Eleven accredited education degree programs in Maryland are focused on prepping college students for PreK-3 certification. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state with over 6.01 million residents, including around 367,000 under age five. Early childhood education majors can find abundant job prospects in Maryland’s 24 school districts as well as programs like HeadStart, Bright Horizons, and Kinder Care Learning Centers. According to Education Week, ranks #1 on its Quality Counts report for educational opportunity. Maryland CareerOneStop projects that Maryland is poised for 38 percent job growth in early childhood education for 680 annual openings and 14,060 total positions by 2024. The BLS shows that the Washington, DC-VA-MD Metro has America’s seventh highest employment level of Pre-K teachers. Pursue your calling to educate the Old Line State’s youngest citizens in the following CAEP-accredited early childhood education programs in Maryland.
Bowie State University
College of Education
Originally founded in Baltimore’s African Baptist Church in 1865, Bowie State University is the nation’s 10th oldest public, historically Black teaching institution within the Thurgood Marshall College Fund that’s endowed for $22.99 million to educate around 5,560 Bulldogs on 338 suburban acres in Prince George’s County. Crowned America’s 44th best HBCU on Niche, Bowie is ranked the 227th best national university for contribution to the public good in Washington Monthly. The College of Education boasts a 91 percent placement rate for its nine accredited education degree programs in Maryland.
Bachelor of Science – Early Childhood and Special Education
Fully CAEP-accredited through 2020, Bowie State’s Bachelor of Science – Early Childhood and Special Education program uses a cognitive behavioral developmental perspective to train teachers for addressing the needs of typical and atypical learners in primary grades. The 126-credit curriculum is delivered with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio to study everything from diagnostic intervention to reading acquisition and instructional technology. Majors complete 100+ field practicum hours before a year-long teaching internship at partners like Marlton Elementary School, Chapel Forge ECC, and Crofton Meadows Elementary School to pursue dual Maryland certification. Undergrads may also join Kappa Delta Pi, participate in Education Club events, enter the Project ECEC cohort, and volunteer with the on-site Akoben Academy.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Proctor Building, Room 233C
14000 Jericho Park Road
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 860-3112
fvaldez@bowiestate.edu
Coppin State University
School of Education
Devoted to “Nurturing Potential, Transforming Lives,” Coppin State University is a public, historically Black TMCF member directed by President Maria Thompson that’s enrolling around 3,050 Eagles upon its 52-acre urban campus in Baltimore’s Mondawmin neighborhood adjacent to Robert W. Coleman Elementary. Graded “B” as America’s 49th best HBCU school on Niche, Coppin State is ranked 349th nationally by The Economist based on value and alumni earnings. Offering accredited education degree programs in Maryland since 1962, the School of Education trains urban teachers for tech-driven, culturally diverse classrooms at an average net price of $9,407 yearly.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, Coppin State’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education focuses on diversifying the state teaching workforce by fostering the pedagogical skills to instruct young children from preschool through third grade. The four-year sequence includes 45 general education, 22 major, 33 core, and 27 student teaching credits for well-rounded preparation beyond the classroom. Majors learn from mentor educators at Professional Development School (PDS) sites, such as Mount Vernon Place Early Learning Center, The Bryn Mawr School, Steuart Hill Academic Academy, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Students must subscribe to the TK20 Assessment System for e-Portfolio projects. There’s also a non-licensure Early Childhood Human Development Major available.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Grace Jacobs Hall, 7th Floor
2500 West North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21216
(410) 951-3082
education@coppin.edu
https://www.coppin.edu/academics/earlychildhoodeducation
Hood College
School of Education
Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, Hood College is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution that became co-educational in 1971 to educate over 2,300 Blazers under a $70 million endowment on its 50-acre urban campus in Frederick just 49 miles northwest of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Declared America’s 200th “Best College with No Application Fee” on Niche, Hood is ranked the 38th best Northern school, 13th top value, and 21st most veteran-friendly college by the USNWR. The CAEP-accredited School of Education has an 81 percent acceptance rate from high school graduates with an average GPA of 3.45.
Early Childhood Education, B.A.
