Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood program provides students with hands-on education in a variety of professional positions in child care. Students have the opportunity to participate in multi-sensory, meaningful learning experiences created for toddlers 2.9 to 5 years at our on-site preschool while building employability skills they can transfer to child care or a teaching profession.
Students in this program have access to UMass Lowell Early College courses during their junior and senior years. These tuition-free courses, taught by university faculty during the regular school day, align with the technical program to accelerate progress toward degree requirements. Along with earning college credit, students participate in on-campus experiences that enhance college readiness, connect learning to career pathways, and support a successful transition to higher education. Please refer to the Program of Studies for additional information about Early College.
Highlights
- Hands-on experience participating in our laboratory classroom
- Exploration of child growth and development
- Planning and leading lessons and activities for our preschool students
- Practice in curriculum development and differentiated instruction
- Lesson planning
- Introduction to the responsive classroom style of teaching
- Interdisciplinary team settings
- Employability preparedness
Technical Program Spotlight Video
Career Opportunities in Early Childhood Education
Entry-Level Occupations
- Aide in Public Schools
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Tutor
- Before/After School Care
- Camp Counselor
- Day Care Center Aide
- Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher
- Nanny
- Paraprofessional
- Preschool Assistant Teacher
- Recreational Worker
- Special Needs Aide
With Experience and a College Degree
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Child Life Specialist
- Early Intervention Specialist
- English Language Learner (ELL)/English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
- Expressive Arts Therapist
- Family Counselor
- Librarian
- Occupational Therapist
- Public/Private School Teacher Grades Preschool -12
- School/Guidance Counselor
- Social Worker
- Special Education Teacher
- Speech and Language Pathologist