Award: Associate in Applied Science Degree
Program Location: Learning Community of North Omaha
This degree prepares students for employment as an Early Childhood Educator or director in a variety of early childhood education settings that serve diverse populations in the state of Nebraska. Learning opportunities are centered on methodologies and current research in the field of Early Childhood. The courses provide a variety of field experiences to help the student be prepared for teaching in the Early Childhood field. Practicum courses include requirements for working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers, in addition to the student’s age choice for the final student teach practicum.
Individuals who are considering going into the field of early childhood education should be aware that Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Check and background checks with the adult and child abuse registries are conducted before students can enter the program and participate in required field experiences that are required in each of the ECED courses. A criminal background investigation and checks of the child abuse/neglect, adult protective services and state patrol sex offender registries will be required of each student in the Early Childhood Education program. Based on the result of the criminal background and registry checks, a student may be prevented from taking courses, accessing field/practicum experiences, or completing the program. A nonrefundable fee of approximately $45 will be assessed to the student’s MCC student account for the criminal background and registry checks and the Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Check is approximately $40 and students must pay this fee themselves
All courses in the Early Childhood Education program require field experience hours within early childhood education settings.
Graduation Requirements
General Education: 22.5
Major Requirements: 70.5
Total credit hours required: 93.0
The following General Education courses are recommended for Early Childhood Educator (ECAS1): Critical Thinking/Creativity & Social/Cultural Awareness: PSYC 1120 ; and Professionalism/Life Skills & Information Literacy: HMRL 1010