Early Childcare Education and Programming

Advance early childcare and your career

You’re ready to approach your classroom with the precision of a scientist with help from the ECP online bachelor’s degree. This program’s capstone project empowers you to tackle real-world challenges using data that will help you and your students get ahead.

Completing the program is easier than ever. Recent changes to the practicum allow you to apply your current classroom experience while meeting national standards.

As a degree completion program, you can bring in up to 30 credits, helping you get closer to your next step faster. Find out how your credits will transfer here.

It is important to note that the ECP degree is not a path to teacher licensure. If you want to become a certified teacher, consider the Early Childhood Education major.

The State of Iowa T.E.A.C.H and WAGE$ programs might pay a considerable portion of your tuition AND increase your pay after you’ve graduated.

Meeting you where you are. Setting you up for your next next.

Collaborative Advantage of IDEA

Achieve your personal and professional goals through convenient, flexible, high-quality coursework you can complete anytime, anywhere. As a student in Iowa State University’s Early Childcare Education and Programming Bachelor’s program, you will learn from expert faculty who bring real-life experience to the coursework and are committed to helping you transition your learning beyond the online classroom into your career.

The Early Childcare Education and Programming Bachelor’s program is part of a consortium of universities connected through IDEA. While Iowa State University is your home university where you will apply, register for courses and receive your diploma, you’ll benefit from the diverse perspectives and unique strengths brought by classmates and expert faculty at partner universities.

Learn more about the IDEA program at Iowa State.

Admission Requirements

Once you have met the following requirements, you are eligible to begin taking the ECP core courses. But if you haven’t met these requirements, contact an adviser to discuss your path into the ECP program.

Completion of a minimum of 30 credits
Minimum GPA of 2.5
Successfully pass a criminal background check
Completion of Lifespan and Development course (equivalent to HDFS 102 at Iowa State)

Credits

The ECP degree requires a total of 120 credits. This consists of 51 ECP core curriculum credits, 40-41 general education credits, and 28-29 elective credits.

The Iowa State University Catalog outlines the degree requirements.

Tuition

As a member of IDEA, all students pay universal tuition. For more information, visit the IDEA website.

Application Process

You must complete the following steps before you are able to take classes associated with the ECP degree.

Work with our Iowa State Admissions Office to apply to be admitted to Iowa State. Follow these instructions to fill out the online application.
You will be expected to have all of your transcripts sent to Iowa State. They should only be sent to the address below.
Office of Admissions
100 Enrollment Services Center
2433 Union Drive Ames, IA 50011-2042
etranscript@iastate.edu
You will apply for the ECP major. If admitted, you are considered Pre-ECP. You will then need to follow the instructions sent to you in order to accept your offer of admission to Iowa State University which includes paying the $330 acceptance fee. Part of this fee is a deposit for on-campus housing. However, for students who never contract for on-campus housing, the housing deposit portion of the $330 acceptance fee would be refunded on your first university bill.
Once you’ve paid your admission fee, you will need to complete two orientations. One is the University’s orientation, and the second is the College’s orientation. After you complete both, you will be instructed to contact the College’s Student Services office to finalize your orientation. Student Services will then confirm you are done and assign you an adviser.
Contact your adviser to help you understand what classes transferred if you are a transfer student, go over requirements and prerequisites, and to make a plan.
You will get a Registration Access Number (RAN) from your adviser if you need to register for a general education course or an elective.
If you are eligible to take ECP courses, you will work with your academic advisor and IDEA coordinators (idea@iastate.edu) to get registered for any ECP courses.

Students are considered pre-ECP until the following requirements are fulfilled:

Completion of a minimum of 30 credits (either at Iowa State or transferred in from another college or university)
Minimum GPA of 2.50
Successfully pass a criminal background check
Completion of Lifespan and Development (HDFS 102 at Iowa State)

T.E.A.C.H. and WAGE$

3.45

average GPA
17%

average salary increase
99%

would recommend the program to their peers

The State of Iowa T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Program awards scholarships to early education professionals so people like you can continue their education.

Counseling Support Scholarship recipients receive individualized professional development planning, navigating the college system, and addressing challenges to success.

The WAGE$ program offers financial stipends as your education increases.

For more information about these programs, visit the Iowa Association of the Education of Young Children.

Early Childcare Education and Programming – Bachelor’s