Early Childhood Education (Bachelor)Bachelor of Applied Science

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program with a major in Early Childhood Education (ECE) requires completion of the College’s Associate of Arts in Teaching program (or equivalent), seven credit hours of additional lower division (freshman and sophomore) courses and 53 credit hours of upper division (junior and senior) level coursework. The seven lower level credit hours required beyond the AAT are GEOG 1303 and Physics 1415 or Chemistry 1405, all of which are included in the College’s general education curriculum.

This program includes hands-on experiences early and often to allow opportunities to apply knowledge, theories, and practices in relevant and intentional ways. Core elements include evidence-based pedagogy, a commitment to equity and inclusion and culturally and developmentally appropriate teaching methodologies. Well-qualified educational professionals, including faculty, cooperating teachers, and field experience supervisors guide and support candidates in planning lessons, classroom management, assessment, instruction, and the assuming the many responsibilities of of teachers. Candidates are continuously provided feedback to help them grow in the profession.

In order to be admitted to the upper-level courses in the BAS ECE, students must:

1. Complete an application to MC or be or be enrolled at MC;
2. Complete the MC AAT degree or equivalent;
3. Have a 2.75 grade point average or better on the most recently completed 60 credit hours of college-level coursework;
4. Submit a program specific application form;
5. Submit official transcripts of coursework completed at other institution(s) of higher education; and
6. Successfully complete an evaluation of the writing sample included in the application and an interview with the program representatives. 

Marketable Skills

Pursuing a degree in this field of study will provide marketable skills in these areas:

• Speaking – Talking to others
• Instructing – Teaching people how to do something
• Learning Strategies – Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things
• Reading Comprehension – Reading work-related information
• Active Listening – Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
• Monitoring – Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
• Social Perceptiveness – Understanding people's reactions
• Critical Thinking – Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
• Judgment and Decision Making – Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
• Writing – Writing things for co-workers or customers
• Active Learning – Figuring out how to use new ideas or things
• Coordination – Changing what is done based on other people's actions
• Complex Problem Solving – Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
• Time Management – Managing your time and the time of other people

Career Opportunities

There are a number of exciting and in-demand jobs for students to begin working as soon as they complete an ATT degree, or even start while they are still in school.

• Teacher Assistant

  These professionals work in classrooms with licensed teachers helping to supervise students, provide one-on-one instruction, prepare learning materials, and complete other assigned duties.
  
  

• Preschool Teacher

  Depending on the state and the responsibilities of the teacher, it may be possible to work with very young students after earning an associate degree in education. Often, these teachers work in childcare centers rather than traditional schools.
  
  

• Substitute Teacher

  Substituting in classrooms gives you hands-on experience as well as guides you into what area you would like to teach.
  
  

• Private School Teacher

• Home School Teacher

• Child Care Worker

  These workers range from daycare providers to babysitters to live-in nannies. There may be no or only minimal education requirements to work in one of these positions but having any degree in education gives candidates an advantage over other applicants.
  
  

• Tutor

  People often become tutors because they have expertise in a subject rather than experience with teaching. Tutors who have both or have a demonstrated ability to impart information are the most in-demand.

Demand

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the job outlook for individuals with an ATT degree will grow in the following areas:

• Teacher Assistant

  Jobs will grow 8% by 2026 and add 109,500 new teacher assistants to the 2016 total of 1,308,100.
  
  

• Preschool Teacher

  By 2026, there will be 10% more preschool teachers than the 2016, totaling 478,500. This projects 50,100 new teachers needed to meet the demand.
  
  

• Childcare Worker

  This is a huge field according to the BLS, with 1,216,600 workers in 2016. By 2026, that figure will grow by 8% and add 84,300 new workers.

• Christa McAuliffe, Teacher, Challenger Astronaut (Bowie State University)
• Gene Simmons, Singer/Songwriter, Record and Television Producer (Sullivan County Community College, Richmond College)
• Krista Allen, Actress (Austin Community College, University of Texas-Austin)
• Kurt Angle, Professional Wrestler, Actor (Clarion University)
• Lowell Thomas, Writer, Broadcaster (Valparaiso University)
• Robert Gallery, Professional Football Player (University of Iowa)
• Judy Blume, Author (New York University)
• Dennis Hastert, Former U.S. Congressman and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lobbyist, Teacher (Northern Illinois University)

Apply for General Scholarships through the Financial Aid Portal

FAFSA Requirement

The student's FAFSA application must be on file with MC Financial Aid to access the Financial Aid Portal and apply for scholarships.

If the student's FAFSA application is not on file with MC Financial Aid, the student needs to complete the FAFSA application, and once processed, will have access to complete the general scholarship application.

FAFSA Information

How to Apply

1. Go to our Financial Aid Portal, by clicking this link: Financial Aid Portal
2. Log in using your SSN and Password. If this is your first time, click the "First Time User" link under the Submit button in the "Log In" box.
3. Click the menu button at the top left-hand corner.
4. Select the Scholarship Application.

For additional scholarship details and deadlines, visit the General Scholarships page.

General Scholarships