Program Overview
The Early Childhood Education program prepares you for a rewarding career nurturing the growth and development of young children in a variety of settings. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work with infants through preschool-aged children, including:
- Classroom management
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Child growth and development
- Curriculum planning and assessment
- Effective communication with children, families, and other educators
- Home, school, and community relationships
- Health, safety, and nutrition
- Infant and toddler care
- Positive emotional and behavioral guidance techniques
- Program administration
- State regulations
Essential skills needed to successfully complete the required coursework, include:
- Ability to maintain awareness of active children in a group setting
- Demonstrate stamina while engaging in multiple tasks and activities with children
- Respond quickly and appropriately to children's changing needs
- Keep children safe
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
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Field Experiences: You will gain more than 240 hours of real-world work experience in the Hawkeye Child Development Center and local Head Start, preschool, and early childhood programs. Field experience must be completed during the day.
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Teaching Portfolio: You will develop a portfolio of teaching strategies and tools to get you started in your new career. Prepare lesson plans, activity packets, teaching aides, and more.
- Classroom Technology: Experience the technology of the modern day classroom, including Promethean interactive whiteboards, iPads and tablets, and laptops.
Flexible Course Schedule
You can take classes during the day or in the evening, or take a combination of both to fit your schedule. Evening hybrid classes are typically eight weeks and offered from 6:00–8:50pm on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Certifications and Licensure
You may receive the following certifications: First Aid, CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens and Universal Precautions, and Mandatory Reporter.
Successful completion of this program qualifies the student to test for license/certification in the state of Iowa.
Hawkeye has not made a determination as to whether the program curriculum meets all other state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification. If you wish to work outside the state of Iowa, please contact the state agency in which you hope to work for details about licensure or certification.
Transfer Information
An articulation agreement allows you to transfer your Early Childhood Education coursework to the Prekindergarten-Grade 3 major including Special Education (Unified Endorsement #100) at Upper Iowa University.
If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.