AAS Graduates

Join Salisbury University's Early Childhood Education (ECED) Program!

Maryland is transforming early childhood education with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Prepare for the future by advancing your career through Salisbury University’s innovative program designed specifically for child care educators and private or public paraprofessionals/instructional aides.

Benefits for Your Career and Program:

Certified early childhood education teachers will earn at least $60,000 annually as starting salaries.
Equip yourself to meet high-quality standards required for public funding.
Help your program qualify for publicly-funded pre-K slots while receiving competitive salaries aligned with public school teachers.
Be part of Maryland’s goal to increase high-quality private pre-K providers and staff.

Why Join?

Are you an Instructional Assistant?
- Earn Your Certification Without Leaving Your Job:
  - Join our Apprenticeship Model that lets you work while pursuing your degree.
  - Enjoy flexible learning options: face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses tailored to your schedule.
- Achieve Certification in as Little as 6 Semesters:
  - Part-time program includes winter and summer semesters.
- Fund Your Education with Maryland Teaching Fellows Scholarship:
  - You may qualify for financial support through the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Are you a Child Care Educator?
- Be Ready for New Pre-K Standards:
  - By 2027-28, all pre-K teachers in private programs must be certified to participate in publicly funded full-day pre-K programs.
  - Private providers must increase their share of pre-K slots from 10% in FY25 to 50% by FY29.
- Fund Your Education with Child Care Career Professional Development Fund (CCCPDF) Scholarships:
  - You may qualify for financial support through the Maryland Division of Early Childhood.
- Earn Your Certification Without Leaving Your Job:
  - Join our Apprenticeship Model that lets you work while pursuing your degree.
  - Enjoy flexible learning options: face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses tailored to your schedule.
- Achieve Certification in as Little as 6 Semesters:
  - Part-time program includes winter and summer semesters.

What are the requirements?

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) in Early Childhood Education.
Currently working/teaching in public/private elementary schools or center-based/home-based child care programs.
Please contact us if you have a different degree to see if you qualify.
Applications due March 15, 2025.

Don’t Wait—Shape the Future of Early Childhood Education Today!

Join Salisbury University's ECE Program and take the first step toward meeting Maryland's Blueprint goals.