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Liberal Arts & Education
Early Childhood Education Programs
Working with children is a wonderful career choice! Providing children with love, attention, energy and resources not only awakens their spirits, but is a magical force which creates meaning in their lives. Eighty percent of a child's basic lifelong skills are acquired by the age of eight; early childhood professions are some of the most fascinating career choices students can make! Early childhood professionals in this country have a tremendous influence on how children think, feel, act and interact, and how they succeed in life as adults. The efforts put forth by these childhood educators plays a huge role in nourishing and nurturing the larger communities in which we all live. Northeastern gives students the opportunity to begin (or finish) a professional career in the early childhood professions. An Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science Degree or certification in one or more programs may be earned. Our early childhood program is very flexible. Students working toward a bachelor degree in another area (i.e. psychology, sociology, and physical therapy) or who seek to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in elementary education often take early childhood courses as electives. Students can take the coursework necessary to become group leader qualified or director qualified. This provides them the necessary credentials to find employment while continuing to pursue a four-year degree. Two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree This degree prepares individuals to meet the requirements for a variety of positions within early childhood programs. Individuals completing this 60-credit-plus program will be infant and toddler nursery supervisor and group leader qualified. These individuals will be able to independently implement program activities and be responsible for the care and education of a group of children. Upon completion of the work requirements, students become director qualified in the State of Colorado. Early Childhood Teacher Assistant This one-year program prepares individuals to serve as aides in the care and education of young children in various private and public settings. These paraprofessionals will implement program activities under the supervision of a teacher or group leader. A Northeastern Junior College Certificate is awarded upon completion. Group Leader Certificate The Group Leader Certificate is designed for individuals who have nine months or more of verified work experience with young children and wish to establish State of Colorado group leader qualifications. The work experience must be in the care and supervision of four or more unrelated children less than 6 years of age. Director Certificate The Director Certificate is designed for individuals who have 24 months or more of verified experience with young children and wish to establish director qualifications with the State of Colorado. The work experience must be full days working directly with children in a child development program. Nanny Certificate This program is designed to professionally prepare and enable students to be in-home child care professionals working as a member of the family team to provide the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of one or more children. Job Placement NJC instructors network extensively with area business and industry. As a result, job placement for students completing early childhood education programs is excellent, especially for those willing to relocate. Ask about this when you visit with the program director. Why choose Northeastern? First and foremost, our unique on-campus early childhood education program allows students to teach in hands-on environments under the direction of master teachers. Students can put what is learned about theory in the classroom to the test. Group settings include children from age 12 months to three years; children are served in a playgroup setting and those two-and-a-half-years to six years of age participate in a full-day program. Students with special needs are also included in the programs. NJC students have the opportunity to actually observe and teach children both freshman and sophomore years. Your Next Step? Want to know more? Then it's time to schedule a campus visit to talk with the Early Childhood Education coordinator about our associate degree and certificate options. Visit campus to see the instructional facilities and really get a feel for what the early childhood education encompasses. Contact: Donna Brady-Lawler Early Childhood Assistant Professor/Coordinator Liberal Arts Division Northeastern Junior College 100 College Avenue E.S. French Hall 109 Sterling, Colorado 80751 (970) 521-6725 Donna.BraddyLawler@njc.edu |