Early Childhood Education

To teach young children (birth to age 8), teachers must be certified by the state of Illinois. To transfer into an approved baccalaureate program in Early Childhood Education as a junior, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester credits (up to a maximum of 64 semester credits). Since admission is competitive, completion of the recommended courses does not guarantee admission. Community and junior college students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree prior to transfer.

A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and passage of the Illinois Test of Basic Skills (reading, writing, grammar and math) are required for program admission.

Information regarding standards for Professional Preparation and Recruitment is available on the Illinois State Board of Education Web site.

The following Community Colleges have approval to offer the statewide model for the AAT in Early Childhood Education:

Lincoln Land Community College
Oakton Community College

Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education IAI Recommendations

Be sure to consult the institution you plan on transferring to for course articulations.