Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood
(non-licensure)
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood
Stand Out in your calling.
NEXT START
June 30
Classes begin every 8 weeks
FLEXIBLE
Transfer your AA, AS, or AAS
Finish in approximately 2 years, depending on transfer credits
ONLINE
100% online coursework
Learn on your schedule, with no set class times
AFFORDABLE
$360 per credit
+ scholarship and grand opportunities with TEACH that covers tuition & most expenses
Earn your B.A. in Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure) from Northwestern fully online and build your expertise in child development, behavior, assessment, and early childhood policy. This flexible program prepares you to create impactful learning experience, support diverse student needs, and collaborate with families and co-teachers. Graduates will be qualified for roles in Head Start programs, child care centers, preschools, before/after school programs, and regional or state education agencies (AEAs, IAAEYC).
Completing your degree doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Log into class each week and complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you.
Which online B.A. in Early Childhood is right for you?
Which online B.A. in Early Childhood is right for you?
Which online B.A. in Early Childhood is right for you?
My education at Northwestern has had a profound impact on my passion for caring for, teaching, and supporting children. It has shaped me into the role model I strive to be for the children in my care now and in the future. The knowledge I’ve gained has strengthened my understanding of child development and the vital support children need to learn and grow during their early years. Mikayla | B.A. Early Childhood (non-licensure)
Seamless transfer
Students entering the B.A. in Early Childhood Education program must hold an associate degree (AA, AS, or AAS) or higher. Northwestern College offers a flexible transfer credit policy, allowing you to apply previously earned credits toward your bachelor’s degree—making it easier and faster to complete your education. After successfully completing 6 credits, students will apply for admission to the education department and teacher licensure track.
Have transfer questions? Connect with your enrollment expert, Kate.
email kate
Community college partners
Northwestern has partnerships with many of the community colleges in Iowa, allowing a smooth transition for transfer students. Partnerships include:
- Des Moines Area Community College
- Eastern Iowa Community College
- Hawkeye Community College
- Indian Hills Community College
- Iowa Central Community College
- Iowa Lakes Community College
- Iowa Western Community College
- Kirkwood Community College
- Northwest Iowa Community College
- North Iowa Area Community College
- Western Iowa Technical Community College
Tuition + fees
Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover resources that may help you finance your bachelor's degree, master's degree, endorsement or certificate with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost.
Financial aid information
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship
Educators pursuing a bachelor’s in early childhood may be eligible for a T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship. The scholarship program provides the early childhood workforce with educational opportunities. This comprehensive scholarship includes a significant portion of tuition and textbook costs, travel/Internet stipends, and paid time away from work. The majority of your bachelor’s degree could be funded through this program. For information and how to apply, visit the T.E.A.C.H. website.
T.E.A.C.H. website
Child Care WAGE$ Program
Child Care WAGE$ ® IOWA (WAGE$) is a salary supplement program offered by the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC). As with T.E.A.C.H. IOWA, WAGE$ is a licensed program of the Child Care Services Association. WAGE$ offers salary supplements to the early care and education workforce based on an individual's level of formal education and commitment to a program. With a bachelor's degree in early childhood, you may qualify for a higher WAGE$ level. For more information visit the WAGE$ website.
WAGE$ Website
Students entering the B.A. in Early Childhood Education program must hold an associate degree (AA, AS, or AAS) or higher. Northwestern College offers a flexible transfer credit policy, allowing you to apply previously earned credits toward your bachelor’s degree—making it easier and faster to complete your education. After successfully completing 6 credits, students will apply for admission to the education department and teacher licensure track.
Have transfer questions? Connect with your enrollment expert, Kate.
email kate
Northwestern has partnerships with many of the community colleges in Iowa, allowing a smooth transition for transfer students. Partnerships include:
- Des Moines Area Community College
- Eastern Iowa Community College
- Hawkeye Community College
- Indian Hills Community College
- Iowa Central Community College
- Iowa Lakes Community College
- Iowa Western Community College
- Kirkwood Community College
- Northwest Iowa Community College
- North Iowa Area Community College
- Western Iowa Technical Community College
Accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.
Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover resources that may help you finance your bachelor's degree, master's degree, endorsement or certificate with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost.
Financial aid information
Educators pursuing a bachelor’s in early childhood may be eligible for a T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship. The scholarship program provides the early childhood workforce with educational opportunities. This comprehensive scholarship includes a significant portion of tuition and textbook costs, travel/Internet stipends, and paid time away from work. The majority of your bachelor’s degree could be funded through this program. For information and how to apply, visit the T.E.A.C.H. website.
T.E.A.C.H. website
Child Care WAGE$ ® IOWA (WAGE$) is a salary supplement program offered by the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC). As with T.E.A.C.H. IOWA, WAGE$ is a licensed program of the Child Care Services Association. WAGE$ offers salary supplements to the early care and education workforce based on an individual's level of formal education and commitment to a program. With a bachelor's degree in early childhood, you may qualify for a higher WAGE$ level. For more information visit the WAGE$ website.
WAGE$ Website
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
No application fee.
No application fee.
No application fee.
Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received.
+
Associate or baccalaureate degree
Official transcripts showing an associate's (AA, AS, or AAS*) or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Send official transcripts to onlineadmissions@nwciowa.edu or
Northwestern College
Graduate & Professional Studies
101 7th St SW
Orange City, IA 51041.
*Transfer students who have obtained an AAS degree do not meet the NWCore and will likely need additional credits; the registrar’s office will make that determination (students should consult their enrollment counselor to determine eligibility for the program and consult the registrar for evaluation of transfer credit).
Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants with a GPA below 2.25 may be eligible for conditional admission.
For admittance to the program, students must pass a background check.
Your enrollment counselor will send you details on how to complete this item. If you have questions, please reach out to us at online@nwciowa.edu.
Program Specifics
Program Specifics
Program Specifics
Credits + coursework requirements are personalized for each student upon transcript review of previous coursework.
Credits + coursework requirements are personalized for each student upon transcript review of previous coursework.
Credits + coursework requirements are personalized for each student upon transcript review of previous coursework.
A total of 124 credits are required to earn a bachelor's degree, which includes both associate and bachelor's level coursework. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken from Northwestern.
A total of 124 credits are required to earn a bachelor's degree, which includes both associate and bachelor's level coursework. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken from Northwestern.
A total of 124 credits are required to earn a bachelor's degree, which includes both associate and bachelor's level coursework. A minimum of 30 credits must be taken from Northwestern.
BTS150 - Christian Story I: Biblical Tradition
(4 credits) This course presents an overview of and orientation to the Bible, focusing on its content, character, role in the Christian faith, and covenant themes of creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. This course begins the development of theological thinking for academic study in the liberal arts and equips students for the task of integrating faith and learning in their academic work. Students should complete this course by the end of their second term.
Note: Does not count toward a religion major or minor.
