Ten CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota emphasize early childhood studies to produce teachers capable of enriching young children’s learning opportunities. The Census Bureau reports that youth under age five make up 6.4 percent of Minnesota’s population of 5.519 million. Under Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota received the $45 million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant to spark new initiatives. Early childhood students are needed to run the School Readiness Program, ECFE Program, Infant/Toddler Intervention Program, and more. The “North Star State” has 286 ALCs and 958 public schools serving PreK-6 children with over 29,000 licensed teachers. According to CareerOneStop, demand for preschool teachers will rise by 2 percent in Minnesota for 240 openings by 2024. Check out the following early childhood education degrees for Minnesotans to develop your teaching know-how.
Capella University
School of Education
Founded in 1993 by Tonka CEO Stephen Shank and Dr. Harold Abel, Capella University is a for-profit, publicly traded education company with a CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice win that’s following an open-enrollment policy to serve 35,889 students online from its Twin Cities headquarters. Ranked the seventh best online university on Niche, Capella was placed #3 by the Global Language Monitor and deemed “Military Friendly” by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Housing seven accredited education degree programs in Minnesota for post-grads, the Capella School of Education is in America’s top 5 percent for location diversity on College Factual.
Master of Science in Education with Early Childhood Education Specialization
Admitting post-bachelor’s graduates with a minimum 2.3 GPA and passing MTLE score, Capella’s Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) program has an Early Childhood Education Specialization that’s offered online for $470 per credit. Within the GuidedPath format, teachers complete one to three courses per 10-week term to better understand young children’s development for age-appropriate curriculum design. The 46-credit degree has courses like classroom management, improvement of instruction, exceptional children, and early childhood reading with one field practicum. Success coaches are available one-on-one to help educators save money via credit transfer and funding opportunities like the Master’s in Education Scholarship of $2,500.
Accreditation
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Contact
225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(888) 227-3552
applications@capella.edu
https://www.capella.edu/online-degrees/masters-early-childhood-education/
Concordia University, St. Paul
College of Education
Since celebrating its centennial in 1993, Concordia University St. Paul has inaugurated President Rev. Thom Ries to lead the private, nonprofit liberal arts institution in the Lutheran Church’s 10-member system and educate 2,800 Golden Bears online or on-site from five acres near the Minnesota State Capitol. Crowned the 243rd best Midwestern bang for the buck in Washington Monthly, CSP is graded “B-” as America’s 209th best Christian university with the 194th top college location on Niche. The College of Education also stands out for the 81st best online bachelor’s and 113rd best online graduate teaching programs on the USNWR survey.
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Adhering to NAEYC standards, Concordia’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is available in St. Paul and online for upper-division transfers to pursue the Minnesota Department of Education’s PreK-3 teaching credential. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, the 63-credit curriculum instills the knowledge and field experience for meeting the developmental needs of infants and toddlers. Undergrads choose from three specializations: Birth-Grade 3 Teaching, Child Learning & Development, or Parent & Family Education. Practice in actual classrooms is paramount to nurture the 1,000 trillion neural connections created by children’s third birthdays. Majors could also register for the CSP Early Childhood Conference, join Teachers of Tomorrow, and teach English in Costa Rica.
Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Directed by Dean Lonn Maly, the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education is another of the CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota for online post-grads to fit asynchronous courses of just seven weeks into their busy teaching schedule. The 33-credit, non-licensure degree supports certified teachers seeking to advance their theories, practices, and philosophies for instructing young children from birth to third grade. Priced at $395 per credit, the affordable courses are delivered via CSPConnect and Blackboard to study topics like language development, play therapy, classroom diversity, learning assessment, and research writing. After the capstone, 92 percent of Concordia alumni receive advanced early childhood education jobs, such as administrator or instructional coordinator.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
350 Hamline Avenue N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 641-8230
admissions@csp.edu
https://www.csp.edu/program/early-childhood-education-teaching/
Minnesota State University Moorhead
College of Education & Human Services
Endowed for $15.6 million under President Anne E. Blackhurst, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public, co-educational MNSCU constituent founded in 1887 that’s now serving 8,140 Dragons in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference upon 140 acres on the Red River across from Fargo, North Dakota. Applauded as the 199th best regional value in Washington Monthly, Moorhead is ranked the Midwest’s 115th top university and 35th best public school by the U.S. News. Also placed 559th nationally on Niche, the College of Education & Human Services occupies Lommen Hall to deliver seven bachelor’s and five master’s options.
