At the University of Maine at Farmington, the Early Childhood Education major gives you hands-on experience working with children. You’ll gain the skills and confidence to become a highly qualified teacher, backed by a program with a national reputation for excellence.
Here at UMF, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with young children—from infants to third graders—at our nationally accredited Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Education Center, located right on campus.
Our Early Childhood Education program prepares you for diverse career paths, including roles in childcare, Head Start, pre-K, community programs, and K-3 classrooms in both public and private schools. With the demand for early childhood teachers steadily growing, UMF graduates are equipped with the real-world experience and knowledge employers are actively seeking. Our premiere program offers extensive opportunities to work directly with children and build a strong foundation for your teaching career.
Which path is yours?
- Birth to Kindergarten & Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 Certification
- Birth to Kindergarten Certification
- Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3 Certification
See some recent Early Childhood Education graduates, now teachers or education supervisors, who describe why they chose Farmington.
Careers
In a 2020 survey of UMF Education graduates, 83% reported working in education, with 85% hired within a year and 73% within just four months. Nearly all (94.3%) said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their teacher preparation at UMF.
Once you complete your Early Childhood Ed program here, you’ll be ready to earn your teaching licensure in Maine. To explore licensure in other states or territories, check out the UMaine System State Authorization & Licensure page, where you’ll find all the details and contacts you need to get started.
- Educare
- Head Start
- Community and recreational programs
- Pre-Kindergarten
- Grades K-3 in public and private schools
Farmington Education grads get hired.
When I was a UMF student, I did my Early Childhood Education internship right here at Spring Point Child Care Center in South Portland. Having those real-world, in-classroom hours and being able to say I have firsthand experience working in a classroom and being mentored by experienced teachers was so valuable.
— Allyson Conley
Director
Spring Point Children’s Center at SMCC
Portland, Maine
Save more than $5,500 per year in tuition. This University of Maine at Farmington program qualifies for the NEBHE Tuition Break.
Through the NEBHE Tuition Break program, students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont receive a $5,670 tuition discount on all UMF degree programs.
Student Teaching
Our Education students describe their senior year Student Teaching assignment as the most meaningful experience of their UMF career. It’s when they’re teamed with a mentor school teacher (often a UMF alumnus) and they get to put into practice in a school classroom what they’ve learned in their UMF college classes.
What Can You Do With A Degree in Early Childhood Education?
Graduates of our Early Childhood Education program are eligible for jobs in a variety of settings, including childcare, Head Start, pre-Kindergarten, community and recreational programs, and grades K-3 in public and private schools.
Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources. Median Salaries for positions in Maine typically fall below those of other New England states.
Contact Us
Office of Admissions
University of Maine at Farmington
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938-1994
tel 207-778-7050
fax 207-778-8182
TYY (via Maine Relay Service) dial 711
umfadmit@maine.edu
