Early Childhood Education

B.S. Degree with a major in Ealy Childhood Education

Be the Spark in Young Lives

UMF’s Early Childhood Education program provides hands-on experience working with children, helping you build the skills and confidence to become a highly qualified teacher. Known nationally for excellence, the program prepares graduates to make a meaningful impact in early education.

At UMF, Early Childhood Education students gain hands-on experience working with children—from infants to third graders—at the nationally accredited Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Education Center on campus. This immersive experience allows students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, developing practical teaching skills and confidence.

The program prepares graduates for a wide range of careers, including childcare, Head Start, pre-K, community programs, and K-3 classrooms in both public and private schools. With a growing demand for early childhood teachers, UMF students graduate with the experience, knowledge, and professional preparation that employers actively seek, building a strong foundation for a successful teaching car

Questions? Ask a professor

Save more than $5,500 per year in tuition.

Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont receive a $5,670 tuition discount on all UMF degree programs.
Learn More

Teach, Inspire, Thrive

UMF Early Childhood Education graduates have gone on to a wide variety of rewarding careers working with young children. Many have found positions in K-3 classrooms in both public and private schools, while others have joined pre-K programs, Head Start initiatives, and community-based childcare centers. Some graduates have also pursued specialized roles in early intervention programs, educational support services, and curriculum development.

The program’s hands-on approach gives students real-world experience, making them highly sought after by employers. Alumni have landed roles as lead teachers, program coordinators, teaching specialists, and childcare directors, often taking on leadership positions within schools and early education organizations. These career paths highlight the program’s ability to prepare graduates to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives while building fulfilling professional careers.

Which path is yours?

  • Birth through Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 Certification
  • Birth through Kindergarten Certification
  • Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 Certification

When I was a UMF student, I did my Early Childhood Education internship right here at Spring Point Child Care Center in South Portland. Having those real-world, in-classroom hours and being able to say I have firsthand experience working in a classroom and being mentored by experienced teachers was so valuable.
Allyson Conley
Director
Spring Point Children’s Center at SMCC
Portland, Maine

Hands-On Teaching Experience

At UMF, student teaching is the capstone experience for Early Childhood Education majors, giving you the opportunity to step into a real classroom and apply everything you’ve learned. Under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers, you’ll lead lessons, manage classroom activities, and engage directly with children from infants to third graders. This hands-on experience helps you build confidence, refine your teaching style, and develop the professional skills needed to succeed as a licensed educator.

Student teaching also allows you to connect theory with practice, collaborate with faculty and peers, and receive feedback that prepares you for a seamless transition into your first teaching job. By the time you graduate, you’ll have not only completed a rigorous academic program but also gained meaningful classroom experience that makes you a highly qualified candidate in the growing field of early childhood education.

Learn More

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
Apply Now! Email Admissions Call Us