Early Childhood Education Program
Bachelor of Arts, Associate of Arts, & Certificate of Completion - 100% Online
“Educating students who will embrace and look out for our young children’s futures and the next seven generations to come.”
- Dr. Sheryl Hammock, BMCC Dean of Occupational Education
Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs are delivered completely online. They are for students who are interested in working with young children ages birth to eight and their families. Students will acquire an understanding of developmental patterns for children birth to eight in such areas as cognition, emotion, social interaction, and physical growth. Students will also acquire knowledge in parent engagement and the necessary skills required to administer an early childhood program. A secondary focus is imparting an understanding of Native American culture as it applies to children in early childhood programs. Hands-on experience will supplement reading and study. The program will give students resource materials and a basic foundation of knowledge. Classroom practicum is also incorporated.
The Bachelor of Arts in ECE is designed to prepare teachers, family service, education managers, and administrators of Indian Head Start facilities nationwide, which is the primary focus of these programs.
The Associate of Arts in ECE is designed to prepare teacher aids in Head Start facilities and for students who plan to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, elementary education, child psychology, or related fields.
This program meets Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) requirements, which guarantees your BMCC credits will transfer seamlessly to participating partner universities statewide.
The Certificate of Completion in ECE is designed to prepare students for the CDA competency exam. Courses will focus on child growth and development from birth to age five, with emphasis on planning a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for children, including strategies in positive guidance.
Employment Information
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Head Start is one of the leading employers for early childhood education, spending over $7,233,541,000 across the nation in 2015. With the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Head Start Act, the Office of Head Start continues to demand staff qualifications and competency requirements for teacher assistants, teachers, management staff, and directors. Requiring Head Start programs to ensure no less than 50% of all Head Start teachers, have a baccalaureate degree in child development, early childhood education, or equivalent coursework. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2016, “employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 4% from 2023 to 2023”. Growth is expected due to a continued focus on the importance of Early Childhood Education and the transition of being kindergarten-ready. (BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2023)
Gainful Employment
Early Childhood Education Gainful Employment Information
See What Our Students are Saying about the Early Childhood Education Program
“Earning my associate and bachelor’s degree from BMCC has supported me as I balanced
being a mother, full time employee, and college student. With the completion of my
degrees, I as able to grow in my profession. I started as a teacher assistant, then
a lead teacher, and now I am currently the Assistant Director of our Tribal Head Start
program.”
-- Elizabeth Smith, Seneca Nation - BA Graduate
Early Childhood Education Program Team
Contact Us
Heather Stelzer
Early Childhood Education Faculty & Department Chair
[email protected]
906-248-8488