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
- Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher
- Preschool Assistant Teacher
- Aide in Public Schools
- Before/After School Care
- Day Care Center Aide
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Tutor
- Paraprofessional
- Recreational Worker
- Camp Counselor
- Nanny
- Special Needs Aide
With Experience and a College Degree
- Public/Private School Teacher Grades Preschool -12
- English Language Learner (ELL)/English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- School/Guidance Counselor
- Social Worker
- Expressive Arts Therapist
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Librarian
- Speech and Language Pathologist
- Early Intervention Specialist
- Occupational Therapist
- Child Life Specialist
- Family Counselor