Many accredited education degree programs in Washington, D.C., exist for those aspiring to be early childhood education teachers. This field focuses on teaching children up to the age of eight with the foundational academic and social skills that are necessary for a leading a productive life. It is advantageous to expose children to adequate education during these years as the brain grows faster during this time than any other time in life. Both bachelor and master level programs are available to adequately prepare individuals who desire to be trained to properly teach students during this critical time in their lives.
Gallaudet University
Department of Education
The Department of Education offers undergraduate programs in elementary education, early childhood, and secondary education that include the appropriate prerequisites that are required to receive certification in general education, which is required of graduate-level students in Washington, D.C., before specializing in a field. Graduate level programs, as well as post-graduate certificates, are also offered in the area of deaf education. The department, which focuses on excellence and an appreciation for diversity, houses programs that are approved by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education of the District of Columbia.
B.A. in Education with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education
This accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., requires 120 credit hours of study which are comprised of four units that include 37 credit hours of general studies, nine credit hours of pre-major courses, eight credit hours of major and related courses, and six credit hours of free elective courses. Students learn about foundational concepts, integrated methods, curriculum and instruction, how to teach disabled students, and how to properly assess student performance. Students also take courses that expose them to issues regarding creativity, health and wellness, and diversity and social justice. Field experience hours are disbursed between six different courses which comprise of a total of up to 160 hours.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
304 Fowler Hall
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 250-2468
tramell.henson@gallaudet.edu
The George Washington University
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
The Graduate School of Education and Human Development has a commitment to being civil and showing respect for one another while utilizing education to promote social progress. A variety of programs are offered including master, specialist, and doctoral degree programs in addition to several graduate certificates programs in the areas of education, counseling and human development, special education and disability studies, curriculum and pedagogy, human and organizational learning, and educational leadership. Three joint degree programs are also offered including a juris doctorate and master degree program.
Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education
In this program, students strive to understand the characteristics and causes of student disabilities in order to improve the success and experiences of young children. Students are taught how to utilize psycho-educational tests to develop appropriate instructional planning and behavioral management methods. Students obtain knowledge in the areas of curriculum development, curriculum implementation, child learning, child development, progress monitoring, evaluation, family-based delivery models, linguistic diversity, cultural diversity, and economic diversity. This accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., requires 39 credit hours in addition to two field experiences.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Division of Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children
Contact
Graduate School of Education and Human Development
2136 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-9283
gsehdadm@gwu.edu
https://gsehd.gwu.edu/programs/masters-early-childhood-special-education
The Catholic University of America
Department of Education
The Department of Education seeks to develop leader-practitioners that positively influence the development and learning of their students. The department utilizes a reflective practitioner model which emphasizes for students to frequently examine their actions, thoughts, and words in order to make appropriate decisions pertaining to student learning and issues in education. Several programs are offered including undergraduate programs in the areas of elementary education, early childhood education, and secondary education as well as graduate programs in the areas of special education, early childhood special education, and secondary education.
Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education
A goal of this accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., is to prepare students to be creative, dynamic, and stimulating teachers who are properly equipped to deal with the common issues that early childhood teachers face. Students are taught to engage in meaningful collaborations with other professionals with the goal of meeting student needs. The program, which typically is completed in eight semesters, is structured in three parts that are general education requirements, a teaching specialty, and professional education courses. Students begin their field experiences from the first semester of the program that includes participating in a tutoring program, completing practicum hours, and completing a minimum of 300 supervised hours in a classroom.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
229 O’Boyle Hall
620 Michigan Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20064
(202) 319-6693
bojczyk@cua.edu
http://education.cua.edu/Undergraduate/EarlyChildhood.cfm
Master of Arts in Early Childhood Special Education
This program allows for students to obtain dual licensure through the Graduate Teacher Certification Program or the Master of Arts degree program. Students are taught how to effectively interact with young children and infants who have special needs to help them become successful. The program is known for being centered on familial interactions. Emphasis is also placed on cross-cultural backgrounds and the development of bilingual language. In this accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., students complete course with varying topics such as human growth and development, psychological measurement, education research, language and literacy development, and the psychology of learning. Throughout the program, students complete 500 field experience hours from three placements.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
203 O’Boyle Hall
620 Michigan Ave, NE
Washington, DC 20064
(202) 319-5887
brownc@cua.edu
http://education.cua.edu/Graduate/ECESPED.cfm
Trinity Washington University
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Science is historically a Catholic women’s college which continues to be committed to the education of women while incorporating the knowledge, values, and skills of a liberal arts foundation that promotes student growth. Many opportunities are offered to students that include leadership development, community service, internship, campus activities, and student clubs. The main goal of the faculty and staff is to ensure that students are academically successful which is in part achieved through small class sizes, free writing support, and free one-on-one tutoring.
