Greenfield Community College

The Greenfield Community College (GCC) Associates Degree program "provides a strong background in early childhood education and liberal arts. The curriculum integrates coursework with direct experience in a variety of early childhood settings." Graduates of the program may work as a professionals with Lead Teacher Certification from the Department of Early Education and Care in various early childhood settings or transfer to a Baccalaureate program as preparation to teach in preschools and to work as a paraprofessional in early elementary schools. GCC offers Infant/Toddler Certificate programs as well as a 2+2 option to continue to a Bachelor's degree with Elms College on the GCC Campus.

Highlights:

• GCC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for the ECE associate degree program which meets the Professional Preparation Standards for programs preparing early childhood educators.
• GCC offers a "Licensure for Early Childhood Educators" (LEC) for a total of 15 credits which provides the coursework for EEC Lead Teacher certification, along with the requisite hours of experience for educators already in the field.
• GCC receives Early Educator Support (EPS) Grant’s sponsorship for subsidized Workforce Development coursework and advising for the ECE and OST Workforce. 
• Excellent transfer options: GCC's Liberal Arts Option and ECE Degrees align with Mass Transfer.
• GCC is the smallest of the 15 community colleges and is known for small class size as well as its caring and supportive faculty and staff.

Degrees Offered:

• Associates in Science in Early Childhood Education
• Associate of Arts (Liberal Arts Option): Education
• 2+2 Bachelor's Degree option to complete 4 year degree in Early Childhood Education (for work in community based programs) with Elms College on the GCC campus at a discounted and accelerated rate.

EEC Certifications:

• GCC graduates ECE degree students eligible for Lead Teacher certification by the Department of Early Education and Care.
• Infant Toddler Teacher and Lead Teacher I/T Certification.

Formats offered:

• Traditional 
• Online
• Evening

Supports:

• Evening and online advising
• GCC student support areas include the library, peer tutoring program, and educational technology services as well as extensive credit-free programming. GCC offers supports for English Language Learners and Tuition Advantage Program.
• GCC offers peer tutoring offers students the opportunity to look at how they learn. In addition, GCC offers online tutoring support with Smarthinking, Inc. for all its students.
• GCC has over twenty clubs that offer countless opportunities for individual and group development and they represent the most visible and accessible avenue to student involvement on a college campus. Additionally, student clubs reflect the diverse interests and activities of GCC’s student body.