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Undergraduate Admissions

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)

College of Education

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What is Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)?

This major prepares you to teach children from birth to grade two. You’ll learn how to teach students subjects like reading and math as well as skills like studying and communicating with others. You’ll learn to assess students to test their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. You'll also work with them to overcome specific learning challenges. 

Our Early Childhood Professional Education Program is an online program uniquely designed for transfer students holding an associate degree in early childhood or a similar field. Coursework is offered online, in the evening, and in a format structured to meet the needs of working professionals. Field and clinical experiences are arranged to meet the geographic and logistical constraints of program participants. This 2.5-year degree program meets all requirements of the Illinois Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Act (ECACE). Two concentrations, licensure and non-licensure, are available.

Career Options

  • Child care
  • Elementary education
  • Parent education
  • Pediatric nursing
  • Preschool education

Post-Graduation Success1

100% employed or continuing education

56% employed after graduation

44% attending graduate school

$52,874 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Danville Community Consolidated School District 118, Community Consolidated School District 59, Chicago Commons, Woodridge School District 68, North Star Child Development Center, Orland Park School District 135, Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96, Chicago Public Schools, University Child Development School, Rockford Public Schools, Community Unit School District 200, Evanston/Skokie School District 65, River Forest School District, Champaign Community Unit School District 4 View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Claremont School of Theology, Saint Louis University View All

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Strong English coursework and performance
  • Interest and experiences related to the major

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention2

3.8 years to degree

97% returned for second year

84% graduated within 4 years

88% graduated within 6 years

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $13,252
  • Fees: $5,182
  • Expenses: $19,558
  • Total: $37,992

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $35,928
  • Fees: $5,182
  • Expenses:$19,898
  • Total: $61,008

International

  • Tuition: $36,970
  • Fees: $5,182
  • Expenses: $19,898
  • Total: $62,050
Undergraduate Admissions
901 West Illinois Street
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-0302
admissions@illinois.edu
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