Licensure

Program Statement

The Early Childhood Education Licensure Transfer program enrolls individuals aspiring to become public school educators of pre-kindergarten through grade 2 children. Students are eligible to transfer as juniors into the Massachusetts Educator Licensure program at a 4-year state or private institution with which the College has an articulation agreement.

Program Information

• Students are required to take 20 courses for a total of 61–62 credits. Program courses include topics in child development, observation and assessment, curriculum, and special needs.
• All students are required to meet 10 general education requirements. All general education requirements are integrated throughout required and elective courses.
• Students should take any required developmental course in their first semester along with EDU 101: College Success Seminar for Education.
• Students should meet with the coordinator of the Early Childhood Education Licensure program prior to registering for courses.
• Students should follow the recommended course sequence provided in the catalog.
• All Early Childhood Licensure students must achieve grades of “C” or better in all subject courses with an ECE designation.
• ECE 261: Early Childhood Licensure Teaching Practicum requires completion of 26 general education credits with an overall GPA of 2.75 or better and a grade of "C" or better in all ECE courses.  ECE 260: Play and Early Childhood Curriculum Planning must be completed in the semester prior to completing ECE 261.
• Courses address the knowledge and competencies required for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students should access the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for specific teacher certifications.
• Students will apply respectful care and educational principles tailored for pre-k-2nd grade children.
• Through one supervised practicum placement in a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensed early childhood education program, students will demonstrate their grasp of these principles and their ability to provide high-quality education.

After Bristol

• Students that complete their practicum experience in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten classroom may apply for preschool lead teacher qualification from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Child Care.
• Graduates of this degree have gone on to become Paraprofessionals in the public-school department.
• Bristol participates in the statewide MassTransfer program and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer. For a complete listing of eligible MassTransfer programs, current Bristol articulation agreements, and to complete an A2B Program Search, visit the Transfer Services website to review which credits will be transferred and applied to your degree. 

Special Requirements

• Students must take ECE 261 Early Childhood Licensure Teaching Practicum, which requires students to teach in a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensed Early Childhood Education Public School. Practicums will take place in a 40-50 mile radius of the Fall River Campus.
• Students should meet with the early licensure coordinator prior to registering for courses.
• Students will be assigned to a Massachusetts Public School, unless they are already working in a Massachusetts Public School, in which case Bristol will make every effort to work with the student’s place of employment.
• C.O.R.I. (Criminal Offender Record Information) and S.O.R.I. (Sexual Offender Registry Information) background checks are required prior to clinical placement and are conducted in accordance with State regulations by both Bristol Community College and early childcare agencies/elementary schools. Students may be required to complete fingerprinting and are financially responsible for any costs associated with fingerprinting.  
• Students that plan to complete a practicum must have a physical examination, Hepatitis B immunization, other immunizations as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and must have a tuberculosis test each year.
• Transportation to fieldwork sites is the responsibility of the student. Students should be prepared to travel up to an hour from campus for these assignments.
• During this program, which requires practicum experience, Early Childhood Education students should be aware that young children are physically very active. Students must be able to move quickly and have sufficient visual, hearing, comprehension, and communication skills to accurately monitor children in their care.