Program Overview

Early Childhood Care and Education

The University of Rhode Island's Early Childhood Care and Education program is a fully-online accelerated program designed for working professionals in childcare or elementary education. This program aims to help students complete their bachelor's degree, increase their earnings, and secure employment.

Overview

The program is ideal for those working in childcare or elementary education teachers looking to advance their career. Due to federal regulations, the program can only accept students who reside or intend to practice in the following states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Maryland. An attestation form is required for students who intend to practice in these states.

Courses

The program includes the following courses:

• EDC 326: Early Childhood Curriculum I & Practicum
• EDC 421: Early Language and Literacy Development
• EDC 336: Early Childhood Curriculum II & Practicum
• EDC 424: Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades
• EDC 402: Education with Children of Special Needs
• EDC 328: Home, School, and Community Partnerships
• EDC 461: Assessment in Early Childhood
• EDC 426: Early Childhood Curriculum III
• EDC 350: Primary School Practicum

Admissions

To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following requirements:

• An associate degree (60 credits) at CCRI or an NE community college or a college that has an agreement with URI's School of Education/CEPS; or equivalent academic experience at the college level.
• Minimum GPA of 2.75
• Completion of pre-professional courses with a grade of C or better.
• Meets basic competencies: the RIDE requirement
  • Passing Praxis I
  • OR SAT, Old SAT, or ACT
  • OR Completing Reading (EDC 281), Writing (EDC 282), and Math (EDC 280) or equivalent basic competency courses with a C or higher

Program Outcomes

Through the ECCE Accelerated Online Program, students can:

• Enroll in affordable and fully-online courses
• Work with and learn from professionals in Rhode Island
• Keep their current employment status
• Get support to apply for a Pre K-3 teacher certification
• Increase skills and on-the-job learning competencies required
• Experience flexible practicum placement

Career Opportunities

Professionals with an early childhood care and education degree can pursue rewarding careers as:

• Preschool teachers: creating engaging learning environments, developing age-appropriate curriculum, and nurturing the social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children.
• Childcare center directors: overseeing the daily operations of the facility, managing staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and creating a safe and enriching environment for the children under their care.
• Early childhood program coordinators: planning, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive educational programs for young children, ensuring they meet developmental milestones and adhere to regulatory standards.