School of Education
Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 3
School of Education
Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 3
- Bachelor of Science
- Undergraduate
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.
Northwestern’s Child Development Center (CDC) is on site. The CDC serves as a professional hands-on development school for the early childhood education program.
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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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
Who employs people with this degree?
- Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Centers and Headstart Programs
- Schools of all kinds-public, private, charter, international, government, residential (Kindergarten—Grade 3)
- Daycares, nursery schools, preschools
- Parks and Recreation departments
- Educational testing companies
- Curriculum/educational publishers
- School district offices
- Educational research firms
- Universities and colleges
- Employee training programs
- Youth camps and youth programs
- Social service agencies, homeless shelters, and adoption agencies
- Children’s bookstores
Strategies for success:
- Requirements for certification/licensure vary by state; multiple certifications will increase employability. A master’s degree will increase earning potential.
- Be willing to work hard at finding a job and to go where the jobs are.
- Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience with the age group you intend to work with in various settings: pre-schools, daycares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA’s, etc.
- Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to broaden skills, interests, and opportunities.
- Identify transferable skills learned in teaching applicable to other careers: written and verbal communication, teaching and instruction, program planning, organization and record keeping, working under pressure and meeting deadlines, motivational skills, creativity, working autonomously, decision-making, problem solving.
- Assume leadership roles and actively engage in activities to develop leadership skills in your field.
Professional associations:
- American Educational Research Association
- American Federation of Teachers
- Association for Experiential Education
- National Education Association
- US Department of Education (listing of associations)
- Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MNAEYC)
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
- Division of Early Childhood (DEC)
- National Head Start Association (NHSA)
97%
of seniors feel faculty set high, clearly stated expectations
Participate
in our intergenerational learning program at Northwestern's Child Development Center
Program
meets licensure requirements for the Minnesota Board of Teaching
What will I learn?
You will develop effective communication skills and be able to teach children in early childhood education programs.
Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
Our team is ready with answers!
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