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Early Childhood Education Degrees in Arizona

Arizona educators spend their careers successfully meeting the needs of gifted students, students with unique needs, English language learners, and narrow typical students. These abilities come from experience, a knowledge of teaching theory, and appreciation for the role of teaching in society. This carries through to the specialty of early childhood education, which is consistently demonstrated to influence a child’s ability to learn and interest in learning.

By studying early childhood education in Arizona, you can set students up for success and become a positive force in their lives.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Arizona

Do you work well with young children? Are you ready to take your knowledge to the next level and use your career to give back to society?

Get started now by requesting information from early childhood education programs in Arizona.

In light of research that highlights the long-term effects of early education, Arizona legislators have formed many groups and initiatives to make sure that all children can access the education they deserve. Arizona Early Childhood Education oversees several efforts in this area, including Head Start, child care for low-income families, and access to social welfare programs, state-funded preschool programs, and public education. They are supported by groups like the Arizona Early Childhood Career and Professional Development Network, which aims to fill Arizona schools with highly qualified teachers.

A child with access to early childhood education is less likely to be negatively impacted by poverty, family makeup, and other socioeconomic factors.

Find out how you can help Arizona students by becoming an early childhood teacher.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Arizona

Early childhood education Arizona programs are considerably different from other teaching programs in many ways.

While programs that license elementary, middle, and high school teachers tend to give quite a bit of weight to academic subject areas, early childhood programs tend to focus on knowledge of childhood development and teaching. By focusing on the research, techniques, and applications of teaching, early childhood educators can effectively reach students of different ages, ability levels, and learning styles.

To qualify for a teaching license, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in early education. Students who already have Bachelor’s degrees may enroll in Master’s programs in early childhood education. However, an undergraduate program provides students with multiple teaching experiences that can help them turn into competent, confident teachers.

Commonly Offered Courses in Early Childhood Education

  • Schooling in America
  • Child Development
  • Early Language Acquisition and Literacy Development
  • Classroom Processes and Instruction
  • Children’s Literature
  • Inclusive Education for Young Students
  • Language Arts in Early Childhood Classrooms
  • Science and Mathematics in Early Childhood Classrooms

You may get teaching experience in your very first semester as a teaching student. Quite a few Arizona schools have this requirement, because it allows students to verify that they are in the right educational career path for them.

You can also observe skilled teachers, become comfortable working with students, and see how teaching theories are applied in Arizona classrooms. This builds up to a full semester of student teaching, which is typically completed in your final semester of school.

Since this experience requires at least 40 hours of work per week, many colleges and universities require that students put off outside employment while student teaching.

After getting accepted to a teaching program, you can start to apply for the many scholarship and grant programs in Arizona. Some programs are offered at the state level, while others are federal scholarship programs. Arizona Early Childhood awards several grants to local students, including the Rhian Evans Allvin Scholarship and the Joshua J. Allen Scholarship.

The demand for early childhood educators is growing, making this a great time to get started.

Compare Arizona programs below and contact schools that interest you.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Arizona

All licensing goes through the Arizona Department Of Education. They require proof of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You must also earn a passing score on the Professional Knowledge Early Childhood portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment. After securing a license, you can teach students at the preschool level all the way through third grade.

Although the need for teachers is growing all over the country, it is especially severe in Arizona. Demand for preschool teachers may increased 27% by 2024, while job openings for elementary school teachers may grow 20% (O*Net, 2016).

Salaries in Arizona are on par with national averages. Currently, preschool teachers earn an average of $26,800 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). The average income for an elementary school teacher is $41,940 per year (BLS, 2016).

Take advantage of local resources that can help you become established in your new career. The Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children provides continuing education opportunities, networking events, legislative updates, and other member benefits.

Your path to an early childhood education degree can begin right now.

Explore Arizona schools now and get in touch with admissions advisors to find a school that fits your needs.