Overview of the Online Certificate in Early Childhood License Addition
What do you need to teach pre-school in Indiana?
First, a future pre-school teacher must complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. If you have a bachelor’s degree in something other than education, you can still become a pre-school teacher! Our Transition to Teaching program can help anyone who received a degree outside of education.
If you already have an education degree, but it does not include Early Childhood Education (P-grade 3) and you'd like to add certification for students in third grade or younger, this graduate certificate is right for you.
Why add an early childhood education license?
Early elementary grades, pre-schools, and day cares need you! Become an classroom teacher in grades K-3, a pre-school teacher, or daycare director when you earn certification in a new area with this early childhood addition program! Existing teachers with a bachelor's degree looking to expand their job prospects in early childhood education, can gain understanding, and add licensure for a classroom or daycare with their desired age-level. In as little as 8 months, teachers can open more opportunities for themselves and enjoy a rewarding career!
We built an early childhood certification program with you in mind!
Prepare to teach younger students through project-based learning, authentic assessments, and hands on field experiences with pre-school, kindergarten, and learners in grades 1-3. Throughout the program, you’ll create lesson plans, conduct a diversity case study, and learn literacy specific teaching and learning. Inspire students to learn through this accelerated program in early childhood education.
In the end, you'll get...
This 12-credit hour program provides a graduate certificate for those who possess an existing Indiana Teaching License issued by the Indiana Department of Education. This graduate level, non-degree program is structured to prepare Indiana licensed teachers to add an Early Childhood license to their existing license. Along with certification and preparation, students can expect:
- Faith integration with devotions and application to key assignments
- Online and experiential learning format
- An additional teacher license in as little as 8 months
How can school districts grow professionals and keep them?
Great teachers are becoming more and more difficult to find and keep. One way to grow your base of elementary school teachers is to encourage current educators or prospective educators towards certification. Additional certifications through a teacher education program can open the door for educators to try a different age level or be available for more opportunities when jobs open within your school district.
Offer effective teachers an opportunity for change or brand-new teachers another option...
Public school teachers began careers energetically, but sometimes a secondary teacher, or an upper elementary teacher can't help but hear the pre-school classroom call their name. For new teachers, an additional license can create a broader job market. To make the switch from secondary education and elementary education to early childhood education, schools can encourage teachers to stay within the corporation but become an early childhood teacher by gaining licensure through our teacher education program. Or they can encourage prospective teachers to gain early childhood licensure for more job options in public schools and beyond.
We can help you keep teachers in your school district!
Very few higher education institutions offer this kind of professional development. IWU is excited to provide continuing education for early childhood licensure to prepare future elementary and pre-school teachers and directors of day cares and pre-schools. This option helps you to keep educators in your school district by offering them an option to pivot their student focus to younger students.
What will you learn in this teacher certification program?
Whether you are an experienced educator or a teacher just beginning a career, you will learn what it takes to prepare younger elementary students and pre-school students from foundational skills to critical thinking skills. Young students need trained educators, and our program will equip you to be an early childhood educator. You can become an early elementary classroom teacher, a kindergarten teacher, a pre-school teacher, or a pre-school or daycare director. The variety is refreshing and it's yours for the taking!
Become an Elementary Teacher
If you already have a bachelor's degree in education, this program is a great fit for you. This elementary education program can be finished in as little as eight months! You'll be able to step into a career you'll love.
Start Your Journey
You’ll Learn To…
- Demonstrate professional, moral, and ethical behaviors through teaching methods grounded in Christ-like principles
- Apply subject matter and assessment knowledge to teaching and learning experiences
- Use a variety of pedagogical methods and technologies for young students
TUITION
12 Total
Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans benefits, and employer reimbursement.
COURSES
Here is the list of courses required to complete the program. Full course descriptions may be viewed by clicking on the course titles. For further information, feel free to contact us.
4 Core Courses
These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence.
EDUT-514,EDUT-532,EDUT-533,EDUT-534
REQUIREMENTS
Click on each section to expand the different requirements for this program. If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to contact one of our admissions representatives at 1-866-498-4968.
- Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.
- Copy of a valid, but not necessarily current, Indiana Teaching License issued by the IDOE.
- Letter of agreement that confirms candidate’s access to a childcare center and P-3 classroom.
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University.
- A criminal history background check that meets School of Integrated Learning and Development guidelines. The background check is not required for currently employed teachers.
NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check that is acceptable to the university as a part of their application materials, that successful background report will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program. School corporations are governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees who set policy for their school corporation. All accepted students should understand that additional background checks will most likely be required by school corporations before participating in clinical experiences.
- Complete all course requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and no grade lower than a "B-."
- Successfully complete all Clinical Experience requirements associated with the program.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a certificate.
Clinical Experience Requirements
- All candidates must complete field experiences throughout the program.
- All clinical placements will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences, unless otherwise outlined in the course curriculum.
- Failure to complete or removal from a clinical experience may result in the candidate not passing the course and/or being permanently withdrawn from the program.
START DATES
The Early Childhood License Addition at Indiana Wesleyan University has many convenient starts throughout the year. Listed below are the next available starts. If you don’t see a start that fits your schedule, connect with our enrollment team to see more future starts.
Accreditation
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.
*Effective 07-01-2023 through 06-30-2024