BA Completion in Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education bachelor’s completion program is an innovative program created to support the development of highly trained, licensed early childcare providers.
The Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Completion Program will
prepare students to be licensed early childhood education teachers. This
33-month program is designed for students who have completed an associate’s
degree in early childhood education or a related field and are seeking to earn
a bachelor’s degree in education that meets Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction (DPI) standards for teacher certification in early childhood
(birth–8). After completing their
Bachelor Degree and earning initial DPI certification, students have the
opportunity to take 4 graduate classes and complete an additional semester of
student teaching to obtain DPI certification in bilingual education.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Tuesday June 18, 2013
5:30-6:30 at Cardinal Stritch University City Center
Please contact Mary Ishag at (414) 410-4348 or mishag@stritch.edu to RSVP.
Innovative
Cardinal Stritch University developed this program in response to
State and Federal mandates to increase the professional qualifications of early
childhood education teachers, particularly in urban settings. Students who are
currently working in an early childhood setting, such as a daycare facility or
educational system, are able to complete the program without interrupting their
employment. The program strongly emphasizes language and literacy development
and the use of developmentally appropriate research-based practices to address
the diverse cultural and linguistic needs of young children.
Relevant
Students in the Early Childhood Education Bachelor Completion
Program will complete five field experiences in their own classrooms throughout
the program. Each student is guided by a mentor who has a minimum of a master’s
degree and professional experience in early childhood. Mentors assist students in their classroom
application of newly learned content and provide on-going support for the
student’s professional development throughout the program. As students are exposed to increasingly
challenging content through their courses, the expectations for classroom
application increases; thus, the students have multiple opportunities to
improve teaching practices over a longer period of time than would be offered
in more traditional teacher certification programs.
Convenient
Students in the Early Childhood
Bachelor Completion Program learn through a cohort model with approximately
15-20 other students. In the cohort model, students develop a learning
community and benefit from the diverse experiences of its members while
supporting one another toward completion of the program. From September through
May, classes meet two nights per week for three weeks per month. During the fourth week, students meet on a
third night with their mentors and instructor for the field experience
course. During the summer semester, classes
are held Monday through Thursday evenings in June and July.
Affordable
Cardinal Stritch University
offers reduced tuition to students in the Early Childhood Bachelor Completion
Program. Additionally, students may
complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.) to determine financial aid awards.
Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Bachelor Completion
program at Cardinal Stritch University might also be eligible for the
T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. The
T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program can provide the majority of the cost of tuition
and books, making it an excellent option for financing their continued
education. For more information, please visit www.wecanaeyc.org or e-mail teach@wecanaeyc.org.
R.E.W.A.R.D. provides stipends for experienced childcare
providers through the Wisconsin Department of Children and Family. For more information, please visit
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/teach/reward.htm