Early Childhood Practice Degree

B.A. in Early Childhood Practice (non-certification)

National Louis University’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice program (non-certification) is designed for students who are interested in early development and education but who do not wish to be certified teachers. 

Consider getting your education degree at NLU if you:

• Want to work in child care centers or other settings that do not require state certification
• Want elective options in childcare center practice and infant/toddler practice
• Are looking for a well-established and highly regarded program
• Would like to study with a group of students who will work together and support one another throughout the program

Why NLU for Early Childhood Practice

National Louis has a 125-year old reputation for its teacher training programs, and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NLU has trained thousands of Chicago-area teachers, and graduated more prestigious Golden Apple award winners than any other institution in Illinois. In addition, this education degree program is aligned with the standards determined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to foster the ongoing professional development of teachers.

NLU was at the forefront of the kindergarten movement in 1886, preparing some of the first early childhood teachers to be employed in the Chicago area. Now more than a century later, our National College of Education continues to design and deliver the best teacher education programs. NLU’s early childhood education faculty brings deep experience teaching young children in classrooms, childcare facilities, and communities. NLU’s professional portfolio assessment process documents student learning experiences and practices so that graduates may present a substantive body of work to potential employers. 

Upon Completion You Will

• qualify to work in programs serving children from birth– 5 years old, if those programs do not require certification.
• options to earn an Infant Toddler credential by completing specific requirements as part of this program.

Career Outlook

Wage and salary jobs in the child day care services industry are projected to grow about 15 percent over the 2008-18 period, compared with the 11 percent employment growth projected for all industries combined.

Center-based child care should continue to expand its share of the industry because an increasing number of parents prefer its more formal setting and believe that it provides a better foundation for children before they begin traditional schooling. However, family child care providers will continue to remain an important source of care for many young children because some parents prefer the more personal attention that such a setting can provide. Subsidies for children from low-income families attending child care programs also could result in more children being served in centers, as could the increasing involvement of employers in funding and operating child care centers. Legislation requiring more welfare recipients to work also could contribute to growing demand for child care services. 

Education Degree Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice program (noncertification) requires a minimum of 60 quarter hours or the equivalent in general education coursework for the completion of the B.A. degree. This includes demonstration of competence in all areas of general education. The Early Childhood Practice program accepts the following types of equivalent work: transfer from approved and accredited institutions, appropriate scores on advanced placement tests, and passing scores on CLEP and DANTES examinations.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU’s general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate Application Checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

In addition to NLU’s general admission requirements, applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice non-certification program must also satisfy the following:

• Applicants must sign and submit the “Student Acknowledgement of Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice program (non-certification) Limitations” form to the Office of Admissions.
• Students must submit proof of a negative TB test and documentation of a clear fingerprint criminal background check from the Illinois State Police.