Higher Education

Colleges and Universities in Delaware that Offer Degrees in Early Childhood Development

Delaware Technical and Community College
DT&CC has three campuses that offer Early Childhood studies. They are located in Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown. When enrolling in this program, you can choose to get a certificate, diploma, or one of two associate degrees.

  • Early Childhood Education / Child Development Associate Certificate is 18 college credits or 288 classroom hours. This program offers the necessary training for those seeking the nationally recognized CDA Credential.

  • Early Childhood Studies Diploma is 36 college credits or 576 classroom hours.

  • The Associate Degree, either in Early Childhood Development or 0–K Education, is 75 college credits or 1,200 classroom hours. Students completing the 0–K program are fully articulated at Wilmington College, Delaware State University, and the University of Delaware.

Completion of an Associate degree at DT&CC enables students to become Center Directors, Child Care Providers, Preschool Teachers or Public Classroom Aides.

For more information, contact: 

Georgetown, 302-856-5400
Dover, 302-857-1886
Wilmington, 302-571-5343

 

Delaware State University
The main campus of Delaware State University is located in Dover, but there are satellite sites in both Georgetown and Wilmington. The Department of Education within DSU offers the following majors:

  • Early Care and Education

  • Primary Education

  • Middle Level Education

  • Occupational-Vocational Education

  • Special Education

  • Science Education

Completion of one of the above programs will result in obtaining a Bachelor Degree. 

For more information, contact 302-857-6720 in Dover; 302-856-5397 in Georgetown.

In addition to the above, DSU has recently started a new program in Montessori Education. There are three possible degrees that can be awarded for Montessori studies:

  • Associate Montessori Teaching Certification Only 

Can qualify for admission with a high school diploma or Associate Degree 

  • Montessori Teaching Certification Only

Can apply for this with a Bachelor Degree or work towards a Bachelor Degree while studying the Montessori program.

  • Masters in Education Specializing in Early Childhood Education with Montessori Certification 

Must have completed a Bachelor degree in order to apply.

This program is currently being taught at the Wilmington Campus only. 

For more information, call 302-254-5336/37or 302-254-5327.

 

University of Delaware
This university offers a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education. Students can choose a certification from three different areas:

  • Early Care and Education (0–K) prepares students for employment in early education settings such as private or public schools, Head Start programs, nursery schools and day care centers.

  • Early Childhood Special Education prepares students for employment in private or public schools where children with special needs are in attendance. They may also work in early intervention programs and programs for high-risk children.

  • Child Life Specialty prepares students for employment as teachers in hospital settings.

Students must apply directly to the State of Delaware for certification, after successfully completing the course work and obtaining a Bachelor Degree. Students must also successfully complete the state required teacher competency tests in order to become employed in the public schools.

The campus of the University of Delaware is located in Newark, Delaware, but some of the basic college courses are also taught at satellite sites in Georgetown and Wilmington. Early Childhood courses are taught in Newark. The University has an agreement with DT&CC and other community colleges in New Jersey and Pennsylvania accepting the early childhood credits obtained through work on an Associate Degree.

For more information, call 302-831-2317.

 

Wesley College
This private college, located in Dover, has recently added an Elementary Education major to its curriculum. They do not offer a degree in Early Childhood studies, but do provide some classes in early education and development as part of the K–4 requirements.

For more information, call 302-736-2400.

 

Wilmington College
This private college, with locations in Wilmington, New Castle, Dover, and Georgetown, offers the following majors:

  • Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education gives students opportunity for employment as paraprofessionals in public schools, directors of preschools, Head Starts, and child care centers.

  • Bachelor of Science with three different concentrations:

Early Care and Education - prepares students for employment in public and private schools for children from birth to Kindergarten

Primary Education - prepares students for teaching children Kindergarten to grade 4

Middle Level Education - prepares students for teaching children grade 5 through grade 8

Wilmington College will accept Early Childhood Education majors from DT&CC who have completed their Associates Degree and want to continue on for a Bachelor Degree in Education.

For more information, call 877-967-5464 or 302-328-9407.