The early childhood education degree will prepare you to teach and engage children from birth to grade 3 in a public or private setting. This degree will also prepare you for further graduate study. Study under professors who integrate a Christian worldview with the profession of teaching.
This degree might be the right fit for you if you
- enjoy working with young children
- are eager to serve
- enjoy teaching young children
- are interested in a career in education
Why study early childhood education at Northwestern?
You’ll learn professional practices to engage children from diverse backgrounds. Our students develop an appreciation for diversity in the classroom.
The School of Education offers you the opportunity to go to Haiti for one week to learn how different education is overseas. This trip will help equip you to teach in diverse communities. You can also study abroad or take part in our international student teaching program.
Northwestern’s School of Education provides four levels of classroom practicum experience
- The first level allows you to find your personal “fit” within the teaching profession.
- The second focuses on developing theory and skills related to diversity.
- The third engages you to apply methodologies within your chosen field by creating, teaching, and evaluating lessons in a school classroom.
- The final level is full-time student teaching in a chosen licensure field.
The School of Education provides teacher education programs approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. They meet the state standards adopted for licensure programs as defined in state Rule 8710.2000 through 8710.8080. All licensure programs are aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) standards and the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice.
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I was passionate about early childhood, and Northwestern fueled that passion and gave me the tools I needed to be an excellent teacher. I now, more than ever, have a continued desire to learn more about infant/toddler development so I can be effective in what God has called me to do. Teaching is not easy, and Northwestern's early childhood program is not a breeze, but rather it pushes you to excellence. The professors prepared me well, and I am forever grateful for their high standards and encouragement.
Careers in early childhood education
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in early childhood education.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Teaching in your area of specialty
- Private tutoring
- Creating/directing educational programs
- Curriculum development
- Instructional design (technology training may be required)
- Textbook editing
- Online education
- Student life/student affairs
- Corporate or business training and development
What will I learn?
You will develop effective communication skills and be able to teach children in early childhood education programs.
CFD 3205
Child Development
An overview of the growth and development of children from birth through age twelve years. Topics covered include: current research and major theories of child development, personality and temperament. Special attention is given to physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development.
CFD 3309
Facilitating Learning and Development in Young Children
This course is an in-depth study of the growth and development of children 0–8 years. With a focus on research and effective practice, students learn to identify milestones of development, conduct assessments and select strategies to facilitate development and learning for infants and toddlers, preprimary children, children in Kindergarten and children in the primary grades.
ECE 2216
Foundations of Early Childhood Education
The first course in the early childhood program sequence. Students study the rationale of the early childhood education teacher education program and explore developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and its implications for early childhood programs. An introduction to play theory as the center of DAP in early childhood curriculum is also included.
ECE 3306
Infant/Toddler Methods
A study of developmentally appropriate practice for nurturing the growth and development of infants through toddlers, including the interrelatedness of learning environments, materials and behavior guidance techniques.
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Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.
