Degree Requirements
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

All early childhood courses, except Eced 101, require practicum experiences in a variety of child care settings, including Head Start, public school, private day care centers, and early intervention programs.  The experience may include interaction with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and primary-aged children.
Student teaching is a 10-week experience spent in a childcare setting five days a week, working with a cooperating teacher and the college supervisor.  A seminar, held bi-monthly, covers issues and topics pertaining to early childhood education and the student teaching experience.

All education majors are required to join the National Association for the Education of Young Children www.naeyc.org. Students also need to participate in a professional development event each academic year, such as an early childhood conference or workshop. Students who desire to continue and obtain a four-year degree at the Erie campus will need to meet sophomore review requirements, pass required PRAXIS exams and have a 3.0 G.P.A.  For more information visit mercyhurst.edu/education.  

Students must earn an overall 2.0 Q.P.A., along with an overall grade of 2.7 in all major courses, to meet graduation requirements. A minimum of 63 credits is required for the completion of this associate degree program. Department and community service hours are required of all students and must be fulfilled prior to graduation; 120 service hours are required throughout the two academic years.