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Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education Non-Licensure Program

Do you aspire to make a difference in the lives of early learners? IWU’s Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education equips you to serve the learning and developmental progress of young children in a number of education and childcare settings. Plus, accelerate your learning and career goals – 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 higher 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’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Program?

This early childhood education degree online prepares you to have an impact on early learning. You’ll gain 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.

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

54 Credit Hours

...

$398/ Credit Hour

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

Financial Aid Tuition 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’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Coursework for your bachelor’s degree program covers how to:

  • Support developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children in multiple settings
  • Execute a wide range of approaches, tools, resources, and strategies to meet learners’ needs
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the dynamics of diverse families and communities
  • Apply theoretical frameworks to early childhood education practice
  • 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).
  • 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.
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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.

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