Study Early Childhood Education in Massachusetts
Childhood is a crucially important time in human development. Kids from birth to eight years – the range of early childhood education – grow leaps and bounds from physical, cognitive, and social standpoints. And while much of that growth is facilitated at home, school plays a critical factor in child development.
As an early childhood educator, you can have a significant, positive effect on kids. In Massachusetts, you can do so in urban and rural areas, preschool settings and elementary schools, and many points in between.
However, you need the appropriate education and training before you dive into working as an educator. Below is a list of some of the best early childhood education programs Massachusetts has to offer.
Merrimack College
Merrimack College is on the outskirts of Boston, which means you can study in an intimate, private school setting while enjoying all the benefits of big city life. The college was founded in 1947 to educate World War II veterans. But today, it’s one of the fastest-growing schools in the nation and boasts more than 100 career-focused programs to prepare you for your future.
As a small school, Merrimack offers you the individualized attention you need to succeed. This includes small class sizes, a low student-to-faculty ratio, and access to one-on-one support services like tutoring, career counseling, and academic advisement. No matter where you turn, you will find someone to help you get the most out of your education!
Early Childhood Education Program Information
The 124-credit Early Childhood Education bachelor’s program at Merrimack College trains you to work with children in pre-K through second-grade. It is a licensure track, so once you graduate, you will have the knowledge and skills to fulfill the requirements for a teaching license in Massachusetts.
The curriculum is divided into four sections: general education requirements, major requirements, subject matter knowledge, and practicum. The general education requirements are the basic courses you take to get a well-rounded education, like lab sciences, history and the arts, and math.
The major requirements focus on early childhood education topics, like:
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education
- Child Growth and Development
- Positive Learning Environments and Behavior Interventions
- Teaching Mathematics & Technology
- Diversity, Social Justice, & Ethics
Subject matter courses focus more specifically on English, history, and math. STEM courses can also be a part of your subject matter studies.
The last component of this program is the practicum. There are actually multiple practica, including three pre-practica experiences prior to the full practicum field placement. These field experiences give you hands-on opportunities to learn in a real classroom with real students under the supervision of a qualified early childhood teacher.
To apply, you must fill out the Common Application and provide official high school transcripts as well as a Common Application Secondary School Report (SSR). You must also submit one letter of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher.
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
The University of Massachusetts at Amherst is New England’s largest public research university. With more than 28,000 students, UMass offers incredible diversity in its student body and its faculty members. That diversity extends to the programs the school offers as well – you can choose from more than 200 degrees and programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Though UMass Amherst is in a rural area in western Massachusetts, the campus and surrounding city have a distinctly young and eclectic vibe. In fact, Amherst is widely regarded as one of the best college towns in the nation, so as a student, you get a college experience that includes rigorous studies, plentiful recreational opportunities, and social engagements both on and off campus.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
At UMass Amherst, you can enroll in a Bachelor of Arts program in Early Childhood Education that prepares you to teach in public and private settings as a licensed teacher. This is a typical four-year undergraduate program offered on the Amherst campus, with the first two years focusing on general education courses and the final two years focusing on early childhood education courses.
During your junior year, you will focus on level one ECE classwork. These introductory courses give you insight into child development, teaching strategies, and diversity issues, among others. You will take courses like:
- Math/Science Methods PreK-2nd Grade
- Digital Tools & Apps for 21st Century Students
- Principles and Methods of Teaching Science in Elementary School
- Teaching and Learning with Technology
- Principles/Methods of Mathematics PreK-6th Grade
Your senior year focuses more on experiential learning. You will complete a practicum experience in a pre-K or kindergarten setting, then you’ll participate in a student teaching placement in a first or second-grade classroom.
You must fulfill the following requirements prior to applying to this program:
- Pass Math 113, 114, and Human Development 270 with a grade of B or higher
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Earn a passing score on the Communication and Literacy component of the MTEL – Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (this is not a requirement, but you’ll receive preferred admission by doing so)
The application process is straightforward. Simply submit the following:
- A Common Application
- An $85 application fee
- Official transcripts from high school and any college coursework you’ve completed
- One letter of recommendation
You can also submit ACT or SAT scores, though neither are required.
