Early childhood educators can play a very significant role in a child’s development, especially in the early years. These educators can inspire young minds, expose them to the joys of learning, and give them the foundation for lifelong success and be their mentors to help them move forward in the right direction.
Early childhood education is one of the most vital and impactful careers you can pursue. Most childhood educators choose this field as they love working with young children and want to do something that creates an impact and plays a crucial role in shaping lives. Working with small children not only requires passion but hard work too. These children have a love for all the wonder they carry and teaching them is not only about helping them learn maths or language but also more about life and you could be playing a very significant role in guiding and empowering them with knowledge.
Recommended by top coursework experts, if you are at a point where you are considering your future and a college degree, you must make the right choice very carefully. If you love children and want to do something good in life that will go a long way, choosing early childhood education might be the best for you. It is a truly rewarding field where you can make a difference and you will be proud of yourself when you look back and see the success your students have become.
How To Choose The Field Of Study For Early Childhood Education:
Choosing a field of study for early childhood education might not be easy if you are still thinking about what to do; you will have to see if you want to specialize or just get a degree to start working with young ones. There are three main types of early childhood education degree programs, depending on the type of job you will be looking for:
- Associate’s Degree (2 years)
- Bachelor’s Degree (4 years)
- Graduate Degrees, including Master’s and Doctoral Degrees (2-6 years)
Many education schools offer an early childhood education online degree. There are also fast-track teacher certification programs if you already have a degree in a specific subject area.
How To Pick Your Degree Program:
The first step in determining which early childhood education degree program is right for you is to know more about the different options. It will help to understand what each degree means in the world of education and what you will be able to do in this regard.
Undergraduate Degrees:
Undergraduate degrees provide you with the required skills and knowledge you need to start your career working with young children.
Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education:
It is a two-year degree program that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to seek many entry-level early childhood education jobs. The best thing about it is that it is the least costly degree to earn, and can often stand-in for the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program if you choose to pursue a full bachelor’s degree. Many associate’s degrees prepare students for a general teaching job, but they might not cover educational background for broader advancement within a school or organization.
Bachelor’s Degree In Early Childhood Education:
This degree generally requires four years of coursework. It qualifies you to seek a teaching job with a greater expectation of fast advancement and higher pay as compared to the teachers who only possess an associate’s degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “Adults ages 25 to 34 with a bachelor’s degree or higher have higher median earnings than their peers with less education.”
Graduate Degrees:
Graduate degrees are the right choice for those who want to increase their salary, do research into ECE and teach educators, or work in supervisory positions. These degrees help them advance their careers in the right direction and become experts in the field, playing a crucial role in shaping the early years of young children.
Master Of Education (Med) Degree With A Focus In Early Childhood Education:
The MEd comes after a bachelor’s degree; it usually takes one to three years to complete, and normally requires a thesis for graduation. Master’s degree holders have a deeper level of expertise and are highly valued in more complex working environments, and thus enjoy better-paying positions. Equipped with a Med, you can also begin your career at a higher level and advance more quickly. There are the options of specializing in Curriculum and Instruction, Technology, Educational Administration, or Organizational Leadership, depending on their interests and plans.
Doctoral Degrees:
Doctoral programs are for people who want to do research and add to the body of knowledge in the field of education or teach other early childhood educators at the university level. You can either seek a doctorate in education or get a PhD in education. Doctor of Education programs is designed for K-12 teachers who want to continue teaching while assuming leadership roles in their school and community. This degree focuses on the teacher as a leader and empowers experienced master teachers to improve student learning and make school- or system-wide improvements.
Also Read This: 5 Easy Steps to Know How to Apply for Work Study?
PhD in Education helps you develop the expertise to lead in the development of new program practices, to apply emerging research on development in the early years, and to conceptualize new paradigms for early learning. You can look forward to attaining key positions in college teaching, research, leadership positions, and advocacy roles addressing the needs of young children.
There is always and will always be a need for quality education and professional, responsible educators. You can look forward to having a very hands-on and creative career path with early childhood education and the career outlook is also very bright for early childhood educators. They give you a chance to learn about the specific tools that help young children love learning and develop skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives and become more successful. Choosing the right field of study for early childhood education and getting a degree to advance your career might be the best way to step into this field and make a difference.