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Mount Vernon, Wash. – Skagit Valley College (SVC) has announced the addition of a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE), its sixth bachelor's degree program, starting in fall 2025. The program will include Washington state teaching certification and an early childhood education endorsement, qualifying graduates to teach preschool through third grade.
The program addresses a growing need for skilled educators in low-income and rural districts, including Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow by 4%, while preschool and childcare director roles are expected to increase by 8% between 2021 and 2031 (2022). Graduates holding a bachelor’s degree also experience a 56% increase in earning potential compared to those with an associate degree (A Skilled and Educated Workforce, 2020).
The BAS-ECE program is a three-year, 98-credit program featuring:
- Residency teaching certification: Graduates will earn Washington state certification with an early childhood education endorsement.
- Hybrid learning: Classes will meet in person every other Saturday, complemented by concurrent online coursework.
- Practical experience: Students will engage in practicums and student teaching in diverse preschool through third-grade classrooms.
- Focus on multilingual learners: Coursework will emphasize culturally responsive teaching practices and address the unique needs of diverse students.
“Our community has been asking for this degree for a long time,” said Alexis Meyers, SVC department chair of early childhood education. “Our graduates want to be teachers, both because of their desire to serve their community and their need to earn a living wage.”
Currently, SVC’s ECE program offers multiple pathways, including skill-based certificates, an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education (ECE-AA), an Education Paraprofessional (AEd.), and an Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education (ECE-AAS). Students earning associate degrees can now seamlessly transition to the BAS-ECE program at SVC.
SVC’s BAS-ECE degree is designed to prepare educators to meet the growing demand for compassionate and culturally responsive teachers in early childhood education while supporting students and the broader community.
“By offering this program in this community, we are creating a new pathway into the teaching profession that is truly accessible for the Skagit, Island, and San Juan communities,” said Meyers.
For additional information about SVC’s BAS-ECE program, contact Ariel Glavick, program coordinator, at ariel.glavick@skagit.edu
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Sofia Poulton Communications and Social Media Manager
- February 03, 2025
- 360.416.7699
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