Teach in early childhood integrated settings. Earn your Birth Through Grade Three Inclusive Setting Endorsement to teach in integrated settings, including preschools, K-3 classrooms, early childhood centers and Head Start classrooms. Teachers with this endorsement (formally Endorsement 100) may also aspire to serve as administrators for early childhood programs.
Northwestern is one of the only colleges in Iowa that offers an online path to your Birth Through Grade Three Inclusive Setting Endorsement that meets requirements for the state of Iowa*. The endorsement enhances your teaching license but does not lead to licensure for unlicensed educators; it is for teachers who have a degree in elementary education.
It's more than a lane change.
*If you are not teaching in the state of Iowa, contact us and we will check with your state's department of education to determine if NWC's Birth Through Grade Three endorsement is comparable to and can be substituted for a certification in your state.
100% online. 8-week courses.
Earning an endorsement will broaden your teaching opportunities, and it doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Northwestern College's online endorsements mean you can log into class each week to complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you.
Take one online 8-week class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you'll finish your endorsement in just over 1 year and be eligible for financial aid.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship
Educators pursuing a Birth Through Grade Three Inclusive Setting Endorsement may be eligible for a T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarship. For information and how to apply, visit the T.E.A.C.H. website.
Program Requirements
Student Teaching
The Birth Through Grade Three Endorsement requires student-teaching hours logged in a classroom with a supervising teacher. Student teaching can be completed in 4 weeks, typically in your own school and sometimes in your own classroom.
Courses
EDU 505 - Collaboration and Advocacy in the Early Childhood Community (3 credits)
(3 credits) Examine characteristics of the diverse cultures and structuresprevalentin American families, and how those factors influence children's growthand development. This course emphasizes strategies to improvecollaboration with families, schools and community partners to improvestudents' success outcomes. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 525 - Advanced Child Development (3 credits)
(3 credits) Intensive study of typical and atypical development of childrenfrombirth through age eight. This course will immerse you in research thatwill improve your ability to facilitate the cognitive, emotional,physical and social development of young children with diverse abilitiesand needs. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 530 - Leadership of Early Childhood Programs (3 credits)
(3 credits) Thorough examination of roles, responsibilities andcharacteristics ofeffective leaders of early childhood programs with a focus on personalgrowth in leadership and communication. Emphasis on identifying areas ofstrength and need in programs and staffing to create opportunities forimprovement. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 535 - Strategies for Early Literacy Development (3 credits)
(3 credits) Examine widely accepted theories of language, reading andwritingdevelopment in young children. Use research and assessment data toidentify curricula and instructional strategies most suited to thediverse needs of young children. Examine research and develop strategiesto leverage play in providing successful literacy instructionalexperiences. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 540 - Teaching Young Children with Diverse Needs (3 credits)
(3 credits) Students will learn to design curriculum, instruction andassessmentspecific to the needs of diverse children ages 0 through 8. Create safeand nurturing classroom environments that are developmentally appropriateand respect diversity. Collaborate with stakeholders to meet the needsof young children. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
EDU 546 - Behavioral and Social Interaction of Early Learners (3 credits)
Students will understand applied behavior analysis and the importance itplays in early childhood education for both typically developing childrenand those with special needs. The student will acquire tools that they needto positively impact the lives of young children especially focusing onimplementing effective techniques for changing behavior, strategies forevery day challenges both in the classroom and at home and collaborate withparents and caretakers. (3credits)
EDU 580 - Student Teaching (4 credits)
(4-8 credits) ECIS candidates will complete a supervised student teachingexperience in an integrated setting. This practicum endorses the studentteacher to become a teacher in an integrated setting for children frombirth to third grade by preparing the student to schedule, evaluate,collaborate, write IEPs and IFSPs, and to develop strategies to addressspecial needs of children. This is a four-week experience. Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis. Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education.
Total Credits: 22 credit hours (includes 4 credits of student teaching)
Make it a Masters!
Early Childhood M.Ed. + Endorsement
credits 40 | completion just over 2 years (6 to 7 semesters)
Seamlessly earn your endorsement alongside a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education or choose to do so after earning your Birth Through Grade Three Endorsement. You can easily count your endorsement credits toward completing your M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Take just 6 more classes, here's how.
Take the next step!
