Post Bacc Programs in Early Childhood Education

Featured Programs

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers play a very important role in society. They have an immense responsibility for shaping the academic abilities and personalities of future generations. Job outlook for these teachers is very positive. According to the BLS, employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is expected to grow by 17% from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. U.S News and World Report has touted elementary school teacher among the Best Social Services Jobs with about 248,800 new openings (2010 to 2020).

If you enjoy working with children or make positive contribution in the society, this line of work can be quite suitable for you. Working with children in an educational setting is rewarding career paths that can help you do work that is both exciting and self-fulfilling. But this profession can be stressful too as teachers are held accountable for the performance of the students, which can be frustrating at times. In addition, some schools lack important teaching tools that may make the job challenging for teachers.

Early Childhood Education Programs
Early childhood education programs are offered the associate to PhD level. A bachelor's degree is sufficient to break into the field but some states require elementary school teachers to earn a master's degree. You may also have to major in a content area, such as science or math. Early childhood programs instruct students in various courses such as health and nutrition, educational development, special-needs-care and childhood education.

Career Prospects
A degree in early childhood education can help you work in various settings such as kindergartens, day-care centers, pre-school childcare centers and recreational centers. The salary of these teachers ranges between $31,000 and $76,000 a year.

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers mostly work school hours but at times they have to work before or after school to meet with parents or students. They often spend time in the evenings and on weekends preparing lessons or grading papers.
Post Bacc Programs in Early Childhood Education
The post bacc programs in early childhood education are designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and wish to add a specialization to their credentials. Students in these programs cover various topics such as curriculum and development in early childhood education, classroom management, developmental psychology and children's literature.

In addition to brick and mortar schools, these programs are also offered by a number of online institutes. Those of you who are already working and seek to improve their career prospects can enroll in the post bacc programs online and study alongside their work. The flexibility of the online programs helps you maintain the balance between your personal and professional lives. But you must follow a proper personal schedule and stay organized or else you will not be able to cope with the mounting coursework.