The process for applying to an early childhood education program is relatively straightforward. There are no prerequisite courses that you have to take in high school, but colleges do recommend that you have a well-rounded knowledge of math, science, language and the arts. You'll be asked to fill out a common application and provide your SAT or ACT scores and high school transcript. You may also be asked to submit letters of recommendation and a personal essay about your suitability for an early childhood education program.
The main goal of early childhood education programs is to give students the knowledge, skill and values that are necessary for providing the best learning environment for young children. Each of these programs emphasizes the best practices for teaching not only in elementary schools and preschools, but also in childcare centers, like daycares and nursery schools. When students graduate, the hope is that they will go on to become early education professors, researchers, directors of early childhood programs, administrators of school districts, consultants or classroom teachers.
To obtain a degree in early childhood education, about three-quarters of your coursework should be in the early childhood courses specified by the department. These courses will include topics such as human development; learning and experience in family, school and community; and integrating the arts in to the early childhood curriculum. The other quarter of your coursework can be from any other discipline at the college. Some early childhood education programs also ask that you complete a senior research project on a topic decided on by you and a course supervisor and/or field work in a position related to early childhood education.
Colleges across the United States also offer master's and doctoral programs in early childhood education. These programs emphasize educational theory and/or leadership as it relates to teaching young children. Some of the main topics addressed are the design of educational environments and the content of and methodology for teaching math, science, reading, social studies and the arts. Acceptance into one of these graduate programs can be difficult, but there are typically no prerequisites; you only have to have a college degree and demonstrate that you have good academic standing. Once accepted, you are assigned an advisor who will guide you through the field work, coursework and thesis project you will have to complete.