The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program at Columbia College Chicago provides students with the opportunity to complete both their Bachelor of Arts degree and a Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. This license enables them to teach children from birth through grade two in multiple settings, including public schools. 

The theoretical and practical underpinnings of this program are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to the education of young learners. This approach, and thus this program, is distinct in its emphasis on the arts to encourage creativity, imagination, and learning. This is accomplished through the integration of the arts throughout the curriculum, extensive field experiences, and varied opportunities for our students to take advantage of the expertise of Columbia College’s artists. 

Program Requirements   | 4 Year Planning Tool