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Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Arts

Governors State University is known for providing accessible, responsible, and high-quality opportunities for higher education near Chicago, IL. With academic excellence a top priority, we are committed to preparing our students for success, not just with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the professional world but with confidence that propels them into their prospective industries. With an early childhood education degree from Governors State University, our students are prepared to serve as teachers and other educational professionals, making a positive impact in the real world.

Why Study Early Childhood Education?
The earliest years of life are the foundation for a child’s future development, providing a strong base for lifelong learning. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), children who receive early childhood educational opportunities are more successful on average as they continue in their educational and professional futures.

In one study, there was a group of students who were followed from a quality early education through their later educational years. That group was compared to another group of students in a control group. When looked at years later, the students who had a high-quality educational experience earlier on had fewer discipline issues, scored better on tests, had better behavior, were more social, and had higher attendance rates. You can see how many of the skills that children develop in their early years lay the foundation for how they view education throughout the remainder of their lives.

For example, if a child is taught to use his or her fingers to do addition in the early years, finger counting may be the method for which the child feels most comfortable when learning new math skills. If the child is able to do addition mentally during his or her early years, mental math will be easier as the child grows and learns other mathematical skills. Is one way right or wrong? It depends on who you ask, but the point goes to show that skills learned in the early stages of development and learning will often follow a child throughout the rest of his or her primary school years.

Since early childhood education begins at birth and extends through grade two, there are other skills that need to be learned, and our Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education goes over those skills. These foundational principles will not only help your young students in their current season of life but will also set them up for success as they grow and develop. The satisfaction that comes with being a part of that process is unparalleled.

Intakes

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description	IELTS (1.0 -9.0)	TOEFL IBT (0-120)	TOEFL CBT (0-300)	PTE (10-90)
Expert	9	120	297-300	86-90
Very Good	8.5	115-119	280-293	83-86
Very Good	8	110-114	270-280	79-83
Good	7.5	102-109	253-267	73-79
Good	7	94-101	240-253	65-73
Competent	6.5	79-93	213-233	58-65
Competent	6	60-78	170-210	50-58
Modest	5.5	46-59	133-210	43-50
Modest	5	35-45	107-133	36-43
Limited	4	32-34	97-103	30-36
Extremely Limited	< 4	< 31	< 93	< 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Job Opportunity Potential at Governors State University (GSU)

Chicago Proximity – Located near Chicago, a major hub for business, technology, healthcare, and logistics.

STEM & Business Careers – Strong demand for graduates in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, and Business (MBA, Accounting, Finance).

Healthcare Pathways – GSU is well-known for Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Administration, with excellent placement in hospitals and clinics.

Internships & Co-ops – Access to internships with Fortune 500 companies and Chicago-based firms in finance, consulting, tech, and manufacturing.

OPT & STEM OPT – Eligible programs provide up to 3 years of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation.

Teaching & Counseling – Education, Social Work, and Counseling programs prepare students for careers in schools, universities, and community organizations.

Government & Non-profit Careers – Public Administration and Leadership graduates often find roles in policy, community development, and NGOs.

Entrepreneurship Support – GSU’s Small Business Development Center helps students start and grow businesses.

Networking – Strong alumni network and career fairs connect students with employers in Illinois and nationwide.

On-Campus Jobs – Opportunities to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.

PSW Opportunity

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Official high school transcripts.

Minimum unweighted high school GPA ~ 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

ACT or SAT are optional; only taken if you want them considered.

If you studied in a non-English speaking country, you need credential evaluation by a NACES-member agency.

English / IELTS & Other Language Proficiency Requirements

If your previous education was in a country where English is not the foundational language, you must show English proficiency using one of these: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or equivalent test.
Minimum IELTS (Academic) score generally required is 6.0 for both undergrad and graduate admissions.
For TOEFL, minimum overall score for graduate applicants is 80 (internet-based).
For undergraduates, a lower TOEFL minimum is possible (e.g. 68 IBT) or similar, depending on program.
If you don’t meet the required English test scores, GSU offers an Intensive ESL Program as conditional admission / to improve your English before you start academic classes.

Governors State University

University Park , Illinois ,United States