A new major at UMD will help to address the nationwide shortage of early childhood educators. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (ECE) emphasizes holistic child development, play-based learning and cultural responsiveness.
Associate Professor Jodie Riek was enlisted to develop the program through the UMD Paul & Mary Ann Schmidt Endowed Professorship in Early Childhood Development. “We designed this program to be responsive to both the realities of today’s early childhood workforce and the needs of future teachers,” says Riek. “By combining flexible scheduling, early and ongoing field experiences, and a streamlined pathway to licensure, we hope to make becoming an early childhood educator more accessible and sustainable for students across the region.”
This is the only early childhood education bachelor’s degree program in the region. It’s also distinctive in that it offers a path to teacher licensure. The ECE BASc emphasizes hands-on experience. Through the program, students will be immersed in field experience in child care, preschool, and elementary settings.
The curriculum focuses on holistic development, including foundational areas such as health, safety, and well-being, while emphasizing the importance of play and experiential learning. Courses incorporate social justice and culturally responsive practices. Graduates will be uniquely prepared to support diverse young learners, including Indigenous students and multilingual learners.
“Every child is unique. We want to make sure these future teachers have strategies and tools to recognize where students are at so they can meaningfully engage and support them in their learning,” says Riek.
The early childhood education major was created with flexibility in mind. Traditional students can pair it with related majors or minors. Key in-person courses are scheduled in the late afternoon and evening to accommodate the work schedules of current professionals. In addition, the degree is easily attainable in two years for those with an associate's degree.
Locally, this program can help to meet a dire workforce need. Riek points out that more than 1000 children in Duluth lack childcare, an issue driven primarily by staffing shortages.