From birth, children are constantly learning, and early childhood education is essential to their development, those seeking careers in this field should look into accredited education degree programs in Louisiana. Early childhood educators have a significant impact on the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of young children, aged birth through eight years. Louisiana is home to an abundance of schools and educational centers that are geared toward young children. Many colleges and universities in the state offer high quality programs to prepare students for careers in early childhood education. To see more accredited education degree programs in Louisiana, visit Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in Louisiana (S-Z).
Louisiana State University and A&M College
School of Education
The School of Education at Louisiana State University and A&M College is committed to preparing professional educational leaders and specialists that have a solid understanding of traditional and contemporary aspects of today’s education field. It offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, research, and counseling. These accredited education degree programs in Louisiana prepare educational professionals to work in PreK through 12 grade settings. Graduates of the programs offered by the School of Education thrive as effective professionals, reflective practitioners, and inquisitive educators.
Bachelor of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: PK-3 Teacher Certification
The Bachelor of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: PK-3 Teacher Certification is a field-based program intended to prepare students to pursue careers in early learning settings, such as preschool programs and early primary grades (preK-3). Throughout the program, students apply course concepts to practical experiences by engaging in field-based activities in early childhood environments. The program requires the completion of a total of 120 to 122 semester hours including general education courses, core courses, and electives. The core early childhood education courses include introduction to early childhood education, teaching, schooling and society, characteristics of learners with exceptionalities, management of family systems and services, introduction to classroom technology, development of young children, early childhood curriculum, early childhood pedagogy, children’s literature, and assessment and planning for reflective instruction. Students also participate in student teaching experiences in diverse educational settings and a capstone seminar in early childhood education.
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in early childhood education is intended to enhance the knowledge of current certified teachers working in early childhood settings, such as preschool, kindergarten, and primary school environments. Students gain a theoretical and practical understanding of child development, teaching methods, and evidence-based interventions as they are related to young children. They also develop the necessary research and evaluation abilities for assessing the efficiency of instruction. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate courses, including curriculum studies, humanistic and behavioral studies, research, early childhood education content, and electives. Field experience is also a key component of the program and students observe classroom environments and reflect on how they can apply course content to education settings. Students must also complete a six-hour thesis component.
Accreditation
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Louisiana State University
School of Education
223 Peabody Hall
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
225-578-9135
fmathe1@lsu.edu
http://www.lsu.edu/majors/hse/pk-3-teacher-certification.php
http://www.lsu.edu/chse/education/graduate_programs/earlychildhoodmed.php
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Department of Education
The Department of Education at Louisiana State University at Alexandria is committed to providing quality instruction and inspiring scholarship that promotes a strong academic performance. It adheres to high ethical standards and engages in active service with the intention of making a positive impact on the lives of future educators, their students, and individuals in the surrounding communities. The accredited education degree programs in Louisiana offered by the Department of Education provide graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to become effective teachers who are determined to meet the educational, physical, and cultural needs of all students.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with add-on certification in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is intended to prepare individuals who possess the knowledge, abilities, and character to make a positive impact on the growth of students in grades one through five. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours, including general education and core courses. Core courses include early childhood and elementary children’s literature, child psychology, characteristics of exceptional students, teaching computer literacy in the elementary and secondary schools, assessment and use of data, materials and methods in elementary science, special topics in education, and meeting diverse needs in today’s classroom. Students must also complete a student teaching experience. The add-on certification in early childhood education (PK-3) requires the completion of an additional 15 credit hours. The courses include introduction to early childhood education, organizing and operating early childhood education programs, curriculum in early childhood education, children’s literature and emergent literacy, social development and young children, and practicum in early childhood education.
Accreditation
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
Education
Mulder Hall Room 388
8100 Highway 71 South
Alexandria, LA 71302
318-473-6474
sblack@lsua.edu
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
School of Education
The School of Education at Louisiana State University in Shreveport strives to create the ideal environment for students to pursue their dreams. It focuses on the fact that education is the foundation for the future. The mission of the school is fostering responsible professionals who are dedicated to diversity, quality instruction, and critical thinking. The purpose of the school is to promote successful educators who are leaders in classrooms, schools, and communities. The School of Education offers various accredited education degree programs in Louisiana at the undergraduate and graduate levels in an array of areas.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is intended for students seeking to teach preschool, kindergarten, or primary grades. The program requires the completion of 123 credit hours including general education courses, core courses, and student teaching experiences. The core courses include introduction to foundations of education, foundations of early childhood education, introduction to technology in education, introduction to special education, methods and materials of early childhood mathematics, methods and materials in elementary science, materials and methods in elementary school social studies, and materials and methods in elementary language arts. The clinical practice component involves a supervised experience in planning, directing, and assessing learning activities in elementary education. Graduates of the program are prepared to teach in an array of settings, such as public and private preschools, community programs, child care programs, and public elementary schools. Graduates are able to gain certification to each up to the third grade level.
