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B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education

Major Teaching Endorsement
125 credit hours
100% career outcome rate1

12:1
Student-to-faculty ratio

90%
Faculty with terminal degree

During the early childhood span from birth through third grade, children go through a rapid phase of growth and development. These formative years are critical for supporting cognitive, social, emotional, physical and faith development which lay the foundation for children to achieve their fullest learning potential. With a career in early childhood education, you can guide children through the most crucial stage in their development.

The early childhood education program at Concordia University, Nebraska equips teacher candidates with a current and well-researched curriculum to help you teach children at a critical stage in their growth and development by creating an education program specific to their needs. In addition to adding the supplemental early childhood endorsement to an elementary teaching degree, Concordia Nebraska also offers a stand-alone, birth through third grade inclusive program. With this degree, you will be able to teach and provide services to infants, toddlers, preschoolers and Kindergarten through third grade children, including those with special developmental or learning needs. Concordia’s early childhood inclusive program teaches students the most current research and best practices to help young children learn and grow.

A degree in early childhood education can benefit you if you plan to teach in a pre-k to third grade classroom, work as a teaching assistant, special education assistant, in a childcare program or as a nanny. If you have a passion for young children and want a career that helps give them the best possible start in life, then early childhood education might be the right choice for you.

Early Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education Courses

Program Differentiators

Core Concepts

The early childhood inclusive education program at Concordia University, Nebraska seeks to prepare students to work with children and families in diverse and inclusive early care and education settings. The program will help prepare educators to help young children develop into confident individuals who can succeed in today’s rapidly changing society. Students are equipped to serve as professional early childhood inclusive educators in the schools of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, public schools and other private and parochial schools.

Dr. Annette Anschutz - Education

Dr. Annette Anschutz likes teaching early childhood education because young children don't think inside a box, but are free to be creative in a way that adults often aren't. Learn more about Dr. Oliver in this Faculty 5 video

Concordia University - Education Department

Testimonials

 

In our education classes, we go do observations and fieldwork every day and get to be with the kids and do the same things we'll do when we're teachers, which really helps prepare us for that next step.
Grace Bernhardt
Saint Charles, Missouri

Resource Articles

Concordia NebraskaEarly Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education: Learning Objectives

Students studying early childhood education at Concordia University, Nebraska will learn the basic principles of early childhood methodology, including history, philosophy, careers, leaders, curriculum, current trends and models and print and technological resources.

In more advanced early childhood education courses, students will study industry standards, curriculum development, instructional practices and assessment appropriate for birth through third grade children.

Students can also enroll in classes that focus on early childhood education literacy development, instructional technology, teaching the Christian faith, art and music education and more.

Concordia NebraskaEarly Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education: Program Goals

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Students will demonstrate the ability to plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum for an inclusive early childhood classroom.

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Students will develop strong interpersonal skills, self-awareness of teaching methods, critical thinking and the flexibility and care needed to be a successful early childhood educator.

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Students will be able to identify major theories and theorists in the field of early childhood education as well as social and ethical issues that affect children and their families.

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Students will demonstrate the ability to express themselves professionally in writing and oral communication, particularly as it pertains to communicating with young children.

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Early Childhood Education Faculty

As experts in early childhood education, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom.

Meet the faculty

Concordia NebraskaEarly Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education: FAQs

Concordia Nebraska Early Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education: Career Outcomes

Child and Family Advocate

Some families need assistance with childcare and parenting strategies to help navigate them through times of crisis and difficult situations. Families enduring problems with their health, an emotional crisis, a divorce or other issues where the care of their children is in jeopardy often require assistance from a family advocate. As a child and family advocate, you would use your knowledge of early childhood education to provide information to families, assess their eligibility for community services and help them find the right support systems to support their children. 

7% Annual Growth Rate2
$27,000 Entry-Level Salary2
$34,142 Mid-Level Salary2
$47,000 Late-Level Salary2

Childcare Center Director

If you choose a career serving as a childcare center administrator, you will need knowledge and skills as an early childhood educator and manager. You would use the early childhood education degree to oversee the day-to-day operations of a preschoolor childcare center. You would be responsible for legal and fiscal planning, training and supervising staff, setting program goals, maintaining licensing and accreditation standards for the facility and developing strong relationships with parents. As an administrator of a childcare center, you would also be a leader in your community as you advocate for best practices and market your program. While you are eligible in most states to be a center director with an undergraduate degree, it is recommended that you earn a master’s degree in early childhood education to gain the experience and credentials that you would require on the job. 

7% Annual Growth Rate2
$39,000 Entry-Level Salary2
$53,630 Mid-Level Salary2
$78,000 Late-Level Salary2

Early Childhood Teacher

Early childhood brings on significant developmental changes in children. Early childhood teachers need to understand how children develop so they can plan appropriate activities and effective lessons in a creative environment to support and encourage young children. As an early childhood teacher, you would be responsible for creating inclusive lesson plans, implementing a curriculum and working with each student to discover the most effective way of teaching and nurturing.

7.9% Annual Growth Rate2
$34,840 Entry-Level Salary2
$54,230 Mid-Level Salary2
$83,920 Late-Level Salary2

Concordia NebraskaEarly Childhood Birth-3rd Grade Inclusive Education: Related Programs

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Art Education

A degree in art education from Concordia University, Nebraska gives you a broad range of skills with studio- and design-based courses that provide models for both learning and leading in a classroom. Coupled with course work in art history, you will gain exposure to a variety of media, technology, and art methods, all of which prepare you to be an art educator in a classroom or any number of other settings.

Explore the Art Education Major

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Music Education

A degree in music education from Concordia University, Nebraska prepares you to teach vocal and instrumental music to students K-12 in Lutheran, Christian, private or public schools. Some music teachers instruct students in a certain instrument, while others teach general music classes.

Discover the Music Education Program

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Special Education

People who feel a calling toward working in special education will find a career that is emotionally fulfilling and personally meaningful. In addition, there is a shortage of qualified special education professionals in the United States, which means that if you decide to major in special education, you will find a wide array of career options to choose from. Most of Concordia Nebraska’s special education graduates go on to work as special education teachers. However, you can also build an exciting and meaningful career outside a typical school setting, if you would rather go that route.

Discover the Special Education Program

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Elementary Education

As an elementary educator, you are certified to teach children in kindergarten through sixth grade. You will typically spend the day with the same group of students, teaching them foundational skills in a wide variety of subjects. The liberal arts education you will receive at Concordia University, Nebraska, along with subject-specific methodology courses in the education department, will prepare you to be an outstanding elementary school teacher.

Discover the Elementary Education Program

1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.

2 Career salary and wages sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.