ECE305 - Child Observation and Assessment
(3 credits) In this course, participants will learn how to implement a system of ongoing child assessment that is systematic, comprehensive and feasible in order to make sure that children make the progress necessary to be ready for kindergarten. Participants will first understand the importance of and strategies for planning and preparing for an effective system of ongoing child assessment. Participants will learn about and practice using four methods of effective ongoing assessment to inform their teaching and improve children's learning. This course will also provide information and implementation opportunities for individualizing ongoing assessment strategies for children who are dual language learners and children with special needs. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE310 - Resilience and Wellness
(3 credits) The purpose of this course is to teach you how to be a resilient educator. Resilience is the ability to survive and thrive. It is not only about your ability to positively adapt in the face of adverse or challenging circumstances (that is, survive), but it is also about learning the positive skills, strategies, and routines that enable you to live a happy, fulfilling, and successful life (in other words, thrive). This course will help give you the permission to take care of yourself in order to optimize your effectiveness as an early childhood educator. This captures the notion of teaching from the inside out - a phrase that highlights the importance of promoting core resilience skills, strategies, and routines among early childhood educators. In turn, resilient educators are more capable of creating and maintaining nurturing, supportive, and effective learning environments while optimizing their own well-being and love of the profession. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE320 - Positive Behavior Support for Young Children I
(3 credits) This course utilizes evidence-based strategies for promoting social and emotional development and preventing and addressing challenging behaviors in preschool-aged children. Through course readings, discussions, activities, and related experiences, participants will learn about a variety of these research-based practices. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE325 - Positive Behavior Support for Young Children II
(3 credits) This course utilizes evidence-based strategies for promoting social and emotional development and preventing and addressing challenging behaviors in preschool-aged children. Through course readings, discussions, activities, and related experiences, participants will learn about a variety of these research-based practices. Prerequisite: ECE320.
ECE330 - Supporting Language and Literacy Development in Preschool
(3 credits) This course is designed with two key learning objectives in mind. First, this course will increase learners' knowledge about how children's language and literacy skills develop between ages 3 to 5 and the ways in which these skills lay a foundation for later reading success. Second, learners will be introduced to key practices that promote explicit and systematic instruction. Learners will also participate in field-based assignments where they apply this learning in their own settings. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE340 - Highly Individualized Teaching & Learning in Early Childhood
(3 credits) This course covers evidence-based research and practices for fostering the social emotional, cognitive, and motor development of young children with varying needs and abilities in inclusive settings. Students learn to individualize instructional strategies, design learning environments with appropriate accommodations and adaptions, and understand IEPs and IFSPs. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE400 - Supporting Dual Language Learners
(3 credits) This course focuses on the language, reading, writing, and communication development of children who are dual language learners (DLLs), ages birth-to-five years. Connections are made between assessment and instruction that promote early language and literacy learning for children who are DLLs. Emphasis throughout the course is placed on fostering language and literacy learning by building on the family and community connections of young children who are DLLs. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE420 - Engaging Interactions and Environments
(3 credits) This course will increase learners' skill in creating effective classroom environments and interactions by providing rich opportunities to learn about and see examples from other classrooms. Learners will also complete field-based assignments where they apply this learning in their own settings and receive feedback focused on ensuring they can enact the practices they are learning about. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE425WI - Children's Health and Well-Being
(3 credits) (Writing intensive) This course explores topics related to health and well-being and focuses on teaching practices, classroom activities, partnerships with families, and program policies to ensure that all children are healthy and ready
to learn. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood program.
ECE430 - Learning with Digital Media in Early Childhood
(3 credits) Although infants and very young children do not learn from digital media such as television and media, there is evidence that preschool-aged children can. Young children can learn basic literacy skills, mathematics skills, and develop interest in science from engaging with digital media. Instructional practices can enhance learning from media. Specifically, young children's learning is enhanced when adults co-view or co-engage with young children in ways that foster sustained attention to aspects of media that are intended to promote learning. Prerequisite: Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in
Early Childhood program.
ECE450SR - The Early Childhood Professional Portfolio
(3 credits) In this course, students will produce a professional portfolio, a culmination of the knowledge from the required ECE courses in the BAEC major. The portfolio will address professional standards, ethical standards, and a faith reflection. Prerequisites: ECE305, ECE310, ECE320, ECE325, ECE330, ECE340, ECE400, ECE420, ECE425 and ECE430.
Online electives are available for students who need additional credits to meet the 124 credit graduation requirement. Connect with your enrollment counselor to explore the best options for your path.
Online electives are available for students who need additional credits to meet the 124 credit graduation requirement. Connect with your enrollment counselor to explore the best options for your path.
Online electives are available for students who need additional credits to meet the 124 credit graduation requirement. Connect with your enrollment counselor to explore the best options for your path.
