Students pursuing a career in early childhood education should know that the EWU MEd and Professional Certificate in Early Childhood Education do not lead to an initial P‐3 teaching certificate.
To work at public‐funded preschools/daycares in Washington State, teachers are required to possess a teaching certificate for P‐3. Students who have completed the EWU online M.Ed. ECE program but lack the initial teaching certificate must fulfill the requirement by completing a comprehensive teacher preparation program before becoming eligible for recommendation. EWU highly recommends that these students consider joining our BAE ECE teacher preparation program as post‐bac students. This program offers a place‐based option, allowing students to receive training and education without the need to visit the campus. It effectively supports full‐time working professionals in their pursuit of credentials ‐ moreover, many courses in the BAE program are equivalent to those completed in EWU ECE M.Ed. program, resulting in a reduced coursework load compared to a typical BAE program.
Students who do not hold an initial P‐3 teaching certificate may be eligible for employment in privately‐funded preschools/daycares in Washington State – however we always encourage students to check with the pre‐school/daycare first.
