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Early Childhood Education Degree
Successful learning begins with exceptional preparation. Depending on your previous education and work experience, you may only need to complete one course, or just a few courses, to take the next step in your career or to meet Early Education and Care (EEC) requirements for a current position. Other roles will require completion of a certificate or degree.
MassBay Education and Human Services | Early Childhood Education | Information →
At MassBay, we model Early Childhood Education (ECE) best practices, to ensure that you:
- Gain a broad understanding of the developmental needs of children (physical, social, emotional, and intellectual)
- Acquire specialized skills and effective teaching strategies
- Benefit from field-based learning experiences
Certification and Licensure Requirements
In Massachusetts there are two departments that certify early childhood educators: The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
EEC certifies the qualifications of educators to work in early education and care settings like childcare centers. MassBay will help you meet the education and experience requirements so you can apply for the following positions:
- Infant-toddler Teacher
- Infant-toddler Lead Teacher
- Preschool Teacher
- Preschool Lead Teacher
- Group Leader for Out-of-School Time
- Director I
- Director II
DESE licenses public school teachers for students in prekindergarten (PreK) through second grade. This license requires completion of a bachelor’s degree and Massachusetts Tests for Education Licensure (MTEL) exams. Students who earn an Associate degree in Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education at MassBay can transfer into a bachelor’s degree program to complete public school teacher licensure requirements.
We encourage you to consult with an Early Childhood Education Department member to determine which of MassBay’s educational offerings can best support your career goals and build upon your work experience. You can also find more information at www.mass.gov/eec and www.mass.gov/doe.
NAEYC Accreditation
NAEYC-accredited early learning programs for children are evaluated on a comprehensive set of indicators in quality in the classroom and beyond. NAEYC Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs uses related standards of excellence, ensuring that college program graduates have all of the key competencies to support young children’s development and learning.
The A.A. Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education and A.S. Early Childhood Education degrees at MassBay are accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, https://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/higher-ed/accreditation. The accreditation term runs from September 2022 through July 2029.
To maintain accreditation, colleges must submit reports every two years on program and student outcomes.
The Latest NAEYC REPORT for MassBay →
Transfer Agreements
The Department of Higher Education has established an early childhood education transfer compact for students transferring from Massachusetts community colleges to public colleges and universities that offer early childhood (pre K-grade 2) public school teacher licensure at the baccalaureate level. Students must complete the courses required for this transfer compact with a 2.75 cumulative GPA. The program prepares students for the early childhood education licensure program at Massachusetts state colleges or university campuses. Up to 60 credits earned by students who fulfill the core requirements may be accepted as transfer credits by the receiving institution.
Our Associate degrees are part of the MassTransfer program
Both early childhood Associate degrees meet the general education requirements for transfer to Massachusetts public universities, which can reduce the cost of tuition.
Inspire future generations — avoid a future filled with loan repayments.
In addition to MassBay’s already low program costs, you may also be able to access grants (funding you do not have to repay) to cover educational costs. Funding is available from a variety of sources including ECE scholarships (awarded annually, with applications due in April). Some coursework may also be offered free of charge through our EEC Career Pathways Grant.
For information about the ECE Scholarship for working early childhood educators, go to https://www.mass.gov/service-details/the-early-childhood-educators-ece-scholarship-eligibility on the Department of Early Education and Care’s website. Applications open in early April for the upcoming academic year.
MassBay’s EEC-funded Career Pathways Grant offers a limited number of classes at no cost, mainly for early educators who want to apply for a new level of EEC certification. Grant-funded classes require a special application, which is available for a limited time period before the beginning of a semester. These classes are restricted to students who meet criteria established by EEC, so registration is done only through the grant coordinator (see below). The EEC Career Pathways Grant also funds Child Development Associate (CDA) Pathways for educators seeking the national CDA Credential for work with infant/toddlers, preschool or family child care. Advising focused on career pathways and professional development is part of the grant-funded services. Contact the Career Pathways Grant Coordinator, Linda Romero at lromero@massbay.edu, to find out more about these no cost opportunities.
Pathways Grant Questions? We are here to help!
Linda Romero, Education Department Chair lromero@massbay.edu | 508-270-4288 Framingham Health Sciences, Education & Human Services Campus 19 Flagg Drive | Office 120G | Framingham, MA 01702
This project was supported by a grant from EEC Career Pathways Grant.
Learn more about our Early Education degree and certificate programs:
Associate in Arts Degree Program
Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education
This program prepares you for transfer into an early childhood teacher licensure program. If you complete the program with a 2.75 GPA or higher, you will meet the requirements for acceptance at any of Massachusetts’ public institutions that offer a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Upon completion of your bachelor’s and MTEL exams, you can apply for a Pre-K through Grade 2 teaching license.
Associate in Science Degree Program
Early Childhood Education
An ideal program choice if you want to begin teaching in community-based early childhood programs or acquire a higher level of certification. Program credits can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education to advance in the field.
Certificate Programs
Early Childhood Education
This program is designed to qualify students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care requirements for teachers in group child care centers.
Whether you are new to the field or currently working in an early childhood setting, these 18-credit program options enable you to quickly meet EEC certification requirements. The program’s 6-credit practicum and seminar can often be completed at your workplace.
Early Childhood Education Certificate
To work with 3-5 year olds
Early Childhood Education: Infant-Toddler Teacher Certificate
To work with 0-3 year olds
Early Childhood Education: Infant-Toddler Teacher
This program is designed to qualify students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care requirements for teachers in group infant/toddler and child care centers. Only EEC-qualified individuals may accept positions as teachers in classrooms serving children ages 0-3 years. A one-semester supervised field work component in an approved infant-toddler center gives students valuable practical experience, thereby supplementing classroom theory and learning.
Whether you are new to the field or currently working in an early childhood setting, these 18-credit program options enable you to quickly meet EEC certification requirements. The program’s 6-credit practicum and seminar can often be completed at your workplace.
Early Childhood Education Certificate
To work with 3-5 year olds
Early Childhood Education: Infant-Toddler Teacher Certificate
To work with 0-3 year olds