Early Childhood Development (ECD) is designed for individuals entering the field of early childhood education as well as for those already employed in the field who want to improve their job skills. Early childhood professionals work in a variety of settings for children ages birth through eight years, including child care centers, Head Start centers, family child care homes, licensed group homes, morning preschool programs, after-school programs, programs for children with special needs, summer camp programs, and parenting programs. The ECD program includes interactive classroom experiences as well as off-site experiences in a variety of nationally accredited child care and early education environments.
Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all of the courses offered for each of the following programs for the grade to be counted toward graduation. With the exception of ECD 101, Introduction to Early Childhood, all ECD students must take the placement test and complete (or test out of) ENG 100 and RDG 100. Students enrolled in lab classes must complete a SLED background check, physical, and TB test before attending lab sites. Please see your advisor about lab site forms and requirements.
ECD programs are not designed for students who wish to transfer to a four year institution. For students who are planning on obtaining a four year degree to teach in the public school system, the most appropriate program is the Associate of Arts degree, although they could also enroll in ECD classes as college-wide electives. They would also need to talk with their advisor about which ECD classes transfer to various four year institutions. For more information, please visit www.midlandstech.edu/futureteachers.