Early Childhood Education at SIUE
The early childhood education program in the Department of Teaching and Learning leads to initial teacher licensure in Illinois to work with children birth through second grade, as well as a non-licensure option to work in infant/toddler and preschool settings that do not require teacher licensure. The program addresses national standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, as well as state standards set by the Illinois State Board of Education. The department offers quality programs that connect learned theory to practical experiences in schools while keeping classes small and providing personal attention.
What can I do with a degree in early childhood education?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the education field is expected to grow 12% through 2022, and teacher education programs at SIUE have an exceptional record of preparing highly effective early childhood, elementary, middle level, special education and secondary education teachers. Our graduates also pursue careers as parent educators, child development specialists, child service agency workers, child and family advocates, juvenile justice officers, and hospital play group directors, just to name a few.
Diversity Statement
SIUE’s teacher education programs foster teacher candidates’ ability to understand and meet professional responsibilities by modeling respect and value for diversity. Candidates create and engage their students in practices that develop awareness, understanding, respect and a valuing of the forms of diversity that exist in society and their importance in learning and teaching. The School of Education, Health and Human Behavior teacher education programs are dedicated to supporting all teacher education candidates, regardless of their economic or social status, and advocates for the rights of students free from discrimination based on race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, ability or age.
Professional Credential Disclosure
This program is intended to prepare students for licensure/certification meeting educational requirements established by regulatory boards in the state of Illinois. Licensure/certification requirements can vary by state. If you intend to practice or teach inside or outside the state of Illinois, please visit our professional licensure webpage.
Early Childhood On-Site (EChOS)
The EChOS program is an alternative path to initial licensure in early childhood education allowing candidates who are currently working in the field of early childhood education to complete a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education.
Students have the option of completing Illinois teacher licensure requirements or completing a non-licensure route. Courses are offered at times and locations to meet the needs of working adults. The professional sequence of courses can be completed in a maximum of three years prior to student teaching by taking two courses each fall, spring and summer term. Program participants are required to have completed an associate degree or credit equivalent prior to enrolling in EChOS.
Financial Assistance: Members of the early childhood education workforce who are seeking credentials and/or a degree in early childhood education may be eligible for the new Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) scholarship program. Program information, eligibility details and an online application will be available soon through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
If you’d like to be considered for the EChOS program, please do not wait for the ECACE scholarship application to open to get started. In addition to the ECACE scholarship application, applicants will be required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the same academic year in which they are applying for the scholarship.
Please note that the EChOS program is an additional option and is not part of the traditional on-campus program. For more information, please contact Dr. Stacie M. Kirk, director, early childhood program at 618-650-3683 or skirk@siue.edu.
