Next Start |

Online
Find Your Way Forward

Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education Licensure Program

Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of early learners? IWU’s Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education gives you the tools you need to serve the learning and developmental needs and goals of early childhood in several education and childcare settings. Plus, accelerate your learning and your licensure in early childhood education – earn your bachelor’s degree in just over two years – fully online!

Why Pursue My Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Online at IWU?

From field experiences in real-world early learning and development settings to offering early education degrees fully online, IWU has aimed for the highest caliber of a university education experience for more than a century—and online education for more than a quarter century. Today, we are proud to offer the support you need to foster your positive impact on early development—through faculty who bring a practitioner-centered approach to your learning and curriculum aligned to industry standards and best practices. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career. Additionally, your tuition rates are locked in the moment you start. You will experience no tuition hikes for the duration of your program.

What Will I Learn in a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Program?

This online early childhood education degree equips you to have an impact on early learning. You’ll gain the conceptual and applied knowledge needed to develop research-based early learning education programs, as well as an effective assessment approach to learner performance. You’ll also cultivate vital communication, critical thinking, and leadership proficiencies, alongside classroom management skills, and prepare to pursue your ECE certification.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.

Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

Tuition & Aid

66 Credit Hours

...

$395/ Credit Hour

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.

Financial AidTuition Info

Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
What You Will Study in This Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Program

Coursework for your bachelor degree program covers how to:

  • Advocate for the developmental needs of young children
  • Create challenging and supportive research-based learning environments
  • Evaluate and use multiple assessment tools and approaches
  • Demonstrate your competencies in communication, critical thinking, human interaction, teacher leadership and professionalism
  • Integrate Christian principles into your profession and learning

...
After Graduation
Potential Careers

  • Childcare Worker
  • Preschool Teacher Assistant
  • Daycare Assistant
  • Home-Based Service Provider
  • Family Support Specialist


Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements
  • Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
  • Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.
  • Proof of up-to-date TB test.
  • A signed Field Placement Requirement Notification form.
  • Applicants who do not hold a valid license in the field of education will be required to submit a criminal history background check conducted at the applicant's expense. Admission to and/or progression in designated programs will be based upon criteria set in the Criminal History Background Check Admissions Policy.
  • Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
  • NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check and other documentation that is acceptable to the university as part of their application materials, those successful submissions, will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program. All accepted candidates should understand, that at the candidate’s expense, additional background checks, proof of mandated trainings, and/or health related documentation will most likely be required before participating in clinical experiences.
  • Prior completion of at least 48 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education is required before the candidate is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
  • Completion of 120 credit hours.
  • Completion of the required prerequisite and core courses with a minimum grade of "C" and a minimum GPA of 2.75.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (Licensure).
  • Completion of 30 hours of general education requirements as specified (General Education Requirements).
  • Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
  • Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
Program Requirements
  • The BS-Early Childhood Program is a lock-step program. Students who are unable to complete an ECED course or who receive an unsatisfactory grade for their specific program will be allowed to repeat that course with another group of students if arrangements are made with the Registration Change Counselor and the School of Integrated Learning and Development. Tuition and fees will be charged for repeating the course.
  • All BS Early Childhood Education candidates will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana's approved content area examination(s) based on the following schedule, or will be administratively withdrawn from the program:
    • If scheduled for student teaching in September, testing is due the preceding April 1st.
    • If scheduled for student teaching in January, testing is due the preceding September 1st.
Student Teaching and Clinical Experience Requirements
  • All candidates must complete fourteen weeks of full-time student teaching in a P-3 setting.
  • All core course work prior to the required 14-week student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than "C" in each core course to be eligible to student teach.
  • All placements for student teaching will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
  • Removal from a student teaching experience, and/or field experience, may result in the candidate being permanently withdrawn from the program. A grade of "No Credit" will be issued for the student teaching course and a failing grade will be issued for field experience courses.
Completion Requirements
  • Upon completion of the BS Early Childhood Education Licensure Program, candidates will be recommended for P-3 Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the IWU BS Early Childhood Education program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.
divider line with pawprint graphic
Accreditation

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.

Education programs at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th Street, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-223-0077.

Take the Next Step

Ready to jumpstart your career? Apply now! Or, if you have any questions about the program, contact us via the Request Info button.

Request InfoApply Now