Earn a Certificate with MCC’s Early Childhood Education Program

Student success is at the heart of what Middlesex Community College does. As a leader of online learning for over 20 years, Middlesex makes education accessible while keeping students safe and healthy at home. MCC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program offers a Career Pathways Grant to provide funding for professional development experiences necessary for students to advance or start their careers.

“MCC’s ECE department’s programmatic mission is to provide students with the educational background and supervised training needed to work with young children,” said Nancy Pynchon, MCC’s Assistant Director of ECE Career Pathways. “The ECE department is offering new certificates to students working in early childhood education settings."

The ECE department focuses on appropriate child-centered developmental and cultural practices in accordance with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The new Assistant Teacher and the Leadership certificates are in addition to the currently offered Child Development Associate Plus (CDA+) credential – which qualifies students to apply for an Early Childhood Teacher certification.

Students are prepared to provide classroom support for children and other teachers in the Assistant Teacher certificate program. Students are encouraged to apply if they are new to the field and want to gain knowledge and experience.

The Leadership certificate is for students who have at least six months of lead teacher experience. In the program, students hone their leadership skills and gain research-based best practices, professional standards and competencies, and licensure requirements.

The online ECE summer classes – such as MCC’s Health, Safety and Nutrition course – enhanced students’ learning and experience in the early childhood education field.

Michelle McLaughlin has worked in education for over 18 years. Although she has a lot of experience, she learned a lot from the class.

“My professor highlighted each topic so well and really had us dive into the importance of each,” she said. “She was very hands-on and interactive with her students and was there to answer any question we may have had. Aside from simply learning from a textbook, our professor provided incredible articles, PowerPoints and links to help us further our knowledge.”

When Constance Cooper’s summer program was canceled due to the pandemic, she stayed relevant and productive in the field by working towards her Leader Teacher certification.

“I think the pace of the class was excellent and the assignments were planned out to engage us with each other, learn and observe things in our professional environment and to reflect on how things we learn would be applied in our day-to-day professional lives,” she said. “I highly recommend this class and professor and I feel grateful to be able to participate in the program.”

The ECE Career Pathways grant is available for eligible students who are pursuing their CDA and coursework towards their EEC certification. Registration is ongoing and fills up quickly.

Contact Nancy Pynchon at pynchonn@middlesex.mass.edu for more information.

To request fall courses, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0XWNtUAE6s1_yuuHHjbZ6Rqz8Xauw3Tr0cx3C9trtTOF5zA/viewform

To help keep students on track with their goals, MCC offers personalized financial aid counseling, payment plans, flexible course formats and a supportive community.

MCC is offering three incentives to help students continue their education. One incentive offers 50 percent off a first class to students who were laid-off due to COVID-19. The college is also offering 50 percent off a course to new students in celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary. Qualifying students must register by September 10.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/save for participation rule.

To register for Fall classes, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!