Study Early Childhood Education in Louisiana
Working in early childhood education can be very fulfilling. You get to be around young children and hear their unique and creative ideas, and you can help them develop and learn, preparing them for the future. It’s a popular occupation – thus, you’re bound to find various Louisiana universities that offer an early childhood education program.
Before being able to work as an early childhood educator, you must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s degree or a Ph.D. is sometimes required to advance in your profession or get certain jobs in specific institutions in the state of Louisiana.
Early Childhood Education Programs in Louisiana
Here is a list of some of the popular schools offering early childhood education degree programs in Louisiana:
- Louisiana Tech University
- Walden University
- Louisiana State University
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Capella University
- Louisiana State University – Shreveport
- Purdue Global
To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, and diversity is one of its strongest traits. Founded in 1894, the university has students from 47 states, but also 64 foreign countries. Its goal is to prepare students for the real world, teaching them the skills necessary for reaching their dream job.
Its acceptance rate is 66%, meaning that skill and potential are highly important to be admitted. ACT or SAT scores must be sent by the 1st of July, and it uses a rolling application method. It is one of the most selective universities, which is why professors and educators with a degree here are highly respected.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
If you want to study early childhood education in Louisiana, then Louisiana Tech University is a wonderful option. It offers a Bachelor of Science program in early childhood education, ensuring you are ready to work with the young generations of children after graduation.
The program will last 4 years, and you will go through different courses throughout this time. The senior year will involve the following classes:
- Diverse Learners
- Materials and Methods for Elementary/Middle Social Studies
- Human Exceptionalities
- Strategies and Procedures for Serving Individuals with Complex Needs
- Student Teaching
In total, you will need 126 semester hours to graduate.
You need to pick your degree program based on your level. You can choose between two undergraduate programs, which are associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. If you are going for a graduate program, then you may opt for a master’s or a doctorate.
The classes are based on different majors depending on your point of interest. These can go from arts and literature to technology and sciences. Regardless of the major or the program, the classes will also have courses on educational tactics for early childhood.
To be admitted to Louisiana Tech University for this program, you must provide high school transcripts. All applicants must have a regents core high school curriculum of 19 units, but also a core GPA of over 2.5 and a minimum composite SAT of 830 ERW + M or ACT of 15, or an overall GPA of over 2.0 with a minimum composite SAT of 1130 ERW + M or ACT of 23. You’ll have to go through an online application process.
Classes may also be held online for those looking to obtain education from a distance. The university will make available a variety of video lectures and course materials. You may also interact virtually with your professors and classmates or have online discussions on the university platform.
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is one of the most renowned universities in the whole state. It was founded in 1860 and it is located in Baton Rouge. With an acceptance rate of 71%, students may apply for admission by April 15. Once accepted, they will be able to send in their paperwork and join the classes.
The university prides itself in its diverse and vibrant community, but also in its top-ranked programs. It has a student population of over 35,000, and it is eager to help more people work for their future careers.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
As a student at Louisiana State University, you have multiple options for early childhood education. If you have yet to obtain any certification, you can begin with their Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education program.
With this program, you can get either a B-K Teacher Certification or a PK-3 Teacher Certification. You will need a total of 120 or 122 semester hours to graduate. Also, you will be studying under this program for a total of four years.
Then, students can go for a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education. This program allows you to advance your knowledge and skills, giving you more opportunities as an educator.
The MEd requires a total of 36 credit hours, and you will be studying for two years.
Then, there’s also a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction with Early Childhood Education. It requires 90 credit hours in total.
The required coursework includes:
- Intervention Research in the Early Childhood Classroom
- Traditions of Inquiry in Education
- Educational Research Methodology
- Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education
- Analysis of Research on Teaching
- Analysis of Research in Curriculum & Instruction
- Early Literacy Development and Instruction
- Theories of Child Development
To apply for this university, students can use the Common Application of the LSU if they are first-year applicants. Freshmen will have to submit some documents too, such as:
- High-school transcripts
- Self-reported academic record
- Letter of recommendation
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette was founded in 1898 and it was initially named the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute. Currently, it offers more than 240 majors, minors, and concentrations. It also has 50 graduate programs and 18 online programs.
