Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Education

The University of Maine at Farmington's prominence in Education runs long and deep. In fact, the school was founded in 1864 as an institution dedicated to preparing teachers.

Because our Education programs were based on a foundation of Liberal Arts (an unusual concept in its time) Farmington quickly earned a reputation for producing some of the finest teachers in New England.

Over the years the University expanded its Liberal Arts foundation as it strengthened its Education programs. The result: Farmington has not only retained its outstanding reputation for preparing highly qualified teachers, it is still recognized far and wide as a leader in the field of Education.

Farmington's Early Childhood Education program is designed to prepare you to work with young children from birth to age eight and their families.

The program is based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children professional standards for teacher preparation and is NCATE accredited. Here, you will learn about child development - both in the classroom and through hands-on learning experiences. You'll put classroom theory into practice as you gain valuable real-world experience in early care and education settings.

Options within our Early Childhood Education program include:

  • Birth Through Age 5 Certification
  • Kindergarten Through Grade 3 Teacher Certification
  • Early Childhood Education: Non-certification
One of the many things that make our Early Childhood Education programs so well respected is that our students are required to practice in the field what they've learned in the classroom. Here, you will have opportunities to work directly with young children and their families at the Sweatt-Winter Child Care Center, the UMF Nursery School and Pre-Kindergarten, the UMF Infant-Toddler Programs, as well as community programs serving children and their families.

You'll also work closely with your Early Childhood Education professors, who serve as teaching role models and valued mentors. Your professors will also provide opportunities for you to collaborate with them in undergraduate research projects. They may even take you to professional education conferences where you'll be an active participant.

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program are eligible for jobs in a variety of settings in early care and education including: child care, Head Start, pre-kindergarten, community and recreational programs.


"It's an amazing program here - and it's fun. The professors here really care and take the time to teach you the methods they've learned and developed over the years. One method I learned last year was how to use the children to help develop your curriculum. I worked in a classroom this summer and I actually used that. It was really helpful."

-- Renee Meserve
From Westbook, Maine

What Classes Might You Take?
Because Farmington is a liberal arts college, every student - in every major - will take courses in the Arts, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. In addition, you will also get to choose interesting classes specifically tailored to your major in Early Childhood Education, such as:

• Creative Arts and Technology for the Young Child
• Intro and Observation in Early Childhood Ed
• Supporting Children in Inclusive Settings
• Development of Mathematical Concepts in Young Children
• Research in Early Childhood Education
• Science Education for Young Children
• Theories of Learning and Curriculum Development
• Children, Families and Communities
• Internship in Early Childhood Education
• Infant and Toddlers: Development and Care
• Planning Environments for Young Children
Contact Us For Details
For additional information about the Early Childhood Education major at Farmington, just contact the Office of Admission:

    Office of Admission
    University of Maine at Farmington
    246 Main Street
    Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
    tel 207-778-7050
    fax 207-778-8182
    TDD/TYY 207-778-7275
    umfadmit@maine.edu