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
This accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., prepares students to meet the requirements that are necessary to become licensed teachers of students aged 3-8. Students complete courses that increase their knowledge in the field of education which include classroom management, technology in education, foundations of education, education of exceptional children and youth, and reading materials. Field experiences are completed during the first and second years of the program, and a practicum is completed during the third year for two semesters. In the final year of study, students complete a full-time supervised teaching internship in the classroom.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (N.A.E.Y.C.)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (N.C.A.T.E.).
Contact
344 Main
125 Michigan Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 884-9240
jonesdeni@trinitydc.edu
M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education
The M.A.T. in early childhood education program offers a unique opportunity for students to obtain dual licensure in early childhood education as well as in special education, which is the only program of its kind in the District of Columbia. This is achieved by students taking an additional four courses in their program that cover topics pertaining to special education. Students in this accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., develop the skills and obtain the knowledge that is necessary to positively impact student learning of the targeted population of students aged 3-8 which are complemented by field experiences.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (N.C.A.T.E.)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (N.A.E.Y.C.)
Contact
391 Main
125 Michigan Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 884-9562
steenb@trinitydc.edu
https://discover.trinitydc.edu/learn_about/education_programs/#bytype
University of the District of Columbia
College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences offer 24 degree programs including 15 undergraduate, one graduate certification, and eight graduate programs over the fours division of arts and humanities; education, health, and social work; sciences and mathematics; and social and behavioral sciences. The college promotes obtaining and generating knowledge, resolving problems, appreciating differences, and developing expertise in specific disciplines. There is a commitment to being civically engaged, being responsible for maintaining a sustainable lifestyle, having a respect for cooperation, and being familiar with culture and society.
BA Early Childhood Education
This accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., seeks to produce students who are knowledgeable of the subject matter, who can properly use classroom and behavior management methods, who can develop and assess learning activities, and who know how to incorporate assistive technology to increase learning. Students are encouraged to respect diversity and individual needs as well as to be advocates for change in order to improve educational systems. Students in this 126 credit hour program take courses addressing language, literacy, creative arts, materials and methods in science and math in addition to completing practicums and student teaching.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
Building 41, Rm 407-2
4200 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 274.5875
drrichards@udc.edu
https://www.udc.edu/programs/early-childhood-education/
MA Early Childhood Education
The master of arts in early childhood education program requires 35 credit hours. There is a significant focus on practical training in the classroom. A unique aspect of the program is that many of the adjunct faculty members are currently public school principals. This provides an advantage to students as they can be aware of the current issues not only in the field but also in their local area. Master level students in this accredited education degree program in Washington, D.C., provide students with classroom management, assessment, and teaching skills on an advanced level. Students are groomed to become specialists or master teachers in the field of early childhood teaching students up to the third grade.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Building 41, Suite 413-10
4200 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 274.6172
anika.burtin@udc.edu
https://www.udc.edu/programs/early-childhood-education-2/
Related Resource: Top 10 Online Child Development Bachelor’s Degree Programs 2018
The field of early childhood education can be challenging and yet very fulfilling for those interested in shaping the mind of young children. Teaching young children requires patience, creativity, dedication, and sensitivity as well as the ability to keep young children attentive to the important educational material being taught. A variety of accredited education degree programs in Washington, D.C., are available for those interested in becoming a part of this vitally important field.