The most notable and recognized programs are in education, applied computer sciences, engineering, humanities, and architecture. Applications are accepted through three deadlines over the year, spring, summer, and fall. It functions on a rolling basis, which means that you may apply at any moment throughout the year. Scholarships are also given to students who meet the requirements.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
This university cares a lot about its students and their future, which is why it offers a well-crafted 4-year program for those who want to become early childhood educators.
People can choose an Early Childhood Education major and get the training they need to work with young children. The majors span from art to music and science, covering every early education school level so that you can be prepared to work with children of all ages.
Some of the most important courses you will study during this program include:
- Foundations and Program Development in Early Childhood Education
- Understanding and Facilitating Play
- Technology in the Classroom
- Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers
- Practicum for Elementary Mathematics
- Developmental Assessment and Research in Early Childhood Education
- Teaching Reading in the Primary Grades
To apply for the program, students must send an admission application. They also need a cumulative overall GPA of at least 2.5. Therefore, you must submit official test scores for ACT or SAT, as well as high-school transcripts.
Louisiana State University – Shreveport (LSUS)
LSUS was founded in 1967, and since then, it has helped many students find their career paths. It is one of the fastest-growing higher education institutions in the state.
Not only does it give people high-quality education, but it also has over 50 clubs and organizations on campus so that students can also hone their social skills.
Early Childhood Education Program Information
At this university, you can enjoy a great Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education curriculum. This program lasts four years and was made to help students plant the seeds of a successful career involving work with young children.
The great thing about LSUS is that it knows how to turn students into great educators. Besides offering you personal instruction, they also have a comprehensive curriculum and provide hands-on experiences.
During your time with LSUS, you will learn how to help young generations develop both educationally and emotionally, and you will teach them the basics of different subjects. On top of that, you will already be in a classroom and enjoy the experience before you even graduate, helping you gain more experience with children.
The major includes 123 total credit hours. You will have courses that include:
- Humanities
- Natural sciences
- Mathematics
- English composition
- Social/behavioral sciences
- Fine Arts
If you want to deepen your studies and have more opportunities in the future, you can also apply for a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, which lasts 12 months and takes place online. Some concentrations include Special Education Leadership and General.
Similarly, you can also opt for a Master of Education in Educational Leadership. You can go for a General concentration or the Teacher Leader one.
After studying with LSUS, you can work as a preschool or kindergarten teacher, but also as a primary grades’ teacher. On top of that, you can work in private schools, public schools, childcare, community programs, agencies, and other institutions.
If you want to apply for the program, you need to complete the LSU Shreveport application and submit it. Aside from that, you will need:
- Letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from any college-level institution you went to
Early Childhood Education Work Opportunities in Louisiana
An early childhood education degree brings you many opportunities. There is no shortage of job options. So, based on your specialization, you may be able to have different early childhood education professions in Louisiana.
People who graduate following early childhood education studies can work as preschool teachers, this being one of the main jobs that students opt for. Preschool teachers work with very young children and help them develop early in their educational journey.
In Louisiana, you can work as an early childhood teacher for the Ascension Parish School Board or as a preschool teacher for the Westminster Christian Academy, but also other institutions.
However, the early childhood education degree gives you opportunities for more jobs. You can also work as a childcare worker, nanny, school counselor or psychologist, or childcare center director.
If you live in Louisiana and want to work in the field, Firstline Schools Inc offers opportunities for pre-K, kindergarten, and 1st or 2nd grade teachers, but you can also work for the U.S. Army Installation Management Command as a lead child and youth program assistant.
Moreover, you can work for the University of New Orleans as a research assistant POA or the Children’s Hospital as a parent educator. There are endless opportunities!
If you want to become an early childhood educator, there are many programs in Louisiana that you can choose from. See which one is right for you so that you can prepare for your dream job.