Child and Youth Development for Adults

Milligan’s Child and Youth Development degree for working adults provides an affordable difference to finish your degree.

• 18-23 months to complete the degree
• Flexible scheduling with a mix of night and online courses
• Tuition is affordable
• Parking, bookstore, library, computer resources available in the evening
• Be part of a cohort group going through the program together
• Get a free Personalized Degree Plan
• Quality curriculum, nationally respected university, caring faculty
• NCATE (now CAEP) accreditation means your degree is instantly recognized nationwide for quality

What Makes Our Program Unique

Beginning with their first education class, our students are heavily involved in field experience in the schools. Our students gain practical, hands-on experience both in the classroom and in their field experiences. Our students are recognized as caring servant-leaders who desire to make a difference. Committed and caring faculty work with you through each step of the program. And we have fun while learning!

Finish your degree and/or add K-5 licensure!

If you want to teach K-5/English as a Second Language in public or private schools OR serve in a leadership position in a child development center or church-related preschool, consider Milligan. In 18-23 months you can complete the Child and Youth Development degree, and even opt to certify to teach K-5/ESL with an additional semester of full-time student teaching. Flexible scheduling with a mix of night and online courses. Tuition is affordable and within your reach.

Personalized Degree Plan

We offer an upfront free Personalized Degree Plan that reviews your transcripts and past credit to determine exactly what your degree plan will be and how long it will take you. This ultimately saves you time and money by making sure you stay on track to complete your degree without any surprises and as quickly as you can. Email ECE@milligan.edu to get your process started.

Affordable

Tuition for the program is one of the most economical programs in our region and is even priced below the local state university rate. Financial aid is available for degree completion students. Students in this program are eligible to apply for state and federal tuition assistance programs and for employer reimbursement when applicable. 
Cost & Aid »

Also, the state of Tennessee offers several scholarship and grant programs for undergraduate and graduate students (Tennessee residents).

Curriculum

The Child and Youth Development degree can be completed in 18 months. The curriculum includes courses in literacy, technology, assessment and intervention, psychology, teaching, administration, curriculum, media effects, and more. Certification to teach requires admission to the post-baccalaureate program and an additional semester of student teaching for a total of 23 months. Students must also complete the university’s general education requirements, but often these have been completed in a student’s prior coursework. We are happy to review your transcript and provide a degree plan.

Personal Attention

You’ll progress through the program in small classes, giving you an opportunity to develop relationships, learn from diverse experiences and approaches, and benefit from a built-in support network. This also allows professors to interact closely with students for individual attention and supervision throughout the program. Teaching you is more than a job to our faculty – it’s a mission. They are dedicated teachers, experienced professionals, and trusted mentors who invest time, energy, and ideas to inspire you and help you reach your highest potential. It’s not just a degree. It’s your future.

Outstanding Reputation

• One of only 9 programs with an “Exceeds Expectations” rating on the State Board of Education Report Card
• Second and third-year employment retention rates exceed the state average
• Our employed teacher graduates “exceed expectations” on measures related to teacher observations and student-growth scores, scoring well above the state average

For many decades, Milligan has enjoyed a strong partnership with area school systems. The University’s reputation for producing well-prepared, creative, commited teachers is unparalleled. School administrators consistently look to Milligan as a resource for both hiring and training, regularly calling on faculty to lead workshops for in-services and to collaborate on various education issues. Thousands of our graduates are serving as teachers, coaches, counselors, and administrators in schools across the United States.

NCATE (now CAEP) accreditation means your degree from Milligan is instantly recognized in Tennessee and the nation for its quality. Milligan’s commitment to meet NCATE quality standards means we take great care in seeing you gain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for success as a professional educator. Read more about our accreditation below.

Christian Worldview

Today’s schools are challenged as never before. Now more than ever, children need teachers and leaders who are committed to excellence in the classroom and Christian principles. Educators prepared in such a way can make a real difference in the school and community where they live and serve. Our primary goal at Milligan is to prepare caring and reflective educators who will affect the lives of children in a markedly positive manner.

Classroom Experience

If you decide to pursue K-5/ESL licensure, you’ll get extensive field experience in teaching, assessment, and classroom management through a capstone course and semester-long student teaching experience in our community partner schools. You’ll work directly with master teachers as mentors.

Convenience

Flexible scheduling with night and online classes allows you to work toward your degree even if you’re working full-time. Campus resources, such as the bookstore, library, and computer labs, are available in the evening and parking is easy to find. We know that working full-time, caring for a family, and going to school can be hectic. Our competent and friendly staff are ready to help you with the administrative details of the program so you can focus on learning. Additional online courses offer even easier access to this opportunity. Also, you may begin the program during any term. Spring 2022 Schedule »

Accreditation

Fully approved by the Tennessee Department of Education, Milligan’s teacher education program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036; 202-466-7496). This accreditation covers initial teacher and advanced educator preparation programs. This accreditation means your degree from Milligan is instantly recognized in Tennessee and the nation for its quality. We take great care in seeing you gain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for success as a professional educator.

In 2013, NCATE and TEAC consolidated into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as the new accrediting body for educator preparation.

Getting Started

You need to have approximately 52 semester hours (about two years) of college work which can be transferred to Milligan. We offer a free Personalized Degree Plan to determine exactly what your degree plan will be and how long it will take you. If you’re currently working toward the 52 hours, let us help you prepare to transfer to Milligan. We can help determine what courses you need and where you can obtain them. Email ECE@milligan.edu to get your process started or call 423.461.8306.

We’ll work with you from your first question to graduation, and we’ll help you develop a degree plan upfront that makes the most of your time and money.