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Childhood Education Programs and Colleges in Minnesota

The early years of childhood are crucial for the areas of social, cognitive, and academic development. As an early childhood educator, you will play an important role in that process.

But before you can work with children from birth through preschool, you need the proper education to develop the necessary knowledge and skills. Doing so will make you an effective early childhood teacher and will give you the tools you need to have the greatest impact on your students’ lives.

You can get the required education in Minnesota’s early childhood education program. The state’s extensive system of community colleges and four-year universities makes it easy to find a program that best fits your needs.

Below are just a few recommendations of programs that can catapult you into a satisfying career as an early childhood educator in Minnesota.

Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University is a relatively small school with fewer than 7,000 students. Located in Marshall, Minnesota, the school is a four-year public university whose aim is to prepare you for future success, both on an individual and a professional level. To do so, the school offers strong academic programs, a breadth of social events, and a diverse student body to give you the complete college experience.

Minnesota State is part of the Minnesota State System, a collection of more than 50 higher education institutions throughout Minnesota. The Minnesota State System also has an online campus where you can pursue degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. One of the available online programs is the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, outlined below.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

This Bachelor of Science program in Early Childhood Education prepares you to work with children from birth through third grade. In fact, successful completion of this degree qualifies you for licensure in Minnesota as an Early Childhood Educator.

This is an experiential program, so many of the classes you take within the major include field experiences. This model of education allows you to learn valuable skills in the classroom, then apply those skills in a real-world setting with students.

Some of the courses you will take include:

  • Human Relations for Teachers
  • Curriculum, Methods, and Assessments in Early Childhood
  • Foundations: Parent-Child Relationships
  • Wellness, Safety, and Nutrition from Birth to Grade 3
  • Leadership Issues in Early Childhood

You can access a wide range of support services as an online student at Southwest Minnesota State University. This includes counseling, career services, and online tutoring. You can also access the university’s writing center, library, and IT services.

You can apply to this program by completing an admissions application, submitting a non-refundable $20 application fee, and providing your high school GPA or scores from the ACT or SAT.

St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University, affectionately known as “St. Kate’s,” is a private Catholic school in St. Paul. The school was founded in 1905 to provide students with the education needed to become better students, skilled employees, and better people in general.

Today, that tradition remains strong. With around 4,000 students, St. Kate’s offers an intimate learning environment with small class sizes, a low student-to-teacher ratio, and a focus on social justice, inclusivity for all, and women’s empowerment. The connections you make with your classmates and your professors will enhance your experience and lead to lifelong relationships that benefit you as a person and as an early childhood educator.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

St. Catherine University’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is a four-year degree that includes general education requirements, major area requirements, and elective courses to round out your education. Specifically, you’ll take classes that enhance your ability to work with children from birth to age 8m, such as:

  • The Art of Early Childhood Classroom Guidance and Assessment
  • Teaching and Learning in the Lower Elementary Classroom
  • Early Childhood Mathematics
  • Emergent Literacy in the Content Areas
  • Technology in Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education

Additionally, though this is an online program, you will complete in-person field experiences at a location that’s approved by St. Kate’s.

This program also leads to licensure as an Early Childhood Educator in Minnesota. This license allows you to teach children as old as third graders in public schools, private schools, and early learning centers.

To apply, simply fill out an application for admission, provide an official high school transcript or GED, and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities you’ve attended.

University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota was founded more than 170 years ago as the premier higher education institution in the state. Throughout its history, U of M has fulfilled its mission for research, education, and outreach for the state’s students as well as students that come to Minnesota to get their education.

U of M is one of just five schools in the country with on-campus programs in engineering, law, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, so students come from far and wide to become a Golden Gopher.

U of M is known as a top-tier research university. As such, you will have opportunities to participate in research using state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, students at Minnesota work hard to make a positive impact in the community. You will have plenty of opportunities to do so through volunteerism and through your field experience work in your early childhood education program.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

The undergraduate program in Early Childhood Education at the University of Minnesota culminates in a Bachelor of Science degree. You will need to complete at least 120 credits to graduate, which takes most students about four years.

This program offers three specialization tracks: Foundations of Education, Early and Elementary Education, and Individualized Studies. In each case, you will take foundational courses in early childhood education that prepare you for success as a classroom teacher. Some of the courses you might take include:

  • Introduction to Developmental Psychology
  • Social and Personality Development
  • Facilitating Social and Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Education
  • Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities
  • Social and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education

The University of Minnesota also offers a 4+1 program that allows you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in just five years. This program also leads to a Minnesota Early Childhood Education license.

You can apply to this program by completing an online application and submitting a $55 application fee. You must also report your high school courses and grades as part of the application process.

St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University has a long history of academic excellence. Founded in 1869, St. Cloud State resides on a beautiful campus near the Mississippi River. In addition to ample outdoor recreational activities nearby, you can take advantage of more than 200 clubs and student organizations on campus. And with more than 10,000 students studying at St. Cloud, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet other people and form long-lasting friendships.

Additionally, St. Cloud State offers a lively and inclusive campus experience. You will work with world-renowned professors, get individualized educational support, and study in world-class facilities.

There are more than 200 bachelor’s degree programs available and more than 60 graduate programs to choose from, so no matter what your educational goals, St. Cloud State likely has the program for you!

Early Childhood Education Program Information

This Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education prepares you to work with young children and their families in classroom settings and in the field. You will gain the skills you need to be a competent early childhood educator in core courses and electives in early childhood education. These courses might include:

  • Children in a Changing World
  • Methods in Early Education
  • Instructional Methods in Math, Science, and Social Studies
  • Children’s Literature in Pre-K Through Grade 3
  • Introduction to Parents and Children

The last year of the program focuses on teaching methods courses and the student teaching experience. You will complete one semester of student teaching in an early childhood setting and another semester working in an elementary classroom.

This is a licensure track program. Once you graduate, you can apply for a Minnesota Early Childhood Education teaching license.

You can apply to this program online by filling out an application, submitting an application fee, and providing high school transcripts or evidence of completing a GED.  

Early Childhood Education Work Opportunities in Minnesota

With a degree in early childhood education from one of the programs outlined above, you can pursue a career as a licensed early childhood education teacher in Minnesota. Since early childhood education covers a broad age range, you can find work in many different settings.

For example, with a teaching license, you might work as a third-grade teacher in a public school. Alternatively, you could work as a kindergarten teacher in a private school. If you prefer to work with younger children, you could be a licensed teacher at an early learning center for preschool-aged children.

Another option is to work in a daycare setting. With your early childhood education, you can develop a rich and stimulating environment for kids from birth to three years of age. Of course, once you have some experience in this field, you might consider moving into administrative or consultative roles in education.

Whatever path you choose, Minnesota is a great place to do it. With public and private schools of all shapes and sizes throughout the state, you will have many avenues to take to establish your career.

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