Early Childhood Education (B.S.)

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to NIU to pursue the B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education enter directly into the major program.

• Admission to teacher education and retention in this major require a university GPA of 2.5.
• Grades of C or better are required in specific major courses.
• Current verification of TB test (required for specific coursework).
• Completion of Safety Tutorial.
• Students must meet all ISBE testing requirements for teacher licensure.

Multiple Options

There are four pathways for students interested in obtaining licensure in Early Childhood Education.

• Earn your B.S. in Early Childhood Education on campus in DeKalb.
• Earn your B.S. in Early Childhood Education at McHenry Community College’s University Center.
• Transfer students are eligible to join an online cohort to complete their B.S. in Early Childhood Education.
• Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree can obtain our Master of Arts in Teaching degree with a specialization in Early Childhood Education.

Recognition

The early childhood education program is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Gateways to Opportunity. Our program is also aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Initial and Advanced Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs and Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Initial Practice-Based Professional Standards for Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators. Students who meet the Illinois Professional Education License (PEL) requirements through our program will be eligible to receive the Gateway to Opportunity Level 5 Early Childhood Education (ECE) credential.

Real-world Learning

The NIU College of Education embeds diverse, real-world learning opportunities in Early Childhood Education, offering you valuable experiences you won't get anywhere else.

• You'll enjoy more than 500 hours of direct experience working with young children in clinical settings.
• If you choose to live in Stevenson Towers' T.E.A.C.H. House, home to students pursuing any area of teacher licensure, you'll interact with teacher licensure faculty as well as peers with similar professional aspirations.
• Our Educate and Engage Program provides hands-on experiences close and far from home.

Coursework Highlights

• SEEC 403 Primary Curriculum (3 credits)
• SESE 240 Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
• SEEC 282 Educational Participation in Clinical Experiences (1-2 credits)
• LTLA 305 Language Development (3 credits)
• LTRE 309 Emerging Literacy and Beginning Reading Instruction through Age 8 (3 credits)
• SEEC 340 The Language Arts and Social Studies for the Primary Child (3 credits)
• SEEC 343 Teaching Science and Mathematics to Children Ages 5-8 (3 credits)
• SEEC 201 Play Development of the Young Child (3 credits)

View full course requirements.

Careers in Early Childhood Education

Our graduates become teachers in preschool through second-grade classrooms; child care administrators; family services workers; parent educators; resource and referral specialists; family child care providers; and intervention specialists.

Job Fair

NIU's annual Educators' Job Fair brings school districts from throughout the state and around the country to interview for teaching positions. Participants are offered open session time with recruiters. It's a great way to practice your professional communication skills and learn about employment opportunities, with the possibility of invitation-only interviews at the event.