This program is designed for those who do not have a Professional Educator License. It provides candidates with a comprehensive background for working with younger children in a variety of settings. Completion of this degree program leads to licensure by entitlement for a Professional Educator License endorsed for early childhood and self-contained general education (age 0 to grade 2) along with an ESL or Bilingual Education Endorsement.
For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page.
Program Learning Outcomes
PLO 1. Candidates analyze young children’s characteristics and needs, multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning, and be able to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
PLO 2. Candidates value the importance and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities; they are able to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
PLO 3. Candidates justify goals and benefits of child assessment, are able to design systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible and ethical way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence each child’s development and learning.
PLO 4. Candidates use positive relationships as the foundation for their work with young children; candidates know, understand, and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, tools, and technologies to positively influence each child’s development and learning.
PLO 5. Candidates have solid knowledge of academic disciplines, know the essential concepts, structure of content areas, and resources, and are able to apply this knowledge to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive and comprehensive learning outcomes for each child.
PLO 6. Candidates apply NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and professional standards to their early childhood education practice; identify and conduct themselves as professionals who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives on their work, make informed decisions, and advocate for sound educational practices and policies.
PLO 7. Candidates demonstrate leadership skills in the early childhood field to think strategically, build consensus, create change, effectively collaborate with and mentor others; demonstrate a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills with specialization for specific professional roles.