Parkland offers new associates degree in Early Childhood Education

Champaign, Ill. (WCIA)

Parkland is introducing a new Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education. This degree will help students prepare for work in a childcare center or home-based childcare program, and transfer to a 4-year Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and receive Illinois licensure to teach preK-2nd grade.

In August, Governor Prtizker signed a bill that invests $ 200 million to strengthen the Early Childhood Workforce. Nearly $ 120 million is directed toward financial support – scholarships to encourage childcare workers to pursue advanced credentials. If you are currently working, or have worked in childcare, and you are seeking to advance your credentials, you can apply for scholarships that may cover all of your costs.

I help people who are currently working with, or want to work with, young children to learn about how children’s brains and physical skills develop. I teach them how to work with young children most effectively, how to promote social-emotional skills, how to encourage language development, and how to prevent and deal with challenging behaviors.

The Parkland ECE AAS will help current teachers level up their credentials, and encourage new students to explore the field. Our hope is to help solve the severe shortage of qualified early childhood professionals in Illinois.

The Parkland ECE AAS is built for working people. Our classes are either completely online or in hybrid format. The hybrid courses meet one evening a week. Many of our courses are 8 weeks, so you can take double the number of courses in a semester.

Our faculty are professionals who have worked in the field of early childhood education, so we provide practical skills and knowledge. Our classes are often guest speakers, field trips and other hands-on experiences. And our program includes two practicum experiences, where students are in the classroom observing and eventually planning and teaching.

Online information session on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00 pm for center directors, and people who are currently working in childcare.

Online information session on Tuesday, May 17 at 6:00 pm for students considering Early Childhood Education.

Registration is currently happening at Parkland, and our academic consulting staff is happy to help you – or direct you to more information. You can contact admissions at 217 / 351-2482 or at parkland.edu/admissions

Parkland College
Early Childhood Education Program
2400 West Bradley Avenue