Adhering to NAEYC standards, Hood’s Early Childhood Education B.A. is another of the accredited education degree programs in Maryland concerned with certifying student-teachers for igniting a love of learning in young children from preschool to third grade. Spanning three phases, the 120-credit curriculum builds on prerequisites like child development and literacy processes before methods courses and practicum. Undergrads begin with observations in the on-campus Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School before working at off-campus PDS sites like North Frederick Elementary. Presently charging $18,000 per full-time semester, the program also offers internships at the Elementary Reading Clinic. Other opportunities include pledging Kappa Delta Pi, joining the Student Education Association, and teaching English from Seoul to Morocco.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Tatem Arts Center, Room 114
401 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 696-3464
sherman@hood.edu
Salisbury University
Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies
Originally called the Maryland State Teachers College until 1963, Salisbury University is a public, co-educational USM constituent directed by President Dr. Janet E. Dudley-Eshbach on a $45.7 million endowment to enlighten 7,900 undergrad Seagulls on its 173-acre suburban campus in Wicomico County. Named among Kiplinger’s top 100 best values nine times, Salisbury is ranked the 67th best Northern college and 20th best public university by the U.S. News. Also declared America’s 224th “Best College for Education” on Niche, the Seidel School has 19 accredited education degree programs in Maryland.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Satisfying the PRAXIS II requirements, Salisbury’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education selectively admits 61 percent of applicants who exhibit the disposition for promoting young children’s success from infancy through age eight. Requiring a minimum 2.5 GPA, the 120-credit degree leads to the Maryland PreK-Grade 3 certification after courses like technology in education, child development, and early childhood collaboration. Majors complete two blocks of fieldwork before the senior student-teaching internship at diverse placements, such as Pinehurst Elementary, Fruitland Primary School, and Wicomico Day School. Funds like the Penelope Jarman Memorial Scholarship help cover the average net price of $16,683. Students could also study abroad in Auckland, practice in the May Literacy Center, and join Kappa Delta Pi.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Conway Hall, Room 354F
1101 Camden Avenue
Salisbury, MD 21801
(410) 543-6509
teachereducation@salisbury.edu
http://www.salisbury.edu/teachered/ECED/earlyed.html
Stevenson University
School of Education
Endowed for $77.41 million, Stevenson University is a private, co-educational liberal arts institution established by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1947 that’s now serving over 4,180 scholars under President Claire E. Moore’s leadership on a main 60-acre suburban campus in Stevenson and satellite in Ownings Mills. Ranked the 75th best Northern college and 36th top value by the USNWR, Stevenson was picked for America’s 42nd “Best College Dorms” on Niche. The School of Education has a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and average net price of $26,289 for accredited education degree programs in Maryland.
Early Childhood Education Program (B.S.)
Starting the freshman year, the CAEP-accredited Early Childhood Education Program (B.S.) at Stevenson gives undergrad Mustangs the liberal arts foundation for effective classroom instruction of various content subjects in preschools and primary grades. Delivered face-to-face in Owings Mills, the 120-credit bachelor’s integrates courses like youth literature, digital learning, child development, educational psychology, special education, and curriculum design. Boasting a 100 percent Praxis II pass rate, the program satisfies PreK-3 certification with extensive field practicum. Past student-teaching placements have included Washington County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, and Howard County Public Schools. Majors can also join the Teachers of Tomorrow, pledge Kappa Delta Pi, study abroad in Spain, and add the B.S. to M.S. Option.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Garrison Hall North, 2nd Floor
1525 Greenspring Valley Road
Stevenson, MD 21153
(877) 468-6852
admissions@stevenson.edu
http://www.stevenson.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/early-childhood-education/
Towson University
College of Education
Occupying 328 suburban acres in Towson just 15 miles north of Baltimore on Interstate 83, Towson University is one of eight public, co-educational USM constituents operating on a $450 budget to educate over 22,280 Tigers and employ 1,644 staff with outreach programs like the Cherry Hill Learning Zone. Distinguished as America’s 88th “Best Big College” on Niche, Towson is ranked the 201st best master’s university in Washington Monthly. With a 59 percent acceptance rate, the College of Education is also placed 135th nationally for graduate teaching degrees by the U.S. News.
Early Childhood Education Major
Recognized by the NAEYC, Early Childhood Education Major draws on Towson’s 150-year legacy to prepare beginning teachers with in-depth knowledge on how young children develop for high-quality instruction in PreK-Grade 3 settings. Available in Towson or off-campus at the Universities of Shady Grove for A.A.T. holders, the B.S. requires 128 credits with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Courses delve into pre-primary curriculum development, learning assessment, teaching science, education ethics, and more with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. By the junior year, 100 percent of majors are student teaching part-time at PDS partners like Pleasant Plains Elementary and Riderwood Elementary. Majors also benefit from PRAXIS Core Assistance, study abroad trips from Belize to Norway, and access to Urban Needs in Teacher Education.
M.A.T. Early Childhood Education
Accepting applications until May 15th or October 15th yearly, the M.A.T. Early Childhood Education is Towson’s only post-bachelor’s option for graduates to prepare for the PRAXIS II exam and receive their first certification from the Maryland State Department of Education. The 42-credit curriculum has One Year or Extended Year tracks to fit adults’ unique schedules. Requiring a 3.0 GPA or greater, the program blends courses like learning theory, literacy assessment, and classroom inclusion with a capstone internship for five days per week. There’s also a 39-credit M.A.T. Infant/Primary Special Education available. Students can research in the Education Innovation Lab, join the Council for Exceptional Children, and participate in the Maryland Writing Project.
