Northern Illinois University
Department of Special and Early Education
College of Education

This online Early Childhood Education cohort is specifically designed for transfer students from Illinois community colleges and will allow students to earn their early childhood education degrees and teacher licensure without attending classes on NIU’s main campus.

Program Overview 

• All required courses will be offered online, primarily as evening synchronous sessions.
• Full-time students can complete the program in 2.5 years.
• Program graduates will be licensed to teach preschool through second grade in Illinois schools. Graduates will also earn Bilingual/ESL approval and approval to teach special education at the preschool level to bolster their résumés.
• Students will complete two clinical experiences and one semester-long student teaching experience. These experiences will be in person, during the day, at a school district within 50 miles of NIU’s main campus in DeKalb.

Admission Requirements

• Must be eligible for admission to NIU.
• Must be a transfer student from a community college in Illinois.
• Must have completed an associate degree OR must have completed enough Early Childhood Education pre-program courses to feasibly complete NIU’s program in 2.5 years. 

Online Information Session

The NIU Department of Special and Early Education is hosting a virtual information session at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, for students to learn more about this opportunity. Register for the session to receive the Zoom meeting link.

If you are unable to attend one of our virtual information sessions and are interested in participating in the fall 2024 online cohort, please fill out our interest form and we’ll be in touch soon.