Are you passionate about teaching children in their formative years? If yes, you should consider pursuing the early childhood education specialization.
The ECE specialization refers to the teaching of children 0-8 years old. The education itself encompasses both formal and informal teaching. ECE is crucial in the well-rounded social, cognitive, and emotional development of children.
Besides shaping young children’s development, here are other reasons to consider it:
- Growing demand for qualified early childhood educators. This is due, in part, to the increasing enrollment in K-12 schools and childcare facilities.
- Good compensation packages. ECE professionals earn better pay than before, especially in California and New York.
- Potential for job security. The projected job growth for early childhood educators is as fast as average.
Are you in a hurry to enter the workforce for one reason or another? You should consider programs offering accelerated teaching degrees. You can earn a well-respected ECE degree within a shorter period.
Here, we’ll discuss crucial aspects of fast-track teaching programs, including the:
- Skills you’ll need to thrive
- Program structure
- Certifications
- Career prospects
At the end of the article, you can decide if an ECE career is right for you.
Related:
- Top Affordable Master’s in Early Childhood Education
- Affordable Master’s in Child Development
- Top Specializations for Accelerated Teaching Degrees
- Top Accelerated Teaching Degree Programs in Texas
What Is an Early Childhood Education Specialization?
Programs offering teaching degrees with Early Childhood focus have these major features.
- Train aspiring educators to teach children from birth to age 8. This includes preschool, kindergarten, and the early elementary grades.
- Enable students to develop essential early childhood educator skills. You’ll learn child development, curriculum design, classroom management, and family engagement.
- Emphasize both academic and emotional development among children during the learning process. Early literacy and numeracy skills are as important as social-emotional skills.
- Embedded within elementary or K-3 licensure pathways in teacher prep programs. You’ll meet state teacher certification standards after graduation.
How Accelerated Teaching Degrees Work
Fast-track teaching programs aren’t for every Tom, Dick, and Harry for many reasons. You must be driven and determined to overcome their challenges. When you do, you’ll appreciate their benefits – quality, affordability, and flexibility.
Designed for faster completion
You can earn a bachelor’s degree in 12-24 months, depending on your program.
Available in online, hybrid, and in-person formats
Online accelerated education degree programs offer the most flexible and convenient format. Non-traditional students, such as working professionals, agree. But if you thrive in a blended or an in-person format, you’ll find suitable programs, too.
Often includes intensive semesters, summer coursework, or credit for prior learning
These features enable faster time-to-completion in these programs. But it means you must have effective time management and organization skills.
Ideal for career changers or motivated students ready to teach quickly
Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a non-education field? Do you want to transition into a teaching career quickly? If yes, consider an accelerated education degree program. Be sure to prepare for rigorous courses and fast-paced study.
Program Requirements for Early Childhood Specializations
Every program has its specific eligibility and graduation requirements. So, be sure to check and clarify them first before enrolling.
With that said, accelerated programs have these common prerequisites.
- Have completed general education courses. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college usually suffices.
- Meet minimum GPA standards, such as 2.5 or 3, depending on the program.
- Pass a background check to ensure eligibility for working with children.
A few examples of the core coursework you may tackle are:
- Foundations of Early Childhood Education
- Child Psychology and Development
- Literacy and Language Development
- Inclusive and Special Needs Education
Student teaching or practicum hours are a must for early childhood teaching certification. The specific number of hours varies between states and colleges. But, in general, practicum and student teaching hours range from 600 to 800 hours.
Your training is an excellent preparation for success in the future. For starters, you can meet early childhood teacher requirements, including:
- Passing the mandatory licensure or certification exams.
- Demonstrating your competency in teaching standards.
Suffice it to say that becoming an early childhood educator isn’t an easy path.
Essential Skills for Early Childhood Educators
Students pursuing teaching degrees with early childhood focus develop vital skills.
Soft Skills
You must be patient and empathetic because you’ll be working with young children. Being an effective communicator and a creative person is also a must.
