Teacher Certification &
School Accreditation Each state has its own requirements for early childhood education teacher certification (also called teacher licensure), and schools teaching young children must be accredited by a governing body.
Before deciding on a school for your early childhood education training, you should check with your state Department of Education (DOE) to find out what its teacher certification requirements are. 
Teacher Certification: General Requirements Teacher certification is granted by each state's Department of Education. Many states require, or will be requiring, certification of all individuals teaching in public school early childhood programs. Early childhood education teacher licensing is even more important as we all want to ensure the safety of our young children. Licensing requirements for preschool teachers vary by state. Some states require a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, while others require an associate's degree, and still others require certification by a nationally recognized authority. Check with your state DOE to find out its requirements. Requirements for teacher licensure of kindergarten teachers also vary by state. However, all states require teachers to have obtained at least a bachelor's degree and to have completed an approved teacher training program. Supervised student teaching is also a requirement. Check with your state DOE to find out its requirements. The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is the most common type of national certification for child care providers. It is often required to work in day care centers, nursery schools or preschools, with an emphasis on either Infants and Toddlers, or Preschool-aged children. See the Council For Professional Recognition website for more details.
Early Childhood Education School Accreditation Accreditation is a process by which organizations certify the competency of schools to teach in a given field. The accreditation process ensures that schools are competent to teach, test and certify their students. There are many advantages for choosing an accredited early childhood education program: - Assurance of a quality education
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National or regional accreditation assures students that an institution of higher education adheres to high quality standards based on the latest research and professional practices. - Qualify for financial aid opportunities
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Accreditation by a national or regional accrediting body also allows students to participate in federally funded and state financial aid programs. In order to receive federal funds, an institution must be accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by The U.S. Department of Education (DOE). All Education Schools only lists schools accredited by a recognized accrediting body. - Earn a more marketable degree
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Attending an accredited institution can also make you more competitive in the job market; some employers will accept degrees only from a regionally accredited institution when considering promotions or salary. -
School Spotlight 
With convenient class locations and options for online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education accessible for working people like you. Whether you're seeking an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in early childhood education, we can help you reach your goals— and sooner than you think. Request information on beginning your early childhood education training from University of Phoenix. |
