teacher with young students

Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education (ECE) focuses on the academic, social, and cognitive skills that develop in children from birth through third grade. Teacher candidates that do not want to teach beyond third grade are encouraged to pursue the Early Childhood Education program.

Degreed Programs

  • Early Childhood Education
    • Pre-service training in preparation for the class “B” certificate
    • Preparation for work in PreK-3rd grade, Child Development Centers, Head Start Programs, Family Child Care, and child and youth services involving the military

Difference in Programs

Early Childhood Technical Education: Early Instructor
Certification Non-certification
TEP, Internship requirements TEP and Internship NOT required
On-campus, blended and online classesTotally online
124 hours of same early childhood courses124 hours of same early childhood courses
Qualified to teach in public schools Not qualified to teach in public school BUT in early learning programs such Head Start

Certificate

  • Early Childhood Teacher Assistant
    • By taking just 3 courses, your career path can lead to a position such as an Auxiliary Teacher in a Pre-K Program and/or CDA.  Can be completed in ONE semester
      • Courses
        • ER 309 Brain Development
        • ER 310 Principles of Early Childhood
        •  ER 318 Literature in Early Childhood
      • The three classes are not covered by Financial Aid.