Hard Skills
Technical skills complement transferable skills when teaching young children. Your hard skills must include:
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Observation and assessment
Tech and Tools
Modern early childhood educators must also be proficient in the use of:
- Early learning software
- Virtual classrooms
- Digital storytelling tools
Accelerated programs build these early childhood educator skills quickly through a combination of:
- Didactic courses
- Fieldwork experiences (e.g., practicum and student teaching)
- Classroom simulations
But these skills don’t come on a silver platter either. You must be proactive and deliberate in your skills development.
Top Programs
University of North Dakota (UND)
Online Accelerated B.S./B.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
The program is among the Top 10 accelerated online ECE programs in the country. Students and graduates praise its excellent quality, affordability, and outcomes.
Students in the early childhood education specialization program tackle:
- Fully online courses with asynchronous classes
- A required 60-hour practicum
University of Toledo (UTO)
Accelerated Online B.S. in Early Childhood Education
UTO offers excellent online accelerated teaching degrees to motivated individuals. The 64-credit completion program is among its flagship programs. You can earn the degree in as little as two years.
Eligibility requirements include an associate’s degree and part-time work. Students enjoy the flexible online coursework balanced with fieldwork.
Western Governors University (WGU)
B.A. in Elementary (Early Childhood) Education
The CAEP-accredited program leads to early childhood teaching certification in participating states. Students complete didactic courses and real-world classroom placements.
WGU uses a competency-based, self-paced learning format. Students can complete it in 12-24 months. WGU has a flat-rate tuition (e.g., $8,050 for one year).
Liberty University
B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Online Accelerated)
Liberty offers many fast-track teaching programs, but this is among the licensure-friendly ones. The fully online program has an accelerated 18-month format. Applicants can transfer up to 75% of the credits required.
Students complete 8-week course blocks.
Arizona State University (ASU)
Online B.A. in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Emphasis
ASU emphasizes early childhood educator skills development. The program features a hybrid model with virtual and in-person teaching experiences. Students benefit from the well-established teacher-prep program.
This is among the most affordable programs with about $683/credit in tuition. Students can complete it in 18-24 months.
Career Paths and Job Outlook
Becoming an early childhood educator has its benefits, as discussed below:
Common Roles
An early childhood teaching certification opens opportunities in a wide range of roles.
- Preschool teacher
- Kindergarten teacher
- Head Start program educator
- Early intervention specialist
- Childcare center director
Job Outlook
There’s a favorable early childhood education job outlook, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a stable to growing demand. This is particularly true for public pre-K teachers. The projected growth rate for preschools teachers is 4% (BLS, 2023-2033).
Salary Range
Salaries vary depending on degree level, role, and geographic location. Early childhood educators earn between $30,000 and $60,000 per year, on average.
You can advance in the field and earn higher salaries with further education. Think professional certifications and/or graduate degrees.
How to Choose the Right Accelerated ECE Program
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the many choices in accelerated education degree programs. Making the right choice is crucial to your success as a student and educator. Here are the factors that you should consider in choosing the right program.
Accreditation
Check that the college itself has regional accreditation (e.g., HLC or NECHE). Then, confirm that it has programmatic accreditation. The gold standard is Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation.
State licensure compatibility
Confirm that your shortlisted programs meet your state’s licensure requirements. These vary depending on the state, so always check.
Fieldwork requirements and school partnerships
Look for programs that meet fieldwork requirements, too. The best programs have strong partnerships with local schools, too.
Flexibility (online vs. in-person)
Again, programs offering online early childhood teaching degrees are the most flexible. Choose based on your schedule, obligations, and learning style.
Look for nonprofit, affordable options with strong student support
College is an expensive undertaking. On average, a college student can spend $38,270 per year on direct and indirect expenses. So, looking for affordable options is a must.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there’s real value in pursuing early childhood education specialization. You’ll be able to support children in their formative years and earn good money while at it, too.
Think about making a meaningful impact on young learners throughout your career. Being career-ready also means enjoying more personal fulfillment as an educator.
If you want to enter the teaching profession quickly, consider fast-track teaching programs. You can earn your degree in 1-2 years instead of four years. This means saving on costs, too, and earning returns sooner.
