Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 3)
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
Turn creativity into meaningful classroom experiences. Help the next generation discover what they’re capable of.
Why Study Early Childhood Education at Winona State?
From the moment we’re born through third grade, our brains are developing faster than at any other time in our lives.
This is when we learn how to communicate, build relationships, solve problems, and understand the world around us. These are also the years that shape who we will become.
And behind every confident learner is often a caring, skilled educator who helped guide them along the way. That’s why early childhood teachers are so essential.
In the Early Childhood Education major at Winona State, you’ll learn how to support infants, toddlers, and early elementary students during these formative years in ways that truly make a difference.
You’ll design creative lessons using music, art, movement, science, and storytelling.
You’ll explore how children grow and develop, how to support different learning styles, and how to create classrooms where every student feels welcome.
Before you graduate, you’ll gain real-world experience working directly with children, so you can see first-hand how powerful great teaching can be.
You’ll also be ready to apply for the Minnesota Early Childhood Education licensure.
As an early childhood educator, you get to look forward to answering fun questions from curious kids, witnessing “lightbulb moments” when learning finally clicks, and helping a child discover their strengths.
If you’re someone who wants to do meaningful work and be part of building a brighter future, this field offers something special.
The impact you make in early childhood can last a lifetime.
This major is ideal for students who have an associate’s degree and who want a bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education.
This program is accredited by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
This program is also available through the Early Childhood & Elementary Education Department.
What Will You Learn as an Early Childhood Education Major?
As an Early Childhood Education major, you’ll explore early brain development, attachment, and responsive caregiving.
Then, you’ll apply these concepts to understand how educators can support early learning from birth through third grade.
You’ll also:
- craft engaging lesson plans across subjects that incorporate play and build confidence during the most critical early years.
- know how to create and manage learning environments that are inclusive and help young children thrive.
- learn strategies for supporting children with different learning needs, disabilities, and gifted abilities.
- dive into education policy to go beyond the classroom and advocate for high-quality early learning opportunities.
Winona State also offers several minors that allow you to further hone your expertise as an educator. Take your pick from Coaching and Child Advocacy Studies to Reading Instruction and Bilingual/Bicultural Education. There are even 4 middle-level minors specializing in Math, Science, Social Studies, and Communication Arts & Literature.
Aside from major- or minor-specific requirements, you’ll need to complete additional requirements through the General Education Program (GEP) to earn your degree from Winona State University.
Learn More about the GEP
Program Highlights
Coursework is delivered entirely online.
You’ll have online work that’s mainly asynchronous plus 3 synchronous sessions each semester.
This major is perfect for anyone who either is already working in the field and wants to get their Early Childhood license or has an associate’s degree in Early Childhood.
As you get more comfortable in the classroom through your clinical experiences, you’ll also develop a portfolio to showcase your skills to future employers.
You’ll graduate with numerous lesson plans representing all content areas—from reading and history to math and science—plus other pedagogy content.
Apply what you learn in the classroom by traveling around the globe. At Winona State, you can earn credit that applies to your teaching degree while exploring the world.
Learn about the South Korean education model and how it compares to the American public school system.
You can also check out our more than 100 other study abroad programs across 40+ countries for student teaching opportunities.
Clinical Experiences
Our Teacher Education programs integrate several hands-on clinical experiences throughout our degrees—meaning you’re practicing the most important skills for the classroom early on and until graduation.
These opportunities will ultimately benefit both you and your future students.
Before you’ve been admitted to the Teacher Education program, you’ll complete an early clinical experience.
You can satisfy this requirement by taking a 100-level class at Winona State. Or, after graduating from high school, you can complete 15 hours of work or volunteer experience with groups of at least 2 children.
Once you’re admitted to the Teacher Education program, you’ll then be placed in a wide range of community and school settings.
You’ll observe, tutor, co-teach, and work side-by-side with experienced teachers.
You’ll also lead your own small- and large-group lessons with K-6 students across different content areas.
These field experiences will set you up for your final student teaching semester.
During your last semester in the Teacher Education program, you’ll be student teaching to prepare you for your career.
Winona State partners with more than 90 school districts to offer student teachers a plethora of experiences.
Previous students completed their student teaching locally in Winona and regionally in the Shakopee, Blooming Prairie, Grand Rapids, and Cokato.
Careers & Outcomes
No day is exactly the same in early childhood education. You might be helping a child read their first sentence, then helping another student solve a problem on their own.
Having a career as an early childhood educator is one that’s meaningful, full of energy, and, above all else, fun.
for Preschool and Childcare Center Directors in Minnesota
for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers in Minnesota
Learn more about what careers are possible with this major and where our alumni have gone after graduation.
This program does not meet F-1 visa requirements for international students.
However, more than 90% of Winona State’s majors and programs meet F-1 visa criteria.
Learn More about International Services
Bachelor's
Bachelor's
Bachelor's, Transfer Pathway