Bachelor of Arts - Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education Program offers a course of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The major in Early Childhood Education consists of 54 credit hours, including two 100-hour clinical experiences at different age levels of early childhood. Each clinical experience includes a 3-credit weekly lecture to provide more in-depth examination of field experiences and on time field relevant topics.The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education at Northeastern Illinois University prepares students to teach and support children from birth through third grade. The program combines theory with hands-on experience, focusing on child development, learning environments, family engagement, and culturally responsive teaching. Students gain classroom experience through supervised fieldwork and student teaching, developing the skills to design inclusive and developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children.