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Early Childhood Education Degrees in Montana

What does it take to help kids from rural and remote areas enjoy the same lifelong success as kids in suburban and urban areas? Many experts say that the answer is early education.

Across geographic boundaries, socioeconomic boundaries, and language boundaries, early education seems to close the achievement gap and give all children the same chance at success.

If you’ve been looking for a way to start a rewarding, in-demand career, the field of early education may be the right choice for you.

Becoming an Early Childhood Teacher in Montana

With its rural layout, the state of Montana has many challenges that aren’t commonly found in more urbanized states. Completing your early childhood education degree at a Montana school can give you the tools you need to work within this area.

Request information from the programs listed below.

The training you get as an early education teacher is focused on the needs of children from birth through third grade. The demands at this level are different from those found in middle and high school, which is why it’s crucial to have a network of experienced educators.

The Montana Early Childhood Project brings together educators, parents, care providers, and others to help children develop to their full potential.

It’s easy to take the first step toward a teaching license.

Reach out to Montana early childhood education schools below to find a program that fits your career goals.

Getting Your Early Childhood Education Degree in Montana

For most aspiring teachers, the quickest path to licensure is a Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree requires at least 120 credits, although some schools require close to 130 credits.

You may start your education with general courses in mathematics, social sciences, history, and physical sciences. Once you have enough college credits, you can apply to your university’s teaching program. At this point, you can also take the Praxis I general knowledge exam.

Once you start your teaching degree, you take core courses like those listed below.

Early Childhood Teacher Courses

  • Health and Movement in Early Childhood
  • Relationships and Family Systems
  • Play and Learning in Early Childhood
  • Integrated Curriculum for Early Childhood Education
  • Exceptional Learners
  • Theories and Skills for Human Services
  • Social and Emotional Development in the Young Child

As you discover the teaching techniques used in different subjects and at different ages, you can put them to work in local classrooms. Your program may send you to preschools, religious schools, elementary schools, and daycares to help you develop a broad range of experience.

If you’re planning on working in Montana after graduation, you may apply for state-funded scholarship and grant programs. The Early Childhood Education P-3 and Leadership Financial Assistance Project provides scholarships to students specializing in this area of study. Like many other state grant programs, this option is based on financial need. However, you do have to meet certain academic standards to keep your scholarship.

Licensing is regulated by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. They require that you start with a Class 2 Standard Teaching License. After you have at least three years of experience and a Master’s degree, you may apply for a Class 1 Professional Teaching License.

Discover how you can use your talents to become an early childhood teacher.

Get in touch with accredited programs near you to learn more.

Working as an Early Childhood Educator in Montana

Your work experience depends on which age you want to teach and which part of Montana you live in. The need for preschool teachers is high in this state. Job openings are expected to swell 9% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2016). Demand for elementary school teachers may stay relatively stable with an anticipated growth rate of 1% through 2024 (O*Net, 2016).

Montana salaries are in line with national averages. Currently, preschool teachers earn an average of $26,370 per year and elementary school teachers claim an average income of $49,730 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).

To maintain your license and further your skills, it’s important to pursue continuing education opportunities. Look into joining a group like the Montana Association for the Education of Young Children to stay on top of local teaching trends.

You know what it takes to make a splash in this field, so get started now.

Contact MT early childhood education programs below.