Program Quick Facts
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Take classes online and student-teach in your neighborhood.
Hands-On Training
Gain classroom experience through supervised fieldwork.
Deepen Your Faith
Build a strong spiritual foundation through Christ-centered education.
Empower Young Students to Reach Their God-Given Potential
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing-accredited PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential program at Vanguard University is built for aspiring educators who want to teach young children, especially in public school settings.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, we offer a post-baccalaureate option for completing the credential that takes just two semesters to finish. For those looking to earn a bachelor’s degree and credential, our Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) is designed for you. In the ITEP track, you can earn your bachelor’s in early childhood education and your PK-3 credential in four years. Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll have the ability to practice what you learn with supervised fieldwork, as well as student teaching in your area with individualized student teaching arrangements.
At Vanguard University, our education programs are taught by professor-mentors who fully care about you and your story. Through our philosophy of Education for Love and Wisdom, we prepare you to be an effective educator who makes a lasting difference in your classroom and school.
Career Outcomes
The PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential will equip you to teach all subjects in a general education classroom, both in private and public schools, at the preschool and transitional kindergarten level through third grade level.
The PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential courses meet the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requirements for a Preliminary teaching credential. By completing your teaching credential requirements, you will be eligible to be recommended to the CTC. Once cleared, your teaching credential authorizes you to teach in public or private schools in California or to easily transfer your credentials to another state.
Upon completion of the credential program, you will be prepared to:
- Create and maintain effective environments for learning by engaging all students in purposeful learning activities
- Present a clear understanding of subject matter and organize instruction for student learning
- Plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students that draws upon and values each student’s background, prior knowledge and interests
- Assess student learning by establishing and clearly communicating learning goals for each student
- Reflect on your teaching practice and actively engage in planning your professional development
The post-baccalaureate PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential program track consists of 30 units.
The Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) track consists of 120 units, including:
- Credential Requirements: 36 units
- Major Requirements: 9 units
Students will spend the first two years of study completing required and elective general education courses. Students at a California Community College may transfer up to 90 credits to Vanguard, or complete an associate degree program and transfer directly to the third year of the credential program.
| Post-Baccalaureate Track Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECED-500 Classroom Management and Guiding the Young Child’s Behavior | 3 Credits |
| ECED-504 Foundations in Teaching for Early Childhood Educators | 3 Credits |
| ECED-507 STEM/STEAM: Math for the Young Child | 3 Credits |
| ECED-530 Lang/Lit for Young Child Multicultural Communities | 3 Credits |
| ITEP Track Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECED-301 Infant and Toddler: Theory and Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED-305 The Exceptional Child and the Inclusive Classroom | 3 Credits |
| ECED-327 STEM/STEAM: Arts and Creative Learning for the Young Child | 3 Credits |
| ECED-405: Advanced Curriculum Design and Development in ECE | 3 Credits |
| ECED-425 Functional Assessment and Evaluation for Exceptional Learners | 3 Credits |
At Vanguard University, you will experience personalized instruction paired with a strong spiritual foundation that fosters knowledge, cultivates character and deepens faith. Our Christian professor-mentors will prepare you to make meaningful contributions in your profession and community, equipping you to lead a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.
Accreditation
