If you have a passion for education and a yearning for wide open spaces, this may be the perfect time for you to consider looking into accredited early childhood education degree programs in Alaska. With its strong education system that includes several strong university-level options, Alaska is a viable choice for seeking higher education in an optimal setting for outdoor enthusiasts of all types. Although Alaska is the largest state in the union, it is one of the least populated, with approximately half of the population of Alaska living in or around the metropolitan area of Anchorage, providing options for both the city-dweller and those yearning for wide open and majestic spaces.
University of Alaska Anchorage
College of Education
The University of Alaska Anchorage is the state’s largest post-secondary institution, located in a greenbelt in the heart of the city, but with city-wide trails available for the outdoor enthusiast. The College of Education, while officially established as a separate college under the university umbrella in 2003, has a history that hearkens back to the first post-secondary courses in education offered in 1954. Partnerships with several smaller colleges around the state and extensive online course offerings allow students to pursue a degree in early childhood education without necessarily having to live in or around Anchorage. The degree programs emphasize not only leadership skills and lifelong learning, but also skills for working in diverse settings.
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
This particular degree program requires completion of 121 to 122 credit hours and provides the successful graduate with the Alaska Type A teaching certificate that includes endorsement in preschool through third grade levels and indicates that the educator is prepared to work with children from birth to age 8. Requirements for this degree involve completion of the general education requirements needed for all Bachelor of Arts degrees, with specific course electives geared toward your intention to study early childhood education. These can include history courses specific to Alaska, human and childhood development courses, and courses in the unique educational needs of Alaskan native children. Core courses emphasize child development, inclusive classroom strategies, educational theory and curriculum development, and the development of literacy and language skills. Requirements also include advanced practicum, seminar, and internship experiences. Of the 122 credit hours required, a minimum of 42 must be obtained for upper division courses, and a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for all coursework.
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Building off of other education programs, this particular degree program prepares graduates to work with children from birth to five years of age who experience developmental delays or disabilities. It emphasizes both theory and practice and leads to recommendation for either an initial teaching certificate or an endorsement for Early Childhood Special Education-Birth to 5 to be added to an existing certification. Completion of this degree involves a total of 36 credit hours gained in specific courses and completion of a portfolio documenting attainment of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards. Courses cover subjects such as data-informed instruction, strategies and assessments, maintaining successful family partnerships in special education, and communication challenges specific to autism. For students in this program who seek an initial teaching certification from the state of Alaska, other requirements include passing scores on either the Praxis I or other test prescribed by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and providing documentation of appropriate field experience in a public school setting.
Accreditations
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact Information
University of Alaska Anchorage
College of Education
3211 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907)786-4400
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/school-of-education/
If you’ve ever dreamed of living and teaching in a challenging and diverse setting, then life in Alaska may be for you. With some of the most majestic scenery and diverse populations in the country, coupled with a top rate university system, seeking accredited early childhood education degree programs in Alaska has never been easier.
Related Resource: Can I Transfer my Teaching Certificate Between States?
