U of I System Early Childhood Education Programs

Do you enjoy working with young children? Have you considered becoming an early childhood educator or advancing your career in leadership roles within early childhood education? You may be a high school student drawn to working with young children or you may have already started your educational journey at a community college or training program. Whether you are looking to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an early childhood education field, obtain a professional educator license, or pursue a Illinois Gateways credential, we have programs to match your interests, suit your schedule, and advance your career.

The University of Illinois System universities at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago are collaborating to expand access to early childhood education (ECE) across the state. These universities offer a wide array of early childhood programs for learners of all education levels, career aspirations, and geographic locations. They also provide options for transferable coursework across institutions.