Early Childhood Education Career Pathways Program

You may be eligible to receive scholarship or grant money to help pay for coursework toward your degree in Early Childhood Education!

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Middlesex Community College (MCC) is pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in the Early Childhood Career Pathways Grant, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, which provides funding for students to engage in coursework that leads to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, as well as MA EEC Teacher, Lead Teacher, Director I and Director II certifications.

The grant provides funding for:woman writing

  • College tuition
  • Course materials
  • Fees
  • Tutoring services
The grant also provides a wide variety of supports designed to increase success for all students, including:
  • Academic and career advising
  • Developmental courses in reading, writing, and math
  • Targeted English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. 
  • Courses are delivered through a variety of modalities including weekend schedules, hybrid, online, and traditional face-to-face options.
ECE Career Pathways students have access to all campus facilities, services, and programs including technology labs, civic and service-learning opportunities, student clubs and organizations, veteran's services, disability services, counseling, fitness and recreation centers, and the Asian-American Student Advancement Program.  For more information on what MCC has to offer students, please see MCC's Student Life page.


Grant Eligibility:

Individuals participating in educational opportunities funded by the ECE Career Pathways Grant initiatives are required to demonstrate a commitment to working in the field of early education and out-of-school time. In order to be eligible for funding through the grant participants need to:

  • Have an “active” account in EEC’s Professional Qualifications Registry (PQR) within six months of participating in the grant-funded program and provide their PRQ number to the institution.
  • Be currently either
    • employed in a paid position at an EEC licensed or license-exempt program,
    • intend to secure paid employment in an EEC licensed or license exempt program of at least 20 hours per week, within 6 months of beginning the grant-funded program and with the assistance of job placement support from the college; or
    • be a recent or near future graduate of a Chapter 74 or other high-school based program with the goal of a career in early education or out-of-school time
  • Utilize the ECE Scholarship as a first funding source to pursue an ECE Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, or Master’s degree.
  • Develop or update an Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) to reflect the goals of the grant.  
  • Agree to the terms and conditions of participation, which includes, but is not limited to:
    • Registration in a course or program of study (matriculation not required).
    • Work towards completion of the course or program including maintaining the minimum required GPA.
    • Participation in appropriate academic and non-academic supports which help to promote retention and success.
    • If employed, remaining employed in the field of early education or out-of-school time while participating in the program.
    • Agree to remain in the field of early education or out-of-school time for a minimum of one (1) year upon completion of the program by signing an Attestation to do so; and
    • Sharing necessary demographic program participation data with MCC and EEC, as requested and for the purposes of data reporting.   
Google (Noto Emoji - Unicode 15.0) YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING—
CLICK HERE
to apply or register for a class!

QUESTIONS?  We're here to help you figure it all out—
 
To contact the Career Pathways Grant Director, Nancy Pynchon,
please email 
pynchonn@middlesex.mass.edu 
or call 978-226-8256.


COURSES ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLING!
SEE A LISTING WINTER / SPRING 2024 COURSES OFFERED.
Please visit the MA EEC website to find out more about the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship.



Office of Early Childhood Education Career Pathways logo

 

Last Modified: 3/10/24