Early Childhood Education Major
Awarding a B.S. or non-licensure B.A., Moorhead’s Early Childhood Education Major has a 100 percent job placement rate for training undergrads to instruct children from infancy to age eight in multicultural, inclusive classrooms. MSUM stands out among CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota for producing 15 MN Teacher of the Year recipients. The 59-credit major builds on the liberal arts and sciences core with face-to-face courses like early literacy, discovery learning, and classroom assessment. Students spend 200+ hours practicing at the on-campus Early Education Center and in local classrooms, such as Ellen Hopkins Elementary School. Other opportunities include attending the Minnesota CEC Conference, teaching abroad in Tanzania, and joining the Education Learning Community.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
(218) 477-2216
bensonj@mnstate.edu
https://www.mnstate.edu/early-childhood/
St. Cloud State University
School of Education
Occupying 100 acres overlooking the Beaver Islands in St. Cloud, Forbes’ #14 “Best Small Place for Careers,” St. Cloud State University is a public, four-year institution endowed for $23 million to serve 15,461 Huskies in 200+ majors. Placed 24th nationally for studying abroad by the Institute of International Education, SCSU is tied for the Midwest’s 115th best college and 35th public university on the U.S. News report. The School of Education had an average class size of 23 and coordinated 1,421 field experiences in 2016-17 to promote active, engaged teacher training within 30 CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota.
Major in Early Childhood Education
Affiliated with noteworthy alumni like Debra Carlson and Valeria Silva, SCSU’s Major in Early Childhood Education offers bachelor’s-level courses in the Department of Child and Family Studies for budding teachers to earn Birth-3 certification. Offering a starting salary range of $26,000 to $41,000, the 120-credit degree covers the fundamentals for assessing young children’s learning needs and developing responsive lesson plans. Chaired by Dr. Ming Chi Own, the program applies courses from child psychology to parental involvement with practicum and student-teaching assignments. Undergrads may also join the AEYC, volunteer with the Feeding Our Future Program, pledge Kappa Delta Phi, study abroad from China to Chile, and add the Instructional Technology Certificate.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Education Building B109
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 308-0121
scsu4u@stcloudstate.edu
https://www.stcloudstate.edu/programs/early-childhood-education/default.aspx
University of Minnesota Duluth
College of Education and Human Service Professions
Established as the Duluth Normal School in 1902, the University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, sea-grant APLU research branch with a $249 annual budget to educate 9,907 Bulldogs in 85 fields of study from a 244-acre, 50-building campus along Lake Superior in Saint Louis County. Ranked America’s 190th best public college overall on Forbes, UMD is deemed the 47th best Midwestern school and 28th most veteran-friendly university by the U.S. News. Positioned 439th nationally on Niche, the College of Education and Human Service Professions has eight CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota headed by Dr. Jane A.K. Carlson.
Unified Early Childhood Studies Major
Retaining 76 percent of freshmen on average, UMD’s Unified Early Childhood Studies Major leads to a B.A.Sc. degree and dual Minnesota licensure for PreK-3 teaching to produce educators who customize young children’s inclusive instruction for diverse ability levels. The 135-credit bachelor’s program is available in Duluth or through a partnership with Mesabi Range Community and Technical College. After passing the MTLE Basic Skill Test, majors delve into campus-based courses for children’s literature, developmental psychology, special education, learning technology, and creative expressions. Two blocks of student-teaching are mandated at partnering schools, including Piedmont Elementary and Many Rivers Montessori. Undergrads can also volunteer on-site with Children’s Place, join EMSA, and earn the Bohannon Merit Scholarship.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
Education Building 150
412 Library Drive
Duluth, MN 55812
(218) 726-7233
educ@d.umn.edu
https://cehsp.d.umn.edu/departments-centers/department-education/programs/uech
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
College of Education & Human Development
Linked to 25 Nobel laureates, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the five-campus system’s flagship public, sea-grant RU/VH hub led by President Eric W. Kaler to educate 48,231 Gophers upon 2,730 acres in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Graded A+ as the 89th best college with the 36th best student life nationwide on Niche, UMN is ranked the 53rd top global university by Times Higher Education. Funded by the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial, the College of Education & Human Development created the Institute of Child Development in 1925 for early childhood excellence in America’s 21st best education school according to the U.S. News.
