Early Childhood Education, Post Baccalaureate

The Post Baccalaureate non-degree program is designed to allow students with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field to obtain the Illinois Professional Educator License with an Early Childhood Endorsement (Birth – Grade 2). This program is intended for students with an education background who wish to get licensed in Early Childhood Education.  Since the program coursework mirrors that of the B.A. in Early Childhood Education program at NLU, the design of the Post Baccalaureate non-degree program supports candidate readiness to meet the requirements for licensure with great success.

The Post Baccalaureate non-degree program includes a full year of classroom experience in two approved early childhood setting, PreK- Grade 2.

The program is offered fully online or in a blended format.

For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page. 

In addition to National Louis University Undergraduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:

  • Graduate from NLU's Early Childhood Practice or Kendall College's Early Childhood Education program, or another University's non-licensure B.A. program in Early Childhood Education or related field
  • Have completed all previous baccalaureate coursework with a grade of "C" or better as a requirement for Licensure in the state of Illinois

Program Details: 

  • Requires 81 QH for completion
  • Credit for Prior Learning may be accepted for EDU 210
  • Requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 for all Post Baccalaureate coursework with a grade of "C" or better in each course required for Licensure in the state of Illinois 
  • Requires completion of all Professional Sequence courses at NLU

ECE Post Baccalaureate Non-Degree Program

Early Childhood Foundational Courses

EAL 300Educational Foundations for Learning English as an Additional Language

5

ECE 200Early Childhood Learning, Growth & Development

5

ECE 324Integrated Preprimary Methodology in Early Childhood Education

5

ECE 334Language and Early Literacy Development

5

EDU 200Applied Educational Psychology

5

EDU 210Educational Philosophy- A Historical Account

5

EDU 300Teacher Education Practicum I

5

EDU 350Teacher Preparation Curriculum and Assessment

5

SPE 300Introduction to Special Education and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

5

Early Childhood Professional Sequence Courses

ECE 470Early Childhood Education: Student Teaching

10 TO 14

EDU 400Teacher Education Practicum II

5 OR 6

EDU 410Teacher Education Practicum III

5 OR 6

EDU 478Literacy Methods I

5

EDU 480Methods of Teaching Mathematics

5

EDU 481Methods of Teaching Science

3

EDU 482Methods of Teaching Social Studies

2 TO 3

Note: ECE 470 must be taken for 10 quarter hours.

Early Childhood Education Student Teaching Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Pass the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Content Test (206) prior to beginning of Student Teaching
  • Pass the edTPA which is completed and submitted during the student teaching experience as a requirement for licensure in the state of Illinois and completion of the program
  • Provide evidence (through professional disposition assessment) of emotional stability, adequate personality adjustment, competency, timeliness and responsibility for work in the field of education
  • Submit to their advisor a completed Field Experience Application (with all required documents) prior to registering for any courses with field experience hours required