Online B.S. Early Childhood Education Degree – Non-Licensure

• 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).
• 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.

• 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.
• NOTE: Applicants need to be prepared to have vaccination records on hand, if requested by an outside facility, to prevent delay of any required Field Experiences. Since this is an “outside” of IWU request, it will be up to the student to be prepared.

• 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.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
• Completion of 30 hours of general education requirements as specified.
• Successfully pass the admission, mid-program review, and program completion gateways.
• Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Program Requirements

• All BS Early Childhood Non-Licensure Program students desiring to move to the Licensure Track must meet all admission requirements from the Licensure Track and must contact the Advising Team to have this requirement verified and completed by the end of their ECED-325 course. Candidates not completing this requirement by the end of ECED-325 will not have the option to move to the Licensure Track at a later date.
• The BS-Early Childhood Non-Licensure 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.

Clinical Experience Requirements

Field experiences are required for several courses in this program.  However, a student teaching experience is not included in this non-licensure track.

• Removal from any field experience may result in the candidate being permanently withdrawn from the program and being issued a failing grade.

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.

The B.S. Early Childhood Education Program (Licensure Track) & B.S. Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure Track) at Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from July 2023 through July 2025. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 1401 H St. NW Suite 600, Washington DC 20005