Early Childhood Development Certificate Program

Certificate Professional Studies - Early Childhood Education

Current students - log in to BHCC Self-Service to review the most accurate program requirements for your catalog year, or contact Advising & LifeMap for more information. Prospective students - go to bhcc.edu/admissions and contact an admissions counselor.

Semester 1	Credits	Milestone	GenEd	Note	Pre-req	Expand
ECE-103 Child Growth and Development	3
Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown. ECE-103 must be completed in first semester with a C or better to move to other ECE courses in subsequent semesters. All ECE courses after the first semester require ECE-103 to be completed with this grade requirement. Prerequisites: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ENG-095 or ELL-103 or placement
ECE-106 Program Environments	3
Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown. Prerequisites: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ENG-095 or ELL-103 or placement
ENG-111 College Writing I	3
Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown. Prerequisites: ENG-095 and RDG-095, ELL-103 or placement
HUM-120 Self, Culture and Society Elective Career Elective	3
See career elective options in semester note.
Total Credits:
Semester 1 Advising Note: CORI/SORI/fingerprints after acceptance to program, before practicum course can be completed are required of all students in program. Those with concerns about this requirement should see the College’s CORI officer before beginning the program. ECE-103 and ECE-106 are courses required to be certified by Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC). No other developmental Psychology courses may be substituted for ECE-103. Only ECE-103 is allowed for this degree plan and others will not be counted toward qualifications for certification by Massachusetts DEEC. Career electives: ECE-108, ECE-151 through ECE-168, ECE-207, ECE-209, ECE-210, ECE-223, EDU-102 or INT-123

Semester 2	Credits	Milestone	GenEd	Note	Pre-req	Expand
ECE-101 Guidance and Discipline in ECE	3
Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown. Prerequisite: ECE-103
ECE-104 Curriculum in ECE	3
Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown. Prerequisite: ECE-103
Total Credits:
Semester 2 Advising Note: ECE-101 and ECE-104 may not be taken unless student has received a C or better in ECE-103 in previous semester. Students without C or better in any ECE course will be barred from practicum until this measure is completed. ECE-101 and ECE-104 are courses required to be certified by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Apply for graduation

Last Modified Date: September 28, 2021

Approved for the 2021-2023 College Catalog

Upon Completion of this Concentration Graduates will be able to:

Use knowledge of child development and relationships with children and families to understand children as individuals and plan for their unique development by organizing environments which facilitate development in all developmental areas.
Design and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences using methods and materials which promote growth and development.
Work with parents, families, and community leaders to support growth and development of children by engaging each child in meaningful experiences.
Observe children in their care to analyze and synthesize information about those children so as to improve their work with children, families, and communities.
Analyze, evaluate and strengthen their work with children by reflecting upon effective practices and collaborating with other professionals in the field.

Career Outlook

Graduates of this program qualify as teacher’s aides in the State of Massachusetts. For more information on minimal requirements for employment, contact the Department chair.

Criminal Offender Record Information and Sex Offender Registry Information Checks

As a prerequisite for a clinical placement in the Childhood Development Certificate Program, all students must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. These checks are required due to potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly during a clinical experience. Students found to have certain criminal convictions or pending criminal actions will be presumed ineligible for clinical placement. The College is authorized by the Commonwealth’s Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 167-178 B, to access CORI records. Sex Offender checks shall be performed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178P.

For more information regarding the College’s CORI/SORI check process, please contact the College CORI/SORI Officer at 617-228-2193.