The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is offered jointly by SNL and the School of Education (SOE).  The degree combines the SNL adult-learning focus in liberal and lifelong learning with the core requirements of SOE’s undergraduate program in Early Childhood Education. The requirements of the traditional SOE degree are modified to reflect the experiences of adult students already working in the child care and education fields. 

Besides serving the needs of current adult students and attracting new students to the University, the degree serves public interests by providing access to education for adult students as well as qualified early childhood teachers for the young children and their families in the metropolitan region who are most in need of such personnel.

Degree requirements can be met by documenting experience and ongoing work in the education of young children, as well through transfer, Education and SNL courses.

Students work with their own advising committe of an SNL faculty member and an expert in early childhood education who help develop a plan to meet their goals, and assess prior learning.

The degree is earned after satisfying 50 requirements, written as statements describing competence. Certain competences are met by specific courses or projects, while others can be satisfied by relevant transfer courses or experience.

SNL courses are in the Chicago Loop, Naperville, Oak Forest and near O'Hare as well as Online. Education courses are at the Loop or Lincoln Park campus.

Program Requirements: There are four areas:

1. The Lifelong Learning Area consists of 12 competences satisfied by 9 required courses or proficiency exams.

2. The Liberal Learning Area consists of 24 competences in 3 categories: Arts and Ideas, Human Community, and Scientific World. Competences can be satisfied by SNL courses, Education courses, relevant transfer courses of C- or better, and documented college-level learning from experience.

Required courses in the Liberal Learning Area include:

 In Arts and Ideas: ECE 286 Art, Music, and Movement for A1X; ECE 347 Children’s Literature for A2X; and LSE 380 Philosophical Issues in Education for A3X. 

 In Human Community: ECE 303 History and Philosophy of ECE for H1X; SCU 207 Social and Historical Issues in Education for H2X; and ECE 336 Child Behavior for H3X. 

 In Scientific World: ECE 331 Beginning Math and Science Instruction for S2X; and a specific SNL course in childhood nutrition.  

3. Advanced Electives consists of 2 competences, E1 and E2, satisfied by several SNL courses, including IN 307 Advanced Elective Seminar: Parent-Child Development Within Cultural Context, and IN 307 Advanced Elective Seminar: Parenting and Family Support in Socio-Cultural Context.

4. Focus Area consists of 12 competences satisfied through 10 Education courses that comprise requirements for certification.

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