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education
Another of Towson’s CAEP-accredited education degree programs in Maryland is the M.Ed. Early Childhood Education, which is customized for licensed teachers who wish to broaden their practice skills with initial PreK-3 certification. Featuring one of America’s largest ECE faculties, the 33-credit plan includes courses like curriculum theory, child development, learner diversity, and inclusive teaching in a convenient evening format in Towson. Presently charging $9,504 in-state and $17,172 out-of-state annually, the M.Ed. involves building a professional portfolio that reflects NAEYC standards. For capstone, graduates select the early childhood seminar or complete thesis research in facilities like the Center for Leadership in Education. Majors could add the Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Autism Studies or Family-Professional Collaboration.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Hawkins Hall, Room 019
8000 York Road
Towson, MD 21252
(410) 704-2572
eced@towson.edu
https://www.towson.edu/coe/departments/earlychildhood/index.html
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Department of Education
Classified as a public, space-grant RU/H research institution in the SURA Consortium, the University of Maryland Baltimore County holds a $404.9 million annual budget to educate over 13,800 Retrievers in 110+ academic programs from its 500-acre suburban campus in Catonsville just six miles from BWI Airport. Graded A+ for America’s 65th “Best Professors” on Niche, UMBC is ranked the 159th best national university and fifth most innovative school with the 18th top undergrad teaching by the U.S. News. The Department of Education employs PhD-level faculty trained at Brown, Colgate, Georgetown, Valparaiso, and more at a 19:1 ratio.
Early Childhood Education Undergraduate Program
Recently revised in Fall 2015, UMBC’s Early Childhood Education Undergraduate Program leads to a B.S. degree and Maryland PreK-3 certification for students who learn the developmentally effective teaching approaches for building meaningful curriculum that nurtures young children. Based on NAEYC standards, the 60-credit, upper-division track requires picking other majors, such as Psychology, English, Math, American Studies, and Sociology. Students work in at least three different classrooms for children under 5, Pre-K or Kindergarten, and Grades 1-3. Placements could include Joppa View Elementary, Westowne Elementary, Campfield HeadStart, and Grace Preschool. Majors may also take the Boone Street Farm Internship, add the ESOL Endorsement, earn the INSPIRES Grant, and join the Volunteers for Tutoring Program.
MAT Early Childhood Education Certification
Spanning 24 months full-time for $13,194 in-state and $20,286 out-of-state per year, the MAT Early Childhood Education Certification is another of UMBC’s accredited education degree programs in Maryland that leads to initial PreK-3 licensing for students with non-teaching bachelor’s degrees. The 36-credit program integrates competency-based courses for teaching reading, science processes, accommodating special needs, early intervention, and more. With a minimum PRAXIS score of 527, graduates then take a 100-day internship in a Pre-K or primary grade setting. Focused on a “Strong Start for Children,” the master’s offers tuition help from the Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund for childcare employees in Maryland. Already licensed teachers could choose the generalist Master of Arts in Education (MAE) instead.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
Sherman Hall A Wing, Room 413
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
(410) 455-2307
pscull1@umbc.edu
http://education.umbc.edu/early-childhood-education/
University of Maryland College Park
College of Education
Affiliated with Nobel Prize laureates like William Daniel Phillips and John C. Mather, the University of Maryland College Park is a premier public, co-educational RU/VH institution with land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant status that’s using a $280.3 million endowment to instruct 38,100 Terps upon 1,250 suburban acres in Prince George’s County. Deemed America’s 26th “Best Big College” on Niche, UMD is ranked the 60th best university in Washington Monthly. Also placed 32nd nationally by the U.S. News, the CAEP-approved College of Education confers 31 accredited education degree programs in Maryland with 95 percent retention.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education
Delivered by PhD-level faculty trained at Syracuse, Brown, Columbia, UNC, Pittsburgh, and more, UMD’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education leads to dual Maryland certification for PreK-3 to instruct youth with or without developmental delays. Admitting sophomores with 45+ credits and a minimum 2.75 GPA, the evidence-based program instills the methodologies needed to teach the Common Core in culturally and linguistically diverse primary classrooms. Courses like language development, data-driven decision making, reading diagnosis, and behavior intervention are integrated with three fieldwork semesters. Practice is gained with children aged three to five in the on-campus Center for Young Children (CYC). Honors students can conduct thesis research in the Family Involvement Lab too.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
4028 Valley Drive, Building 381
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-2827
crfowler@umd.edu
http://www.education.umd.edu/HDQM/ECE/
According to the NCES, Maryland has the seventh highest average teacher salary of $63,831 at elementary and secondary schools. But early childhood education has a noticeable pay gap since Pre-K teachers report a mean annual wage of just $34,074. Helping very young children to achieve good academic, health, and social outcomes early offers plentiful intrinsic rewards though. In fact, one NEA study found that youth in ECE programs are 44 percent less likely to repeat a grade later. Early educators are able to holistically instill enthusiasm for lifelong learning for children’s respect, teamwork, resilience, and self-esteem. Consider attending one of these accredited education degree programs in Maryland to begin your early childhood career.
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