Professional Development Designed for WELS Teachers
| If This is You: | Then This is Your Program |
|---|---|
| I have no college degree OR I have a college degree, but it’s not in early childhood education. | Early Childhood CDA Prep Series |
| I’m a licensed/qualified ECE teacher in my state, but I want to be certified to teach in WELS schools OR I’ve been called to be a WELS early childhood ministry teacher, but I’m not ministry certified. | Early Childhood Teacher Ministry Certification |
| I’m a state-licensed and ministry certified early childhood teacher who wants to maximize the outreach potential of my preschool. | Early Childhood Outreach Essentials |
Early Childhood Outreach Essentials
Lutheran early childhood teachers strive to connect their studies and families to Christ and the local congregation. These courses provide the tools to do just that.
- 5 short courses (all 1-credit)
- Provides outreach tools to connect students and families to Christ and the local congregation
- Offered online or face to face at your location
Who should enroll?
Licensed and ministry-certified early childhood teachers who want to maximize the outreach potential of their preschools
Early Childhood CDA Prep Series
The Early Childhood CDA Prep Series is designed to provide current early childhood teachers with a comprehensive understanding of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood. Early childhood teachers are encouraged to take all three courses in one semsester. These courses are aligned to the Child Development Associate (CDA) national credentialing program so that teachers completing all three courses will be prepared to apply for the CDA credential.
- 3 short courses (all 1-credit)
- Develops basic understanding of early childhood education: spiritual, intellectual, physical, and emotional
- Offered online
Who should enroll?
- Teachers with an elementary or secondary education degree
- Anyone who does not have an early childhood education degree
Early Childhood Ministry Certification
WELS Early Childhood Teaching Ministry Certification is intended for early childhood teachers only. It does not certify early childhood directors, elementary, or secondary teachers.
The synod’s preference is that men and women qualify themselves as early childhood teachers by graduating from Martin Luther College (MLC). However, because not all ECE teachers are graduates of MLC, these certification guidelines developed by the Conference of Presidents (COP) of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod seek to establish an adequate standard of teacher training that will ensure proficiency in carrying out the aims and objectives of WELS early childhood programs. In addition, these guidelines make it possible to carry out an orderly program of inservice training for early childhood teachers who are rendering a needful and valuable service in our schools but who have not yet fulfilled baccalaureate or certification requirements. Ministry certification is required for early childhood directors. Registered early childhood teachers are encouraged to seek ministry certification, but are not required to do so.
- 18 courses (1-, 2-, and 3-credit) plus a 5-week clinical
- Trains teachers to meet ministry needs and to proclaim the Word of God faithfully
- Offered online or face to face at your location
Who should enroll?
- Called early childhood teachers who are not ministry certified
- Licensed early childhood teachers who want to prepare to teach in a WELS school
Early Childhood Director Ministry Certification
The synod’s preference is that men and women qualify themselves as early childhood teachers by graduating from Martin Luther College (MLC). However, because not all ECE teachers are graduates of MLC, these certification guidelines developed by the Conference of Presidents (COP) of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod seek to establish an adequate standard of teacher training that will ensure proficiency in carrying out the aims and objectives of WELS early childhood programs. In addition, these guidelines make it possible to carry out an orderly program of inservice training for early childhood teachers who are rendering a needful and valuable service in our schools but who have not yet fulfilled baccalaureate or certification requirements. Ministry certification is required for early childhood directors. Registered early childhood teachers are encouraged to seek ministry certification, but are not required to do so.
- 18 credits (1-, 2-, and 3-credit) plus a 5-week student teaching experience
- Trains directors to meet ministry needs and to proclaim the Word of God faithfully
- Offered online, on the MLC campus, or face to face at your location
Who should enroll?
- Called early childhood teachers who are not ministry certified
- Licensed early childhood teachers who want to prepare to become directors in a WELS school
Early Childhood Director Master’s Degree in Educational Administration
The Master of Science in Educational Administration is an online degree program that provides training to meet the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod early childhood director standards. Upon successful completion of the graduate program, students are awarded the Master of Science degree in Educational Administration (MS Ed Admin).
- 36 credits that includes a capstone
- Courses relating research to the principles and practices of school leadership and administration
- All courses offered online
Who should enroll?
- Early childhood directors who have an undergraduate degree in education from an accredited college or university
COMING SOON! Associate Degree in Early Childhood
Coming Soon!