MassBay Community College
MassBay Community College was founded in 1961 as one of fifteen community colleges in the state. Its location near Boston makes it an ideal option if you live in the area. Its easy-to-access location has driven its growth over the years, and today, enrollment stands at around 6,000 students. With part-time and full-time programs, you can get your degree in a flexible format that meets your specific needs.
MassBay’s commitment to an affordable, high-quality education pays off, too. The Brookings Institution named MassBay the top community college in the state for value added. In other words, you can expect to earn more after you graduate while paying less for your education in the first place. This commitment to academic and occupational success has also helped MassBay earn a number two ranking among community colleges in New England.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
If you want to work with kids in a preschool or daycare setting but don’t want to pursue a four-year degree, MassBay’s Early Childhood Education Associate’s Degree program is for you. This two-year program gives you the option of pursuing an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science. In both cases, you will take classes like:
- Child Development
- Integrated Science
- Computers and Technology
- Critical Thinking
- Early Childhood Curriculum
Both degrees also lead to future certifications and degrees. For example, the credits you earn can apply toward a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in early childhood education. Likewise, both programs qualify you for certification as a Child Care Teacher or Lead Teacher in Massachusetts.
MassBay also offers two certification programs: Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education Infant and Toddler. These programs focus specifically on working with children from birth to three years of age and can be completed in as little as one semester.
To apply, you must have a high school diploma or GED. You will need to submit high school transcripts and transcripts from any colleges or universities you’ve previously attended.
Boston University
Boston University is one of the most respected colleges in the nation. This is evidenced by its many accolades, including ranking as the 27th-best U.S. college and ranking 20th in the nation for excellence, equity, and employability. BU also ranks 38th in the nation for economic value and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.
BU is a large school with more than 36,000 students. Its location in Boston means that the off-campus experiences you can explore are every bit as diverse as those on campus. While you are on campus, you will enjoy small class sizes, an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, and the ability to work in one of nearly 1,500 laboratories. You can also study abroad in one of the university’s more than 75 international programs.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
If you have experience in early childhood education but want to supplement what you have already learned, Boston University’s Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is an excellent choice.
This is a 46-credit program that takes anywhere from three to six semesters to complete, depending on if you study full-time or part-time. It’s an in-person program, though some courses are offered online to give you enhanced flexibility for completing the program.
While enrolled, you will explore many different and advanced topics in early childhood education. This includes taking courses like:
- Role of Play in Early Childhood Education
- Topics in Child Development
- Early Childhood Mathematics
- Introduction to Early Childhood Disabilities
- Reading Development, Assessment, Instruction
There are three field placements as well. You will begin with a 100-hour supervised practicum in early childhood that focuses on curriculum. Then you will participate in a preschool curriculum and fieldwork practicum. An early childhood seminar and practicum – which requires 300 hours of supervised classroom experience – rounds out the field placements.
Since this is a master’s degree program, the application requirements are more stringent than the other programs on this list. The requirements are as follows:
- Complete an online application to the BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
- Pay a $95 application fee
- Submit:
- A Statement of Qualifications and Objectives
- An Equity and Inclusion Statement
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
Early Childhood Education Work Opportunities in Massachusetts
Whether your dream is to work with pre-K students, elementary students, in a private school, or in a public school system, Massachusetts has what you’re looking for.
This is a highly populated and diverse state, and qualified early childhood educators are needed from the western mountains to the shores of Massachusetts Bay. In fact, well over 900,000 students are enrolled in public schools in the state. And while that’s the total for all grades, there are still over 215,000 students in pre-K through second grade.
With a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you can work as a classroom teacher in a public school in Boston, a private school in Amherst, or perhaps even work for a city or state organization as an early childhood education consultant. If you choose to get an associate’s degree, you can work in preschools throughout the state as a lead teacher.
In other words, Massachusetts has ample opportunities to work in this field. Once you have the proper training and experience, the only thing left to do is begin applying for jobs!