Becoming Connecticut State Community College
STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. Click here for more details about this merger.
Faculty Contact
Tracy M. Smith-Michnowicz, M.A.
Program Coordinator/Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
tsmith-michnowicz@nwcc.commnet.edu | (860) 738-6305
The Early Childhood Education AS Degree Program at Northwestern Connecticut Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from March 2019 through March 2026. Click here for NAEYC Accreditation Program Outcomes.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program requirements early childhood graduates will know and be able to:
1. Promote and foster appropriate ongoing child development and learning.
2. Build family, staff and community collaborate relationships.
3. Observe, document and assess to support young children and their families.
4. Create and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate learning opportunities for young children in a variety of teaching/ learning environments.
5. Become an engaging, reflective, intentionally practicing professional who demonstrates skills for advocacy.
Coursework
SEMESTER 1
ENG* 101 Composition – 3 credits
ECE* 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education – 3 credits
ECE* 176 Health, Safety & Nutrition – 3 credits
PSY* 111 General Psychology I – 3 credits
MAT* Mathematics Elective – 3 credits
SEMESTER 2
ENG* 102 Literature & Composition – 3 credits
ECE* 103 Creative Experiences for Young Children – 3 credits
ECE* 182 Child Development – 3 credits
COM* 173 Public Speaking OR BBG* 210 Business Communication – 3 credits
Natural Science Elective – 3/4 credits
SEMESTER 3
ECE* 109 Science & Math for Children – 3 credits
ECE* 231 Early Language & Literacy Development – 3 credits
ECE* 210 Observation, Participation & Seminar – 3 credits (recommended to take concurrently with ECE 222)
ECE* 222 Methods & Techniques in ECE – 3 credits (recommended to take concurrently with ECE 210)
ECE* Elective – 3 credits (ECE 102, ECE 141, ECE 206, or ECE 225)
SEMESTER 4
ECE* 215 Exceptional Learner- 3 credits
ECE* 275 Child, Family, & School Relations – 3 credits
ECE* 295 Student Teaching Practicum – 6 credits (consent of Program Coordinator & minimum 2.5 GPA in all ECE* courses required)
HIS* History Elective – 3 credits