Accreditation
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
Department of Education
Business and Education Building
Room 117D and 384B
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
318-797-5032
pat.doerr@lsus.edu
Louisiana Tech University
Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership
The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership at Louisiana Tech University offers various accredited education degree programs in Louisiana. The department is composed of a community of practitioners and researchers striving to change educational experiences for an improved world. It offers both traditional and alternative certification pathways in education, including elementary grades prekindergarten through third grade, first grade through fifth grade, secondary grades, and special education. The faculty members of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership are nationally known for their practices in teaching and learning, research, publications, and presentations.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education prepares students to become teachers that greatly contribute to the education and development of young children who will grow up to do great things in the world. The program consists of a rigorous curriculum that requires the completion of 126 credit hours, including 39 hours of general education, 33 hours in early childhood education, 15 hours in learning environment, 15 hours in methodology and teaching, and 24 hours of additional coursework. Examples of core coursework include early childhood development, early childhood curriculum organization and framework, learning and development, materials and methods for early childhood/elementary mathematics, materials and methods for elementary language arts, materials and methods for elementary reading, methods of teaching kindergarten, literacy development, and techniques for observing and assessing young children. The methodology and teaching component involves student teaching experiences in various areas such as prekindergarten, kindergarten and first grade, grades second and third, reading, and social studies.
Accreditation
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
Louisiana Tech University
College of Education
Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership
600 Mayfield Avenue
Woodard Hall 101
Ruston, LA 71272
318-257-3712
dschill@latech.edu
https://catalog.latech.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=14&poid=3774
McNeese State University
Burton College of Education
Burton College of Education at McNeese State University prepares students to pursue roles in the teaching profession or helps current professionals continue their education. It also encourages research and the development of new knowledge to improve the education field in both state and country. The goals of the college are to enable students to develop their roles as educators and other professionals and prepare them to become leaders in the community. It offers programs through three different departments. Among its programs include accredited education degree programs in Louisiana, including undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Grades PK-3
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education PK-3 is intended for students seeking initial teacher certification. The program requires the completion of a total of 120 credit hours including general education courses, major core courses, and student teaching experiences. The core major courses include foundations of early childhood education, orientation to multicultural and special education, educational technology foundations, foundations in early childhood education and early invention, mathematics for elementary school teachers, theories and principles of learning and teaching, introduction to teaching reading, phonics in elementary school, child development, methods of teaching reading in the elementary school, methods and materials for early childhood special education, and methods of teaching language arts in the elementary school. During the senior year students must participate in practicum and field experience activities, including classroom observations. In the last semester, students engage in student teaching experiences in actual school settings.
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction: Early Childhood Education program prepares current educators to pursue master or lead teacher, instructional specialist, curriculum coordinator, or related positions. The program requires the completion of 36 credit hours including major courses and practicum experiences. The major courses include foundations of educational research, learning and cognition, foundations of advanced teaching, methods of teaching mathematics in early childhood, reading and language development in early childhood K-3, science curriculum for elementary school. The practicum in early childhood education is a supervised laboratory experience in teaching nursing and kindergarten children. Students in the program also learn about the supervision of student teachers to pursue positions as supervisors in student teaching experiences.
Accreditation
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
McNeese State University
Burton College of Education
4205 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA
337-475-5000
jbroussard@mcneese.edu
http://catalog.mcneese.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=11&poid=1624&returnto=442
http://www.mcneese.edu/gep/master_of_education_in_curriculum_and_instructio
Northwestern State University
College of Education and Human Development
Through its Department of Teaching Leadership, and Counseling, the College of Education and Human Development at Northwestern State University offers accredited education degree programs in Louisiana. The programs include early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education with various concentrations, Master of Arts programs, Master of Education programs, and education specialist programs. It also offers add-on certification programs. The goal of the college is to produce knowledgeable and competent educators that meet the educational needs in the state of Louisiana. The programs lead to teacher licensure in Louisiana.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Grades PK-3
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Grades PK-3 prepares students to teach young children in prekindergarten through grade three. The program leads to initial teacher certification. The program requires the completion of 124 semester hours that includes general education coursework, focus area courses, knowledge of the learner and learning environment, methodology in teaching, student teaching, and flexible hours. The core courses include orientation to early childhood education, child development and appropriate practices for young children, appropriate practices for infants and toddlers, program design and classroom management for young children, environments for young children, early childhood methods, foundations for multicultural education, instructional planning, and applications of teaching literacy in the elementary classroom. Students must also complete a student teaching in early childhood education component that involves observing planning, and teaching in a school environment for at least five hours a day.
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is an advanced program that builds on the foundation that current educators have mastered at the undergraduate level to encourage their work with young children, their families, and the community. The program is intended for individuals interested in enhancing their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in working with young children aged birth through eight years. Students must complete at least 36 credit hours including core courses and practicum experiences. Students also have the option to complete a research course or a thesis component. The core courses include curriculum development for school improvement, instructional improvement and assessment, educational research and evaluation, curriculum and spaces for infants and toddlers, positive relationships with children, families, and communities, trends and issues in contemporary early childhood/primary programs, early childhood/primary learning space design, and early childhood/primary practicum.
Accreditation
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Northwestern State University
College of Education and Human Development
175 Sam Sibley Dr
Natchitoches, LA 71497
318-357-6144
education@nsula.edu
https://education.nsula.edu/program-offerings/undergraduate-plans-of-study/
https://education.nsula.edu/program-offerings/med-early-childhood-education/
A strong education system is essential for the overall success of today’s workforce. Completing a degree in early childhood education is a great choice for those seeking to make a difference in the lives of young children as early as birth. Individuals looking into educational options should greatly consider accredited education degree programs in Louisiana.
Related Resource: 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Online
