Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs of Study
The University of Alaska provides several educational paths for individuals seeking credentials or degrees in early childhood education. For study via distance, the University of Alaska offers a Certificate, Associate of Applied Science and Baccalaureate degree in early childhood education. These programs are professional teacher preparation programs targeting new and practicing early childhood educators in rural communities throughout the state. To prepare competent early childhood teachers the University of Alaska provides students with learning experiences through which they develop the knowledge and skills required for working with children, families, and communities.
See the Alaska System for Early Childhood Development Professional Development Framework for an understanding of ECE professional development and career advancement.
Certificate
Candidates for the Early Childhood Education certificate complete 30 hours of approved study to earn a certificate from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) or University of Alaska Southeast (UAS).
Associate of Applied Science
The Distance ECE/AAS program, expanded in response to the mandate of the Head Start Act of 1998, is a truly unique collaboration between the College of Community and Rural Development in Fairbanks (UAF/CRCD) and the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) in Juneau to bring an enriched early childhood teacher preparation program to all rural Alaskans.
Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Child Development and Family Studies accepted its first degree candidates in January 2005. This BA is awarded by the University of Alaska Fairbanks/College of Rural and Community Development (UAF/CRCD). Admitted students may complete coursework by distance delivery or on the Tanana Valley Campus in Fairbanks. The BA represents another level of collaboration between the College of Rural and Community Development and the University of Alaska Southeast. This program does not lead to teacher certification.
See the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Early Childhood Program for information about the Anchorage campus based BA program.
Master's Level
The University of Alaska Southeast offers opportunities for study at the master's level for practicing teachers seeking to extend and develop classroom skills and abilities in early childhood education. Information about master level study by distance can be found at the UAS School of Education Web site.
