The Early Childhood Education Program has earned NAEYC Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs, is validated under the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Articulation Plan and will lead to the associate in science degree. A 30-credit Early Childhood Certificate Program option is also available within the program. The curriculum prepares students for immediate employment in the field as well as for transfer to baccalaureate programs. Graduates of the associate degree program are eligible for admission as articulation students to any of the state’s participating baccalaureate institutions which offer Early Childhood Education Teacher Certification Programs Pre-K-Grade 3, to the University of Connecticut’s Human Development and Family Relations major or to Charter Oak State College’s child studies concentration. Graduates are also eligible to apply for the State of Connecticut’s Preschool Early Childhood Teacher Credential through the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, which is free of charge.

Students must receive a grade of C- or better in each of the Early Childhood Education courses. Practical experience is received by observing and assisting in a variety of early childhood settings and students are required to student teach at the Center for Early Childhood Education laboratory school. Such experience provides opportunities to implement knowledge and skills learned in the college classroom as well as to receive valuable feedback in order to reflect on one’s own growth and competencies as a teacher working with young children.

General Education Core course listings and definitions appear on General Education Core . Additional courses may be required. The suggested sequence for full-time students is shown below.