Early Childhood Education
Working with children is a worthwhile and gratifying career where each day is different and you’re always on the move, playing a crucial role in shaping the social, cognitive, and emotional development of the children under your care.
With a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in secondary education, you’ll be able to teach students in grades seven through 12. Through our hands-on program, you will become prepared to enter the classroom and connect with you students .This opportunity, combined with the career-relevant endorsements we offer, prepares you to lead and enjoy a fulfilling, fruitful career in education. Hours of fieldwork will help prepare you to put your education into action. There has never been a greater need for teachers who are creative, constructive, and compassionate.
With a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, you’ll be able to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. While elementary education is a stand-alone major, you’ll also be required to hold a minor. You can minor in a subject area like art, business, English, math, music, physical education, science, social science, world language, or psychology. Your minor can also lead to a supplemental teaching endorsement.
Your bachelor of arts degree in education with an endorsement in K-12 art, Spanish or religion will open the door for you to make a difference in the lives of children in kindergarten through grade 12. College of Saint Mary also offers art and religion as endorsements in the elementary education bachelor’s degree program.
To complete your bachelor’s degree in early childhood with a minor in special education, you will need to complete 128 credit hours.
44 credit hours must be general education courses
42 credits must be early childhood program courses
18 credit hours must be teacher education courses
21 credit hours must be in special education minor courses and three credit hours must be supporting courses.
With your associate’s degree in early childhood education, you will be qualified to work in child-care centers, preschools and infant centers. With your bachelor’s degree, you can seek certification from the Nebraska Department of Education.
The Bachelor of Science in education is designed to prepare you to become an influential teacher in secondary education settings. This experience-oriented secondary teacher education program is built around field assignments in the 7-12 grade classrooms where you will gain over 125 hours of practical field experience.
The Bachelor of Science in Education is designed to prepare you to become an influential teacher in elementary education. This experience-oriented teacher education program is built around field assignments in K-6 grade classrooms where you will gain over 125 hours of practical field experience.
You’ll benefit from small class sizes, flexible class schedules, and when you begin student teaching, having your own instructors come to visit you in the classroom. All these experiences prepare you to confidently begin your career teaching elementary students.
Program for Adding an Endorsement
Special education-related services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and assistive technology support, are essential for helping students with disabilities achieve their full potential in school and beyond. These professions offer the chance to make a profound difference by addressing students' unique needs and fostering their academic, social, and emotional growth.