With Concordia University, Nebraska’s early childhood education online program, you will gain the skills you need to make a positive impact in the lives of young children. This program will prepare you for the role of an accomplished teacher and mentor as you complete advanced study in early childhood development and education. You’ll learn innovative educational theory and proven instructional techniques through a curriculum that explores current research and modern issues in teaching.
Our faculty have experience as early childhood educators and will deliver relevant, real-world examples throughout our early childhood education online program. In addition, our program explores key topics including:
- Early childhood program organization and management
- Language and literacy development
- Research evaluation and design
- Family and culture
- Psychological foundations of teaching and learning
- Contemporary thought in education
With a flexible online format, you can study at your own pace when it’s most convenient for you. Concordia Nebraska’s early childhood education online program can be completed in 24 months. With the fast track option, you can earn your degree in 20 months. Our program does not require you to have a teaching certification or GRE scores, and it is eligible for the TEACH grant. However, if you have a current elementary teaching certificate you may also add the ECE endorsement while completing the masters.
Our online master’s in early childhood education is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). It also conforms to the guidelines prescribed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
If you have already earned a master’s in education degree from Concordia Nebraska, you can earn the Early Childhood Endorsement or one of our many additional teaching endorsements. To learn more about our endorsement programs and their specific requirements, you can get in touch with an online enrollment counselor.
Class Type
100% online, 8-week courses
Accreditation
NCATE through CAEP
An early childhood education degree prepares you with the advanced knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to promote learning in all young children. Schools, social service agencies, health care systems, institutions of higher education, and governmental agencies across the United States and Internationally are investing in well trained early childhood educators which allows you to earn wages commensurate to your advanced qualifications. With an online master’s in early childhood education, you can apply your advanced expertise to a number of teaching and leadership careers including birth-3rd grade teacher, professor, family support specialist, consultant, mentor, researcher, and program administrator. You will also be prepared for continued studies in a doctoral program.
Through the program, you will complete a total of 45 hours of a required practicum experience. The practicum will give you valuable experience within the field and the classroom environment. Depending on where you reside, there may be many early childhood education practicum opportunities available close to you.
Depending on your early childhood education career path, you may teach young children language, motor and social skills or fundamental knowledge in basic subjects like reading, writing and math. If you enjoy making a positive impact on the lives of young children and transforming them into lovers of learning, then early childhood education may be the right career path for you.
Concordia NebraskaEarly Childhood Education Core Concepts
Concordia University, Nebraska’s early childhood online program helps students become an accomplished teacher and mentor and develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide the best start in education for young children.
Learning Outcomes
Students will explore the planning, organization, management and evaluation programs for young children and families
Students will study the developmental reading skills, specifically in oral language, reading interests, the integration of language arts and modern issues
Students will examine the instructional, curriculum and assessment methods and development for young children from birth through third grade
Program Goals
Understand and process current research and issues in early childhood education
Commit to professional standards within the early childhood education profession
Establish and maintain inclusive environments that ensure children’s safety and their healthy development
Develop positive, supportive relationships with children, families and communities focused on incorporating diversity and differences based on race, gender, socioeconomic status, language, spiritual development and special needs
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of child development, including the ability to implement appropriate curriculum activities that advance all areas of children’s development and learning, and techniques for appropriate learning assessment