The Walden University Early Childhood Education program, according to the institution's website, is part of a Minnesota state-approved teacher readiness program. It encourages you, the teaching student, to take an in-depth look at the processes involved in child development from birth through third grade. This program consists of 43 credit hours, including six that you will take at the graduate level. You will be studying for approximately 20 months. As the Walden website warns, however, this is only a general guideline, which may vary according to your progress as a student.
Kaplan University, established in 1937, has an educational online program, the Associate of Science Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program. It consists of 90 quarter credit hours, at a minimum. This degree will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills you will need to work in a daycare or educational setting. You can also seek employment with Head Start with this degree. The program, like all others at Kaplan, is flexible. You can prepare an educational plan with the university yourself, according to your personal career goals and current work schedule.
For your distance education experience to work at Kaplan, you must have the appropriate computer access. According to the Kaplan website, you must be able to run files, install and configure programs, and be able to access and save prior files on your computer. In addition, you must turn in your assignments using Word software. Thus, you must be able to make and read attachments.
Ashford University, which opened its doors in 1918, offers the Early Childhood Bachelor's of Arts in Early Childhood Education. The university teaches the courses online. Your teachers at Ashford are professionals with real-life experience. Ashford and Rio Salada University have partnered to produce this program, so you may start your online Teacher Preparation program through Rio Salada, in Arizona. However, despite Ashford's Clinton, Iowa, location, any teaching certificate you obtain will be valid only in Arizona.
The Bank Street Master of Science in Special Education is a 36-hour program, centered in New York City, that is specifically for students who already have valid New York teacher certification in general education at the early childhood level, and now have a desire to work with special needs children and their families. You can participate in a dual program that enables you to also earn your master's in social work from Columbia University. This degree will allow you to work with children up to eight years old.
During your Bank Street experience, you will gain practical teaching experience while going through the academic courses. During your outside supervised experiences, an advisor will visit you once a month in your classroom. Twice a month, he will meet to speak with you individually.
According to the Bank Street website, you will complete an independent study. It could be a site-based or student-faculty collaborative inquiry, a mentor-directed essay or a portfolio. You are free to choose what option best fits your abilities, goals and/or styles of learning.