B.S. in Early Childhood Education Foundations
Selectively admitting 45 percent of applicants, UMN’s B.S. in Early Childhood Education Foundations is one of the premier CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota offering hands-on training in the on-campus Shirley G. Moore Lab School. The four-year plan assembles a liberal core before a 73-credit major that unlocks Early Childhood Education (Birth-3), Elementary Education (K-6), and Early Childhood Special Education (B-6) credentialing. Expect courses like human geography, cognitive development, linguistics, motor learning, and disability adaptation with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. For $13,700, students can add cross-cultural experience in Salvador and Feira de Santana, Brazil. Majors also join the CEHD Student Board, ASL Club, and Child Psychology Student Organization.
M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
Priced at $676 for Minnesotans and $1,046 for non-residents per credit, the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education is another initial licensure option from the Institute of Child Development for post-grads to change career paths for instructing youth from infancy to age eight. Starting each Spring, the 52-credit degree takes four to five semesters full-time to learn the Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers (SEPT). Graduates who’ve passed the MTLE Basic Skills Test can apply until September 15th yearly to begin courses like social studies instruction, emotional learning, exceptional children, and pedagogical methods. Ten credits of clinical experience at the Lab School or local schools like Burroughs Elementary are integrated before the capstone.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
51 E. River Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 624-0526
icdapply@umn.edu
http://www.cehd.umn.edu/icd/about/
Walden University
Riley College of Education and Leadership
Attracting 48,982 non-traditional learners from 50 states and 22 nations, Walden University is a for-profit, public benefit corporation founded by Bernie and Rita Turner in 1970 that’s taken education online from its Minneapolis headquarters. Although Walden had a 95 percent recommendation rate on GraduatePrograms.com and was ranked America’s 79th top online university on Niche, it was featured in Forbes’ article “For-Profit Colleges Encourage Huge Student Debt.” The Riley College of Education and Leadership currently charges $720 per credit or $22,500 total for another of the CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota for early childhood.
M.S. in Early Childhood Studies
Reflecting NAEYC guidelines, Walden’s M.S. in Early Childhood Studies is an online, non-licensure master’s option for certified PreK-3 teachers to empower their skills and abilities for enhancing student achievement in inclusive classrooms with confidence. Offering a $1,500 sign-up grant, the 33-credit degree has four specializations for Administration Management and Leadership, Early Childhood Public Policy and Advocacy, Teaching Adults in the Early Childhood Field, or Teaching Diversity in Early Childhood Education. Expect taking 21 credits of core courses like early childhood collaboration before nine specialization credits and a three-credit capstone seminar. Only 15 post-baccalaureate credits graded “C” or greater can be transferred. Graduates may continue into the Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education for university faculty roles.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
100 S. Washington Avenue #900
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(800) 925-3368
academicadvising@mail.waldenu.edu
https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/ms-in-early-childhood-studies
Winona State University
College of Education
Located atop a 125-acre campus near Sugar Loaf in Winona overlooking the Mississippi River, Winona State University has grown from the West’s first teaching college in 1858 to a public, co-educational MNSCU member endowed for $38.3 million to instruct 9,993 Warriors today. Named America’s 140th safest college on Niche, WSU is ranked the 71st best Midwestern college, 16th top public school, and 41st best for vets university by the U.S. News. The College of Education is led by Dr. Tarrell Portman to provide Minnesota’s #1 elementary educator prep according to Teacher.org.
BT in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Emphasis
Housed in Gildemeister Hall, Winona State’s BT in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Emphasis is the only one of CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota that confers a Bachelor of Teaching to cover both Birth-3 and K-6 certification. Holding a freshman retention rate of 78 percent, the 103-credit education sequence suits ambitious undergrads seeking to support young children from six weeks old through fourth grade. Courses requiring a minimum 2.75 GPA include speech communication, family sociology, emergent literacy, and curriculum design. Clinical practice is gained at the University Children’s Center before the last term of student-teaching and edTPA assessment. Majors also join Kids First, attend the B-20 Leadership Summit, and study abroad in 60+ countries.
Accreditation
• Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
Contact
175 West Mark Street
P.O. Box 5838
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 457-5362
PWarner@winona.edu
http://www.winona.edu/earlychildhood/programs.asp
Becoming a preschool teacher to instruct toddlers from two to five years old in the “Gopher State” could only require an associate degree for earning an average yearly salary of $33,300. Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s furthers your advancement ability with Minnesota licensure to generate higher wages though. For example, CNN Money recognized education program managers for having America’s 67th “Best Job in America” with median pay at $58,700. Maximize your career potential helping youngsters grow in these CAEP accredited education degree programs in Minnesota.
Related Resource: 20 Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education
