Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Learn to make a big impact on young students from all backgrounds. Wilkes' Elementary and Early Childhood Education program prepares you to become a skilled teacher with comprehensive instruction and real-world classroom experiences.

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Major On-Campus or Online 124

Why Study Elementary and Early Childhood Education at Wilkes?

Our Elementary and Early Childhood Education degree leads to certification for prekindergarten through fourth grade (PK-4) in Pennsylvania. You'll benefit from our small class size and personal attention from experienced faculty members. At Wilkes, you'll begin participating in field experiences in public and private pre-K-4 classrooms as early as your first semester. These experiences will be in-person as well as virtual.

What Will You Learn as an Elementary and Early Childhood Education Major?

  • You'll gain knowledge of best teaching practices, pedagogy and lesson planning, as well as techniques to ensure you meet the diverse needs of all your students.
  • Our curriculum has a strong focus on reading and literacy, classroom management, differentiation of instruction, inclusionary practices and connection with pre-K-12 partners. You'll learn to be a collaborator and an exceptional communicator.
  • You'll benefit from real-world classroom experience, putting into practice what you have learned in your classes.
  • You'll learn how technology can enhance the classroom experience for a diverse population of students.
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Program Highlights

Reading Minor

An 18-credit reading minor is built into the Elementary and Early Childhood Education program, giving you a strong literacy foundation.

Dual Certification

We encourage you to consider dual certification in Special Education. As a Special Education certification candidate, you'll complete half your student teaching in a special education setting.

Field Experiences

We offer field experience opportunities and seven-week student teaching placements in Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming counties as well as Casa Grande, Arizona.

I get to see all different kinds of student behavior and teaching strategies.

Michael Brown '20 - Elementary and Early Childhood Education
91%

of alumni are working in education by the end of the first year after graduation

250

hours of field and professional development school hours achieved before student teaching

95%

of students who student teach in Casa Grande, Arizona, have been offered positions in the district

Interested in our Online BA?

Earn your degree while working full or part time. Our flexible and affordable program offers all of the advantages of a traditional degree with educational certification along with the flexibility of completing your coursework online. The online elementary and early childhood education program is designed for working adults who have completed 55 credits or an associate's degree.

Explore Our Online Program

Careers and Outcomes

Opportunities for preschool and elementary teachers are expected to grow, due to a continued focus on the importance of early childhood education. Our graduates teach at schools throughout the U.S.

Graduate Schools

  • Arizona State University
  • Florida State University
  • George Mason University
  • Temple University
  • Wilkes University

Employers

  • Casa Grande (AZ) School District
  • Wyoming Valley West (PA) School District
  • Scranton (PA) School District
  • Philadelphia (PA) School District
  • Wilkes-Barre Area (PA) School District
  • Wyoming Area (PA) School District
  • Wiscasset (Maine) School Department
  • Fairfax County (VA) Public Schools
  • Graham Academy, Kingston, PA
 

Professional Development Schools

Wilkes students benefit from the University's strong partnerships with regional schools districts and private schools. Wilkes has developed innovative Professional Development School opportunities with the Wilkes-Barre Area School District at the Heights/Murray Elementary School and the Graham Academy.

These partnerships:

  • Prepare new teachers.
  • Further develop faculty.
  • Improve teaching practice.
  • Enhance student achievement.