Early Childhood Education

Surprising but true: The WELS has more preschools than elementary schools. In fact, some say early childhood ministry is the fastest growing ministry in the synod. Lutheran preschools are certainly an excellent way to share the good news of Jesus, not just with little children, but with their families as well. When a mom or dad opens a preschool door and leads a child in, they often are more ready to open other doors—to Sunday school, to Lutheran elementary school, and to church.

If you want to serve in a WELS early childhood ministry, Martin Luther College, the WELS College of Ministry, is the school for you. Here we will equip you to be a professional early childhood educator and—much more important—a public minister of the gospel.

MLC Early Childhood Learning Center

MLC operates its own early childhood learning center. Here, and at other WELS early childhood centers, MLC student teachers work under experienced supervising professors to polish their skills in warm, gospel-rich environments.

“This is an exciting ministry. Often early childhood teachers are the first contacts young children and their families have with the gospel. What a privilege to share this saving message!”
Cheryl Loomis
Professor of Early Childhood Education

Our graduates demonstrate . . .

• firm grounding in God’s Word;
• competency in planning, teaching, and evaluating lessons;
• the ability to integrate God’s Word into every lesson;
• the ability to create effective learning environments;
• the skills necessary to fill the role of an E.C. program director; and
• a service attitude toward their students, schools, and congregations.

“My professors made sure I had what I needed to succeed in the teaching ministry, both personally and professionally. My experiences in various schools in the area, especially the ECE Center in New Ulm, gave me the experience to take a confident step into the world on Call Day 2006.”
Mandy Specht, MLC 2006
Director, Calvary Luth. Preschool & Kdg.
Bellevue, Washington

Program Requirements

*Some students may opt for a double-major, double-licensure program in early childhood and elementary education, a five-year program.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will . . .

• earn a Bachelor of Science in Education–Early Childhood;
• meet Minnesota standards for early childhood licensure; and
• be eligible for assignment to an ECE or elementary school in the WELS, to work with children ages 0-8.