Welcome
to
the Early Childhood Education Technology program at Meridian Community College.
The Early Childhood Education Technology program provides
preparation for a professional career in the discipline of Early
Childhood Education. This program includes classroom instruction,
supervised child care center/Pre-K lab experiences, and
work-based learning
experiences. Students develop competencies that enable them to provide services, teach, and guide young children, ages birth to
eight. Practice with age and developmentally appropriate
lessons and guidance prepares the students for employment in the
field of early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Education Technology curriculum is a two-year
program that requires a minimum of 70 semester hours of course
work. These minimum course requirements 52 hours in Early Childhood
Education CDT courses and at least 18 hours in general education
courses. Successful completion of the
Early Childhood Education Technology curriculum results in the students receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree.
Student who receive an AAS program degree meet the Mississippi
Department of Health qualifications for child care director. This
curriculum meets the National Association for the Education of Young
Children Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation and
the Mississippi Department of Education Benchmarks for
Pre-Kindergarten (3 and 4 year olds).
Employment for graduates of the Early Childhood Education Technology
Program may include
public, private, or parochial early child care/education settings at
assistant teaching, teaching, and management levels. Work sites may include commercial,
industrial, institutional , recreational, and hospital childcare
settings.
Courses are taught both during the day and in the evenings; however to enroll in night classes, the student
must be employed in a child care center or approved field.
Transfer students from other Early Childhood Education Technology
programs must have a letter of recommendation from the Program
Coordinator at their previous school and take at least twelve (12)
hours or three (3) Early Childhood Education classes at Meridian
Community College prior to enrolling in Student Teaching I and/or
Student Teaching II.
Minimum admission requirements (in addition to general college
admissions requirements):
Attain a 17 composite score on the ACT and a math subtest score of
16;
Or
Score 69.5 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Reading Section and a 42.5 on
the Algebra Section;
Or
Earn a “C” or above in Preparation for Composition (ENG 1203) and a
“C” or above in Introductory Algebra (MAT 1203);
Or
Complete 15 semester hours of program general education courses with
an average of “C” or above at an accredited college or university.
Developmental coursework does not satisfy this requirement;
And
Attend an orientation session with the program coordinator after all
other requirements are met.
All students admitted into the program will be required to pay for
fingerprinting and background checks, which will be done after
admission and prior to clinical laboratories. These fees will be
attached as registration fees. There are certain convictions that
will prevent an individual from being eligible to participate in
clinical experiences. If a student is unable to participate in
clinical experiences, he/she will be dismissed from the program. For
additional information, 
please contact the
Career and Technical Education
counselor or program coordinator.
Progression: To meet graduation requirements for the Early
Childhood Education Technology program,
students must successfully complete the specified courses listed
under AAS Curriculum with a "C" average (grade point average of 2.00) or better. A
grade of "C" or higher is required in each CDT course to progress in
the program.
Admission requirements, curriculum, and other program information subject to change. See your program advisor/counselor for additional information.
Students entering the program for the first time must contact the
program coordinator prior to enrolling in any child development
course.
