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Early Childhood Education (Dual Certification) BS

Admissions Office: AD-101 Suite
Undergrad: 207-859-1101
Grad: 207-859-1255
Email: [email protected]

BS Early Childhood Education Degree

Prepares you to teach young children (typically birth through Grade 3) in both general education and special education settings.

Students pursuing Early Childhood Education at Thomas College have the opportunity to follow one of three tracks, including one that provides dual-certification:

  • Early Childhood Education (Birth-Age 5)
  • Early Elementary Education (PK-Grade 3)
  • Early Education (Birth-Age 5 + PK-Grade 3)

Admissions Office

Office: AD-101 Suite
Phone: 207-859-1101
Email: [email protected]

The program offers field-based preparation that highlights national Early Head Start, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf approaches. Our partnership with Educare of Central Maine provides majors with many opportunities for on-site observations, internships, and student teaching. Early childhood and early elementary students will experience courses that engage in authentic, relevant learning supported by early childhood practices that are developmentally appropriate, research informed, and classroom ready. Coursework is focused on blending early science, numeracy, literacy, and the creative arts. Students also have opportunities to participate in professional networking conferences hosted by Maine Association for the Education of Young Children.

Get a Career In:

  • Birth to 5 Infant Care
  • Preschool
  • Public P-K Teacher
  • K-3 Primary Teacher

At a Glance:

  • 121 credit hours
  • Over 920+ hours of classroom experience upon graduation
  • Dual-certification program
  • Partnership with EduCare Maine

Key Courses:

  • Science for the Young Child
  • Explorations in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
  • Trauma-informed Education and Social-Emotional Learning

Professors:

Richard Biffle, Ph.D., Professor of Education
Richard Biffle, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
Heather Batchelor, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Education
Heather Batchelor, Ed.d.
Professor of Education
Virginia Dearani, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
Virginia Dearani, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education & Chair, Lunder School of Education
Iris Farley, Teacher, EduCare Central Maine
Iris Farley ’21, Teacher
EduCare Central Maine
 

“The School of Education has helped me grow as a learner by allowing opportunities to try new learning techniques and how to effectively teach them to young children. As an individual, the School of Education has taught me there is always someone willing to help, no matter what the circumstances.”

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