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. 




Earn your master's online

Earn your master's online

Earn your master's online

Earn your master's online

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 Arts in Teaching degree online at NWC will receive their first class tuition-free. Students are eligible if they meet the following criteria: 

  • Graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

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 Arts in Teaching degree online at NWC will receive their first class tuition-free. Students are eligible if they meet the following criteria: 

  • Graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. 

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. 

+
Baccalaureate degree

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. 

+
GPA requirements

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
EDU525 - Advanced Child Development
EDU530 - Leadership of Early Childhood Programs
EDU535 - Strategies for Early Literature Development
EDU540 - Teaching Young Children with Diverse Needs
EDU560 - Curriculum and Assessment for Student Learning
EDU565 - Instructional strategies for Diverse Students and Settings
EDU570 - Teaching and Learning with Technology
EDU575 - Science and Math in Early Childhood

*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




  • Faculty + Staff

    Brilliant scholars. Committed Christians. Invested in you. That’s Northwestern’s faculty.

  •  DeJong Dr. Angila DeJong Program Director, Master of Education Programs
    Assistant Professor in Education
  •  Thonstad Dr. Carrie Thonstad Assistant Professor of Education; Licensure Official; Department Chair

STAFF