So you love young children, you enjoy teaching and inspiring them, and you have decided to pursue a career in early childhood education. What path do you take next? Two available options are to choose to get an early childhood education certificate or get an early childhood education degree.
But what does an ECE degree program encompass? What does an ECE certificate cover, and how do you ultimately choose the one that’s right for you? There are many things to consider as you look into the next steps for entering into a career in education.
What Does an ECE Degree Program Encompass?
A degree in early childhood education typically allows you to be a lead teacher in any classroom from preschool to third grade. Depending on which university you choose to receive your degree from, there will be a variety of classes that you need to complete and a period of time you will need to student teach in an elementary school. Along with general education classes to receive a degree in teaching, you will likely complete course work in classroom instruction, social-emotional education, children’s literature, the multicultural classroom, differentiation, and many more.
What Does a ECE Certificate Program Cover?
An early childhood education certificate is similar to a degree program yet has some significant differences. For starters, an early childhood education certificate often means that you cannot be a head classroom teacher in an elementary school. Still, you can educate children through becoming a teacher’s aide or paraprofessional. The coursework you will complete is similar, though less of it. Typically, a certificate program in early childhood education takes around one year to complete.
Now, how do you choose the path that is right for you?
How Do I Choose What’s Right for Me?
Now that you know the differences between an early childhood education degree and an early childhood education certificate, which one is right for you? While ultimately this is a personal decision and one that you should put some careful thought and consideration into, there are several things to think about before you make the decision.
Professional Goals
Before setting off into a program that leads you into education, think about your long-term career goals. Do you want to be the head of a classroom that makes decisions and choose how their day is run? Then a degree may be better for you. Or are you someone that likes when someone else takes the lead, and you get to be a partner in those decisions? If so, a certificate may be better for you.
When it comes to progressing in your career financially, are you someone who wants to “climb the ladder” or are you content with a consistent income? A degree often means you will have a salary increase each year, while a certificate can mean that you will be paid hourly or not have as many opportunities for pay increases.
Cost
The cost of a degree vs. a certificate also varies, though so do the future earnings. A teaching certificate program costs between $10,000 and $30,000. On the other hand, a degree can cost anywhere from $11,000 a year to $60,000 a year, depending on which institution you choose to enroll in.
While the sticker price might be overwhelming, keep in mind that there is a difference in pay depending on which route you choose. The average median salary in 2020 for someone with a teaching degree was roughly $51,000.
It will be important to think about your financial lifestyle, your career goals, as well as the time commitment you wish to put into your career before making a decision.
Time Commitment
It should come as no surprise that educators put immense time and effort into their careers. From lesson planning, parent communication, professional development, to meeting the social, emotional, and academic needs of every student in the classroom, there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day.
Deciding on how much time you want to put into your graduate education is important. Most master’s ECE programs take about two years to complete, while certificate programs usually take about one year. Think about how much time you’re willing and able to set aside to reach your goal.
You know you love children and have decided to pursue a career in the world of early childhood education. Yet deciding which path to take, whether you want a degree in early childhood education or a certificate, can be a tricky one. It is important to consider your professional goals, the cost of receiving the degree, how much money you can potentially make, and the time commitment once you begin your work in the field. When you have figured out these details, getting started in your dream of educating children will be much easier.
Ready to impact students through early childhood education? Explore our available ECE programs and start your next journey today!
