Education

The Education Division at NICC offers two dynamic Associate of Arts (AA) degrees designed to prepare students for impactful careers in education, with a strong focus on serving Native American children.

• AA in Early Childhood Education: This program is tailored for those interested in working with children from birth through age 8, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in Early Childhood Education settings.
• AA in Paraeducator/Pre-Teacher Education: This degree is ideal for students looking to support K-12 education, with an emphasis on working in diverse educational environments and preparing for future roles in teaching.

Both programs are designed to provide a solid foundation in early childhood education and K-12 settings, with specific courses aimed at preparing students for careers in childcare, as well as roles within various governmental and educational agencies. Additionally, the curricula include general education courses to support a seamless transfer to a four-year degree program.

Students will work closely with their academic advisors to select the courses that best align with their academic and career goals, ensuring a personalized and rewarding educational experience.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

Degree planning forms are designed to help students, with the guidance of their advisors, plan their educational journey. Keep in mind that this is a form to assist with planning, not an official audit of courses. All official degree audits must be run through the registrar's office. 

 

A.A. Early Childhood Education

• Graduates will demonstrate their ability to assist in the instruction of a classroom, working under supervision of the classroom teacher and the ECED Program Administrator.
• Graduates will identify the preferred assessment method at a given school.
• Graduates will illustrate diverse family and community resources.
• Graduates will be able to research early childhood development materials from legitimate data sources and use technology to present their findings.

A.A. Paraeducator/Pre-Teacher Education

• Graduates will demonstrate a theoretical ability to assist in the instruction of K-12 classrooms.
• Graduates will apply knowledge gained by working with students in a K-12 classroom setting.
• Graduates will identify the methods of classroom management that foster a student-centered learning environment.
• Graduates will explain and model critical culturally sustaining/revitalizing pedagogy.

 

Sample Program of Study

 

Career Pathways Flowchart

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (2023)

• 25-0000  Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
• 21-0000  Community and Social Service Occupations

Internships and Job Shadowing Opportunities

Practicum Students- Here is a list of places our students have recently participated:

Scholarship Opportunities

• T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® - Nebraska AEYC- CDA Certificate and A.A. Degree

Articulation Agreements

• Responsive Equitable System for Preparing Early Childhood Teachers (RESPECT) Across Nebraska- Creating pathways to strengthen Nebraska's early childhood workforce (Collaboration between University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska- Omaha, University of Nebraska-Kearney, Metropolitan Community College, Little Priest Tribal College, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Buffet Early Childhood Institute, Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children) 
  • RESPECT Scholars Program towards Bachelors degree at UNL, UNO, or UNK
• Haskell Indian Nations University
  • A+B Pathway in Elementary Education
    • NICC's A.A. Paraeducator/Pre-Teacher Education to Haskell's B.S. Elementary Education
• Bay Mills Community College
  • A+B Pathway in Early Childhood Education
    • NICC's A.A. Early Childhood Education to Bay Mills Community College

Faculty in the Division

 

Testimonials

FAQs

Student Services FAQs

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