Master of Arts in Teaching
in Early Childhood + licensure
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts in Teaching
Stand Out in your calling.
March 10
NEXT START
With several start dates throughout the year.
33-44
CREDIT PROGRAM
Earn your master’s degree and teaching license.
Online
COURSEWORK
100% online and asynchronous coursework.
$360
COST PER CREDIT
Earn your degree from one of Iowa’s most affordable programs.
Earning a graduate degree doesn’t have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Designed specifically for career-changers, this program provides a clear, streamlined route to earning your initial teaching license in early childhood education. Graduates automatically earn the Birth–Grade 3 Inclusive Settings Endorsement, equipping them to teach in classrooms that include students with special education needs—no additional program required. Our 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 8-week online class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you’ll finish your M.A.T. in 2 years or less while being eligible for financial aid.
Looking for initial teaching licensure?
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–Grade 3 Inclusive Settings 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.
Application requirements
Application requirements
Application requirements
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
No GRE required. No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
No GRE required. No application fee.
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:
[email protected]
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.
For admittance to the program, students must pass a background check. Your enrollment counselor will send you details on how to complete this item. If you have questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Program specifics
Program specifics
Program specifics
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.
(3 credits) This course focuses on the major issues and concepts associated with living in a culturally diverse society and teaching in culturally diverse schools. Students will consider ways in which ethnicity, gender/sexuality, social class, and religion intersect and influence beliefs and behaviors. A 20-hour experience in diverse settings is a key component of this course.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. (3 credits)
EDU565 - Instructional strategies for Diverse Students and Settings
(3 credits) This course will focus on
building 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 to positively impact
learning in the PreK-12 classroom.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree.
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.
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.
EDU629 - Student Teaching
(4-14 credits) This experience will include the observation, engagement, and instruction of a multi-categorical elementary resource program for children from birth to grade three while under the supervision of a licensed, qualified teacher. During this student teaching, candidates are required to complete supervised student teaching experiences in two different settings in state accredited classrooms that include both children with and without disabilities in the preprimary and primary settings. Using the knowledge, skills and dispositions in planning, instruction, assessment and professionalism learned and assessed throughout the education program, candidates will be able to schedule, evaluate, collaborate, write IEPs and IFSPs, and develop strategies to address special needs of children. Candidates are expected to model ?Teacher as Servant? throughout the experience by serving God and society in diverse classroom settings.
Faculty + Staff
Brilliant scholars. Committed Christians. Invested in you. That’s Northwestern’s faculty.
