Early Childhood Education Program

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Delivery Options:
Onsite
Degree Type:
Associate of Applied Science Degree, Certificate of Technical Studies, Certificate of Applied Science
Program Length Once Accepted To Program:
4 Semesters
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Why Pursue Early Childhood Education?

Entering early childhood education lets you shape young minds during their most formative years. You’ll foster growth, make a lasting impact and enjoy a fulfilling career. Benefit from small class sizes, an evening schedule and one-on-one instruction so that you can continue to work—all without leaving Great Falls. This pathway also will allow you to earn a certificate of technical studies after the first semester, a certificate of applied science after two semesters and an associate of applied science after four semesters.

Graduates are prepared to:

  • Understand young children’s characteristics and needs.
  • Recognize multiple influences on development and learning.
  • Create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.
  • Understand, family, and community characteristics.
  • Support and empower families and communities through respectful relationships.
  • Involve families and communities in children’s development and learning.
  • Understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment.
  • Use observation, documentation and appropriate assessment tools.
  • Understand and responsible assessment.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate meaningful curriculum
Photo of young children in a classroom.

Types of courses

Course Code Course Title
EDEC 108 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
EDEC 203 Guiding the Young Child with Lab
EDEC 247 Child and Adolescent Growth and Development
EDEC 268 Administering Early Care and Education Programs
View Complete Course List

Career Opportunities

Job Title Average Wage Annual Job Openings Expected Growth
Preschool Teacher MT: $31,000/yr
US: $35,330/yr		 MT: 90
US: 63,100		 MT: 16%
US: 15%
Kindergarten Teacher MT: $46,340/yr
US: $60,490/yr		 MT: 60
US: 14,200		 MT: 2%
US: 4%
Emily Hurt, GFCMSU alumniHead Start teacher
Emily Hurt, GFCMSU alumniHead Start teacher

The reason I decided to do this program is to get my associate’s in Early Childhood Education and expand on my own professionalism in early childhood. … I love this age because they are babies, and I love babies. You can see the growth, a steep growth development age.

Emily Hurt
Early Childhood Education Student

Additional Program Information

Early Childhood Education Program In The News

Great Falls College announces fall Dean’s List honorees

187 recipients from 41 Montana communities…
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Photo of Kaelyn Bray

A Promise Kept: Kaelyn Serene Bray’s Legacy Lives On Through Scholarship and Child Advocacy

Sixteen years after her death, Kaelyn’s memory continues to protect children and strengthen families in Great Falls….
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Instructor placing a cape around the neck of a student of the Early Childhood Education program.

First Early Childhood Education students graduate from Great Falls College.

Great Falls College’s Early Childhood Education program graduated its first cohort of three students this semester….
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