Master of Arts in Teaching
in Early Childhood
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts in Teaching
Stand Out in your calling.
Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood
Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood
Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood
+ Birth - Grade 3 Inclusive Teaching License
August 26
NEXT START
With classes starting every 8 weeks.
33-44
CREDIT PROGRAM
Earn your Master's degree and teaching license.
Online
COURSEWORK
Complete your coursework 100% online and asynchronous.
$360
COST PER CREDIT
Earn your degree at one of Iowa's most affordable programs.
Looking for initial licensure?
Looking for initial licensure?
Looking for initial licensure?
With Northwestern's Master of Arts in Teaching, you'll earn initial licensure, even without having a bachelor's degree in education.
This graduate degree program is for those with a bachelor's degree seeking a pre-service teaching program that leads to an early childhood teaching license with a birth through grade three inclusive setting endorsement. This program provides an opportunity for career changers to transition into education by earning initial licensure with a master's degree. The endorsement enables candidates to teach in early-grade classrooms that include students with IEPs.
Earning a graduate degree doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Northwestern College's online Master of Arts in Teaching program allows you to log into class each week and complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you.
Take one online 8-week class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you'll finish your M.A.T. in 2 years or less and be eligible for financial aid.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you teach or plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a low-income area.
TEACH Grant information
Tuition + fees
Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover resources that may help you finance your bachelor's degree, master's degree, endorsement or certificate with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost.
Financial aid information
Alumni Grant
The Education Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed their undergraduate education degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Education degree online at NWC will receive their first class tuition-free. Students can choose from any of the M.Ed. program track offerings and are eligible if they meet the following criteria:
- Graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood, elementary education or a secondary education endorsement.
- Pursuing a Master of Education degree (graduate-level endorsement programs or individual courses do not qualify).
Additional resources
Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here, you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward.
Additional resources
The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you teach or plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a low-income area.
TEACH Grant information
Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover resources that may help you finance your bachelor's degree, master's degree, endorsement or certificate with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost.
Financial aid information
The Education Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed their undergraduate education degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Education degree online at NWC will receive their first class tuition-free. Students can choose from any of the M.Ed. program track offerings and are eligible if they meet the following criteria:
- Graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood, elementary education or a secondary education endorsement.
- Pursuing a Master of Education degree (graduate-level endorsement programs or individual courses do not qualify).
Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here, you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward.
Additional resources
Application requirements
Application requirements
Application requirements
No GRE required. No application fee.
No GRE required. No application fee.
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
Official transcripts showing a degree from an accredited institution.
- Official transcripts are needed from your bachelor's degree institution.
- No undergraduate transcripts are required of NWC alumni.
Degrees from colleges accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education [ABHE] or affiliated with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges & Universities [TRACS] will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Send official transcripts to onlineadmissions@nwciowa.edu or Northwestern College, Graduate & Professional Studies, 101 7th St SW, Orange City, IA 51041.
Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants with a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 may be eligible for conditional admission.
Program requirements
Program requirements
Program requirements
Throughout this online 34-44 credit MAT program, you will develop the knowledge and skills to effectively teach children from birth through third grade, while also gaining hands-on experience through student teaching placements.
Throughout this online 34-44 credit MAT program, you will develop the knowledge and skills to effectively teach children from birth through third grade, while also gaining hands-on experience through student teaching placements.
Throughout this online 34-44 credit MAT program, you will develop the knowledge and skills to effectively teach children from birth through third grade, while also gaining hands-on experience through student teaching placements.
33-44 credit program
33-44 credit program
33-44 credit program
10 core courses (30 credits):
10 core courses (30 credits):
10 core courses (30 credits):
EDU505 - Collaboration and Advocacy in the Early Childhood Community
(3 credits) Examine characteristics of the diverse cultures and structures
prevalent
in American families, and how those factors influence children's growth
and development. This course emphasizes strategies to improve
collaboration with families, schools and community partners to improve
students' success outcomes.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU525 - Advanced Child Development
(3 credits) Intensive study of typical and atypical development of children
from
birth through age eight. This course will immerse you in research that
will improve your ability to facilitate the cognitive, emotional,
physical and social development of young children with diverse abilities
and needs.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU530 - Leadership of Early Childhood Programs
(3 credits) Thorough examination of roles, responsibilities and
characteristics of
effective leaders of early childhood programs with a focus on personal
growth in leadership and communication. Emphasis on identifying areas of
strength and need in programs and staffing to create opportunities for
improvement.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU535 - Strategies for Early Literature Development
(3 credits) Examine widely accepted theories of language, reading and
writing
development in young children. Use research and assessment data to
identify curricula and instructional strategies most suited to the
diverse needs of young children. Examine research and develop strategies
to leverage play in providing successful literacy instructional
experiences.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU540 - Teaching Young Children with Diverse Needs
(3 credits) Students will learn to design curriculum, instruction and
assessment
specific to the needs of diverse children ages 0 through 8. Create safe
and nurturing classroom environments that are developmentally appropriate
and respect diversity. Collaborate with stakeholders to meet the needs
of young children.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU560 - Curriculum and Assessment for Student Learning
Through a process of discussion, reflection, reading, discovery and practice, this course will lead students to a more comprehensive understanding of how curriculum and assessment are interrelated. Students will delve into timely issues associated with curriculum and assessment affecting schools. Upon completion, students will be prepared to develop aligned curriculum and assessment that takes into consideration local, state and national standards, best practices and students' diverse needs.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education. (3 credits)
EDU565 - Instructional strategies for Diverse Students and Settings
(3 credits) This course is intended for experienced teachers, and will
focus on
building off of prior knowledge and experience to improve student
learning. Research-based instructional strategies will be studied, with
particular emphasis on adapting and employing strategies to fit students'
cognitive abilities, motivation, interest, cultural background and other
unique characteristics in diverse settings. Students in this class will
apply new instructional strategies in their practice to positively impact
learning in the PreK-12 classroom.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU570 - Teaching and Learning with Technology
(3 credits) Technology integration in the K-12 setting can enhance
learning, improve motivation and engagement, increase accessibility,
individualize instruction, differentiate assessment and improve
communication with parents and stakeholders. In this course students
will broaden their understanding of the technology available to them in
the PreK-12 classroom and improve their ability to leverage specific
technology to improve teaching and learning.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU575 - Science and Math in Early Childhood
3 credits) Integrate science and math instruction throughout the early
grades curriculum, with a focus on activating children's innate
curiosity, modeling habits of the mind, and fostering students' belief in
their ability to learn. Focus on curriculum, instruction and assessment
that are developmentally appropriate for young children.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
*EDU 509 Human Relations course is still in development
1 student teaching course block (4-14 credits):
1 student teaching course block (4-14 credits):
1 student teaching course block (4-14 credits):
*EDU 629 Student Teaching is still in development and will range from 4-14 credits based on previous field experience
