Early Childhood Education
Program Length
120 Credit Hours
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts
Learning Experiences
Online
Bachelor of Arts Early Childhood Education
Our new Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree program provides advanced training in early childhood education and student teaching opportunities on a path to working as a teacher in a public or private school, all within a bilingual degree program that works for adult learners regardless of their schedule. This starts with a great education, with multilingual ECE classes and a flexible schedule designed to work for students that work full time, that is built by strong values to build your career on. An ECE degree is a professional qualification that brings you closer to long-term goals and success.
This 120-credit-hour program develops knowledge and practical experience in early childhood education. Learn about Gateways to Opportunity credentials and discuss credential eligibility with an academic advisor.
BA Early Childhood Education Program Outcomes
Graduates of this program will:
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the fundamental principles to teach young children from birth to age 8.
- Understand that all learning for young children must be in safe, respectful, supportive, and challenging environments.
- Adhere to the highest standards addressing content in language arts, reading, children’s literature, mathematics, science, social science, art, music, and drama as well as the application of content through classroom connections to theory, practice, and clinical experiences.
- Understand the roles, goals, benefits, and uses of assessment in classroom instruction.
- Plan instruction that is both rigorous and engaging for children with a curriculum that develops students’ critical thinking.
- Model learning experiences for students that gradually release responsibility to them through guided practice.
- Develop strategies to support English learners, children with diverse learning styles, and children with special needs. Teaching licensure and endorsements require completion of applicable program and state requirements.
ECE Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education requires 120 credit hours, including 58 credit hours in the major. Students complete general education and other degree requirements in addition to their major coursework, with supervised field experiences and student teaching.
An 18-credit-hour minor is not embedded in this degree. Work with an academic advisor to plan any additional minor or endorsement coursework.
Teaching Licensure and Endorsements
Students who complete an approved teacher preparation program, pass the required licensure examinations, and meet current Illinois State Board of Education requirements may be recommended for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL). Early Childhood Education licensure covers birth through grade 2; graduation alone does not grant a license.
Lewis University’s accelerated early childhood program describes preparation for Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and English as a Second Language endorsements. The optional Bilingual Education endorsement requires additional coursework and the applicable target language proficiency examination. Confirm the requirements for your specific pathway with an academic advisor.
See the ISBE teaching endorsement requirements. Licensure in other states is subject to each state’s requirements.
Learn More
Where You Can Teach with an Early Childhood Education Degree
Graduates can pursue opportunities in early learning programs, preschools, and child-care settings. Public-school teaching requires an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with the appropriate endorsement. Candidates must complete an approved teacher preparation program, required examinations, and all applicable state requirements. An Early Childhood Education endorsement covers birth through grade 2. Additional qualifications may apply to special education, ESL, bilingual education, Montessori, or program leadership positions.
Preschool
Development starts at birth, and preschool is a child’s first step in formal education. During this learning period, children learn about “pre-skills” through learning, playing, singing, and more. This helps to create a base on which children can learn lessons when they move on to kindergarten and elementary school. Another big aspect of preschool is socializing, a crucial component we go over in our early childhood education courses. Beyond their immediate family, for many students preschool is the first time they get to interact with other children. This is when they learn valuable lessons about sharing, being kind to one another, and conflict resolution.
Montessori
Built on principles of self-reliance and inherent curiosity that every child possesses, Montessori Schools offer an alternative to traditional education. Due to the focus on “child-centric learning,” the range of children in a classroom can vary. An eight-year-old might learn alongside a four-year-old, and so on. An ECE degree in early childhood education allows you to have unique skills Montessori schools are looking for in early childhood educators. With each classroom having multiple “interactive zones”, each dedicated to a particular academic area, you and your students learn together. You work alongside the students.
Kindergarten
Considered the start of formal education, kindergarten is the stepping stone into the elementary school system. Usually, kids are five to six years old, and most of the lessons focus on peer-to-peer learning. During peer-to-peer learning children are taught important social skills that will be crucial for their entire lives. They also start to learn more complex aspects of math like adding and subtracting. They begin to string sentences together, along with spelling. Kindergarten is a crucial step in early childhood education. A kindergarten teacher introduces more complex lessons to their students and prepares them for elementary school.
