Study Early Childhood Education in Oregon

Oregon is an excellent location for pursuing higher education. On the one hand, Oregon is home to dozens of colleges and universities. On the other hand, these colleges and universities offer many different early childhood education-related programs.

If you are just starting college, you can study at a community college and get an associate’s degree. Alternatively, you can attend a university and get a four-year undergraduate degree.

If you already have some experience in this field but want to advance your career, you might choose to enroll in a master’s degree program. Many Oregon universities also offer terminal degrees and specialist degrees, like a Ph.D. or Ed.S.

Early Childhood Education Programs in Oregon

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering early childhood education programs in Oregon:

  • Portland Community College
  • Capella University
  • Eastern Oregon University
  • Southern Oregon University
  • Western Oregon University
  • Walden University

To find out how we select colleges and universities, please click here.

Portland Community College

Portland Community College got its start in 1961 as an adult education program offered by Portland Public Schools. Over the years, PCC has grown by leaps and bounds and is now the largest college system in the state. The college has more than 50,000 full-time and part-time students pursuing certificates, diplomas, and associate’s degrees.

The PCC system includes four campuses, ten learning centers, and dozens more learning locations throughout the Portland area. PCC also has a robust online campus that enables you to study without being a resident of the Portland metro area.

The primary goal of PCC is to instill in you a love of lifelong learning and help you develop the skills you need to enter the workforce or continue your education at a four-year school.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

The Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from PCC is a two-year, full-time program that prepares you for entry-level careers in this field. These skills might qualify you to work in areas as varied as preschools, public or private elementary schools, early childhood development centers, or family child care programs.

To gain the necessary knowledge for employment in early childhood education, you will take courses like:

  • Introduction to Early Education and Family Studies
  • Environments and Curriculum for Preschool
  • Infant and Toddler Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support
  • Building Relationships with Infants, Toddlers, and Families
  • Parent-Child Relations

In addition to these early childhood education topics, you will also learn critical communication, problem-solving, and classroom management skills.

This program is in a hybrid format, meaning some courses are available in person while others are available online. The majority of in-person courses are offered nights and weekends to accommodate traditional work schedules.

You can apply to PCC online. Doing so is free and takes just a few moments. You will need to provide grades, transcripts, or test results to help PCC officials determine if you need to take any prerequisite courses.

Eastern Oregon University

When Eastern Oregon University was founded in 1929, it was solely a teacher’s college. Today, though, EOU is a comprehensive four-year university that provides many opportunities to learn and grow as a student and as a prospective early childhood education worker.

EOU emphasizes a mentorship model, so your studies will occur under the tutelage of experienced professors. Moreover, you’ll enjoy small class sizes with a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

EOU is a small school with fewer than 3,000 students. But the university has developed strong academic programs and a wide range of programs at that. There are nearly 40 on-campus degrees offered and nearly two dozen online degrees.

You can participate in one of more than 50 student clubs and organizations, which will help you further develop your academic skills and gain valuable friendships with other students.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

At EOU, you can enroll in a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts program in Early Childhood Education that readies you for a career working with children from birth to eight years of age. This non-licensure track can lead to positions in preschools, private schools, or government agencies. If you want to be a licensed teacher, you can continue your studies in EOU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program.

This online program requires the completion of 180 quarter credits to graduate. If you transfer to the program from a community college, you can finish your degree in as little as two years. As a first-year student, though, you will need around four years to finish the program.

Coursework for this early childhood education degree includes the following:

  • Technology in Early Childhood
  • Social Science Methods in Early Childhood
  • Administration in Early Childhood
  • Early Childhood Health and Wellness
  • Play and Learning Environments in Early Childhood

A practicum experience in an early childhood setting is also required for graduation. The practicum is split into two assignments, both of which typically occur during the final academic year of the program.

You can apply to EOU online. The university’s admissions guidelines for first-year students stipulate that you submit a completed application and a $50 application fee. You must also provide high school transcripts, transcripts from any colleges or universities you’ve attended, and other supporting documentation as needed.

Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University was founded as Ashland Academy in 1872. Though the name and scope of the school’s programs changed over the years, one thing remained the same – its location in Ashland, one of the best cities in America. As an SOU student, you can enjoy abundant recreational opportunities like hiking, biking, camping, and skiing.

With just over 6,000 students, SOU is a smaller school. Yet, it’s big on academics, with nearly 40 different areas of academic inquiry. No matter what major you choose, you will have an opportunity to participate in experiential learning like mentor placements, field studies, and internships. Doing so allows you to apply what you learn in your classes to real-world situations that will benefit your career after graduation.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

The Early Childhood Development program at SOU is offered as either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. This 180 quarter credit program is offered on campus and as a 100 percent online option to give you the most flexibility for completing your studies.

SOU bills this as a degree completion program. That being the case, you are encouraged to complete lower-level studies at a community college, then transfer to SOU to finish the degree. Most students transfer into the program with 90-95 quarter credits already completed.

Upon completion of the program, you will have the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a number of early childhood education careers. These include:

  • Preschool teacher
  • Family advocate
  • Educational assistant
  • Head Start teacher

You can also opt to continue your education and get a Master of Arts in Teaching if you prefer to become a licensed early childhood teacher.

You can apply to SOU online anytime. To apply as a transfer student, you must meet basic academic standards, including having a minimum acceptable undergraduate GPA and good academic standing, among other factors.

Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University was founded in 1856 in Monmouth by a group of pioneers called the Disciples of Christ. Over the years, the school’s mission shifted to teacher preparation and education. However, in the early 1980s, the school expanded to include liberal arts and sciences degrees and has expanded more in the years since to become a comprehensive four-year university.

Western Oregon University is a small school with fewer than 4,000 students, the vast majority of whom are undergraduates. The most popular major is education, with psychology, criminal justice, and business being other popular options.

In all, there are nearly 50 academic programs available. With an average class size of 18 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, you’re assured of getting an education in which you get the individual attention you need from your professors.

Early Childhood Education Program Information

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies at WOU is a four-year program that puts you on track to be a non-licensed early childhood worker. More specifically, the program focuses on working with children four years of age and younger.

The program begins with foundational coursework in the first two years, then transitions to higher-level courses in the third year. The fourth and final year of the program includes professional core coursework that you complete with a cohort of other early childhood studies seniors. Some of the courses you will take include the following:

  • Trauma-Informed Practices in Early Childhood 
  • Purposes of Play in Learning
  • Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Early Childhood Play, Development, and Literature 
  • Introduction to Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood 
  • Literature for the Young Child 

You must also complete at least 800 hours of field experience in an early childhood education setting. WOU will work with you to find field experience sites near where you live to give you the most flexibility for finishing the degree requirements.

Fill out an online application to WOU online. You must be a graduate of an accredited high school to apply as a first-year student. You must also have a 3.0 high school GPA or higher. If not, you must provide ACT or SAT scores.

Early Childhood Education Work Opportunities in Oregon

The field of early childhood education is extremely diverse, and as such, the employment options for you after your college graduation are also diverse.

You might pursue employment as a preschool teacher in Medford, where you create activities that foster the academic, social, and emotional development of children five years of age and younger. Alternatively, if you want to work with older children, you could pursue an early childhood education program that prepares you for licensure as a public elementary school teacher in the Portland area.

Many Oregonians who complete a degree in this field work in childcare settings. With an associate’s degree, for example, you might work as a private nanny, a daycare worker, or a preschool teaching assistant in Eugene. With a bachelor’s degree, you might qualify for positions in early childhood education administration or program development.

If you complete a master’s degree in this field, your work opportunities will broaden even further. With a master’s degree, you can teach in public or private elementary schools across the state, work in educational administration, or work for the Oregon Department of Education. With a doctorate, you could find yourself in an even higher administration position (e.g., assistant superintendent), or you might teach at the collegiate level. The possibilities are virtually endless!

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