Online program to become an early childhood education teacher

Enroll in our accelerated program and fast-track your journey towards earning a bachelor's degree and a Wisconsin early childhood teacher license. Build a strong foundation in early childhood education through online courses, and then enhance your experience by student teaching in classrooms or licensed early childhood facilities. The faculty are practicing educators and they will help you become advocates for birth to third grade.

Virtual Tour
Program Overview

You will develop the skills and understanding to teach and help children at various stages of learning from birth to 3rd grade. Take courses on the latest educational theories and practices to build your knowledge in the field of early childhood. You will then progress to specific early childood education courses that focus on how infants, toddlers, and younger children develop intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.

Complete the required student teaching at the early childood education level in an approved educational setting. You will receive regular reviews and feedback from faculty and your supervising teacher as you go through student teaching.

Program Videos
What to Expect

Upon completion, you will be qualified to teach from birth through the third-grade level in Wisconsin. 

  • 8-week sessions for courses
  • Primarily engage in online courses that can be taken when it fits your schedule
  • Select courses will be taken live via Zoom on a scheduled night of the week with the professor
  • Pre-student teaching is a 30-hour experience that is completed the semester before you do your student teaching. You will begin to deliver instruction during this time.
  • Student teaching takes place in your final semester in a facility or school with a licensed teacher. 
  • Acceptances into the program occur throughout the year
  • Multiple start dates in the fall, spring, and summer trimesters
  • Transfer up to 84 credits under the program director's approval
  • This program accepts up to 6 credits of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). 
    • Submit a narrative on your previous lived experiences related to early childhood that aligns with this program's objectives. This is submitted after you have enrolled and started courses.
    • Pay a reduced rate for these PLA credits
  • Option to earn a Christian or Lutheran teacher diploma for additional credits

Latest News

From teaching her lined-up dolls as a child to instructing college students today, meet La Tasha Fields (’25), a graduate of the Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI) program at CUW.

The Uncommon Professor: Her Next Act Begins With a Doctorate

From teaching her lined-up dolls as a child to instructing college students today, meet La Tasha Fields (’25), a graduate of the Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement (LICI) program at CUW. Read More

Answering the Literacy Crisis: Why Become a Reading Teacher or Reading Specialist at Concordia

Across the nation, schools are facing an urgent literacy crisis. Reports show that far too many...
Math meets creativity: When numbers come alive through art

In Concordia’s Elementary Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Mathematics course, future...
Second Concordia Summit for Educators and Leaders served up fellowship and professional development for attendees

Starting two year's ago, the Concordia Summit for Educators and Leaders, has returned due to...
The Uncommon Teacher Whose Path to CUW Was in God’s Time

Meet Dawn Randall, a multilingual teacher, who recently graduated in the Leadership in Innovation...
Read More

Questions? We’re here to help!

Get answers to your questions

Our team is standing by to assist you with additional program details, financial aid options, and admissions questions.