Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2)
CompareWhat 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
Transfer Criteria
Transfer HandbookGraduation & 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
