Northwestern College adds online early childhood B.A. program

Northwestern College is responding to the demand for more highly educated caregivers and teachers for young children by adding a bachelor’s degree in early childhood to its online programs. The program is for students who’ve already earned an associate’s degree in early childhood. Registration is currently open; classes start Jan. 9.

The new early childhood B.A. qualifies graduates for positions and career promotion in Head Start programs, infant/toddler preschool programs and daycare centers, as well as in education agencies that serve or advocate for early childhood issues. The program was developed in concert with the Professional Preparation Standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children; it does not lead to a teaching license.

The early childhood bachelor’s degree can be completed in as few as two years, depending upon the number of general education credits transferred into the program. Applicants may contact a Northwestern adult learning programs enrollment counselor to determine transferrable credits.

“Research shows that early childhood professionals with higher levels of education foster higher quality environments that have better intellectual, emotional and social development outcomes for the children in them,” says Professor Laura Heitritter, chair of Northwestern’s education department. “Northwestern has a reputation for preparing excellent teachers, so we want to offer that great preparation in the area of early childhood as well.”

In addition to the early childhood B.A., Northwestern’s graduate school and adult learning division also offers Master of Education degrees as well as graduate-level endorsements and a teacher leadership certificate.

For more information about Northwestern College’s online degree options, visit online.nwciowa.edu.