Community Colleges Offer Valuable Path for Early Childhood Educators
Research shows that employers view community college bachelor's degrees in early childhood education as equivalent to traditional four-year degrees, making them a viable option for those in the field.
The early childhood education field is facing significant challenges, including persistent shortages, low wages, and high turnover. However, community colleges are offering a valuable solution by providing bachelor's degrees in early childhood education. According to the Community College Baccalaureate Association, approximately 16,000 students earn a bachelor's degree from a community college each year, making up less than 1% of all bachelor's degree recipients.
## Employers See Little Difference
A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that employers view job candidates who earn bachelor's degrees in early childhood education from community colleges similarly to those who hold traditional baccalaureate degrees. The researchers compared callbacks for fictitious job applications and found that employers generally view community college bachelor's degree applicants similarly to traditional four-year institution bachelor's degree holders. This finding suggests that community college baccalaureate degrees can be a more accessible and affordable way for students to earn four-year degrees without having to transfer to a four-year university.
## Leveling Up for Early Childhood Educators
For early childhood educators, the bachelor's degree is a way to level up and become master teachers or directors. Cheryl Calhoun, president and CEO of the Community College Baccalaureate Association, says that the bachelor's degree provides students with additional skills, such as supervisory and management skills, that are not gained through an associate degree. Aida Rodriguez, who earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from North Seattle College, says that the cohort model used by the school resonated with her and provided a valuable learning experience.
## Benefits of Community College Bachelor's Degrees
The benefits of community college bachelor's degrees in early childhood education are numerous. They provide a more accessible and affordable option for students, allowing them to earn a four-year degree without having to transfer to a four-year university. Additionally, community college bachelor's degrees can help address the persistent shortages and high turnover in the early childhood education field by providing a pipeline of qualified educators. The following table compares the number of community colleges offering baccalaureate degrees and the number of community college baccalaureate programs: | Category | 2024 | Current | | --- | --- | --- | | Community Colleges Offering Baccalaureate Degrees | 187 | 214 | | Community College Baccalaureate Programs | 678 | 763 |
Overall, community colleges are offering a valuable path for early childhood educators to level up and become master teachers or directors. With the support of organizations such as the Community College Baccalaureate Association, community colleges can continue to provide high-quality, career-focused baccalaureate degrees that address the workforce needs of the early childhood education field.
