Associate of Applied Science -Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood and Education (ECE) Professionals nurture, educate, and care for young children from birth to eight. More than three-fourths of a child’s brain capacity is developed in the first five years. ECE professionals create learning opportunities that stimulate children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth to support optimal development. They are a part of new discoveries every day as children explore their interests, develop their talents and learn the social skills to thrive in our diverse society. If you enjoy interacting with children, helping them explore their world, and discover their potential then a degree in Early Childhood from MACC might be right for you.
Program Information
The MACC Early Childhood Education program prepares graduates to support children and families by providing responsive care and quality education as a teacher/caregiver or director in a childcare center, family childcare home, a Head Start, or Early Head Start program. Successful graduates can also be parent educators, enter public schools as a paraprofessional, or continue their education in this field. MACC Early Childhood Education classes are offered in the evening for the convenience of the working student. The Early Childhood Education program also offers a 32 credit hour certificate, a Certificate of Specialization, and the Child Development Associate credential.
Employment Opportunities
More than 1.4 million people worked in the childcare profession in 2006 and that number is expected to grow faster than average for all professions in the next decade. Many of these early care and education professionals work for other employers, but about 35% of all workers in this profession have the entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy the benefits of being self-employed. The proportion of children being cared for by parents or relatives is expected to continue to decline, spurring additional demand for early care and education personnel.
As formal Pre-K education becomes more widely accepted and desired, employment opportunities will increase in the field. An associate degree will be the entry-level educational requirement for these positions. Qualified persons interested in this work should have little difficulty finding and keeping employment, and those individuals with a college education can typically expect and demand higher earnings. Earnings for self-employed workers vary depending on the number of hours worked, the number and age of the children served, and location.
Academic Map
Early Childhood Educ Degree Map
This academic map is a suggested semester-by-semester schedule of courses based upon the AAS degree requirements as outlined in the academic catalog. In order for you to graduate in two years, specific milestones, courses, and other requirements (e.g. prerequisites) must be met in a timely manner. To ensure that milestone courses are completed, it is important that you, when possible and appropriate, enroll in any needed developmental coursework during the first semester(s) of enrollment. Additionally, enrolling for courses during the summer session is an option and can reduce your regular course load and allow you to stay on track to graduate in two years. Finally, keep in mind this map does not substitute for academic advisement. If you have questions, see your advisor and refer to the MACC website for current information.
Additional Graduation Requirement
Missouri law, included in Senate Bill 807, requires every college student pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a public institution to pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination with at least a 70 percent to graduate. The rule will apply to the incoming class of first-time college students in the fall of 2019 and all students thereafter.
This academic map is not a contract, either expressed or implied, between MACC and the student, but represents a flexible program of the current curriculum which may be altered from time to time to meet the academic objectives of the college. MACC specifically reserves the right to modify, delete, or add to any academic map at any time within the student’s period of study at the college.
Program Outcomes
When students complete an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree at MACC they will be able to: AAS-Early-Childhood-Education. This is our program promise.
Admission Requirements
After completing your MACC Admissions Application, there are additional requirements to major in Early Childhood Education or take classes from the Early Childhood Education Program (those prefixed ECE).
As a professional in Early Childhood Education, you must have on file a current medical exam with a TB risk assessment form or negative TB test results, and you must be registered in the Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR). We require these same documents to enroll in our classes. As a result, you will be ready to enter facilities for field experiences and can be assured of meeting these employment requirements when you graduate.
If you currently work in an Early Childhood Education program; e.g., Licensed Family Child Care, Group Home or Center, or Head Start, you may submit copies of the documents from your employer. If you do not currently work in a program, follow the instructions below to complete the necessary documentation.
Because Composition I and Math are pre-requisites for some of our classes, it is important that you enroll in those courses early in the program.
After completing these requirements, contact Tracy Huang, the Early Childhood Coordinator at 660-263-4100, extension 11284 or tracyh@macc.edu for an advising appointment.
Medical Examination Report for Child Care Providers/Staff & Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment form
Students who are not currently working in a licensed childcare setting must have the “Medical Exam Report for Child Care Providers/Staff” form and a TB Risk Assessment form completed by a physician, registered nurse or county health office.
In some cases where the student has had a recent medical exam form completed for another purpose, it may be accepted. A different form can only be used if it contains the same information:
- Good physical and emotional health,
- Free of impairment due to medication,
- Free of a current drug or alcohol dependency,
- Explanation of physical or mental conditions that might impact the care of children,
- Explanation of any physical restrictions (e.g. cannot lift over 20 pounds, cannot stand for extended periods).
The form must be signed and dated by a physician or registered nurse.
Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR)
Missouri has implemented a statewide Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) for childcare and elder care workers. Once you have applied to be listed in the registry, you do not have to apply again. When an employer (or in our case “employer-by-proxy”) needs to check your Child Abuse and Neglect or Criminal Record, that employer submits an “Inquiry” and your registration is automatically updated.
Please complete the FCSR application online at https://health.mo.gov/safety/fcsr/. This will require fingerprinting through the Missouri Highway Safety Patrol. Instructions can be accessed here. After registration and fingerprinting, please send your name, date of birth, date of fingerprinting to the Early Childhood Program by mail or email ().
If you believe you are currently listed in the FCSR, submit your full name, social security number and date of birth to the MACC Early Childhood Office so that an inquiry can be completed.
* Course formats may temporarily differ because of Covid-19 restrictions
- All courses (except field-placement courses) can be taken virtually
- Some courses have an in-seat option
- Classes are in the evenings and Saturday mornings to accommodate work schedules
- Fieldwork is required
- Monthly attendance is required for field-placement courses (ECE160, ECE170, and ECE290). Weekly attendance is required for summer field placement courses.
FREE HighScope Training*
Free Dual Credit Child Development Associate (CDA) courses for Columbia Public School Students
Tuition assistance available for Child Development Associate (CDA) courses for currently employed teachers*
*If you’re in Boone County you may qualify to take early childhood education classes at MACC for free through the Quality Childcare Initiative!