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Headstart teacher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a headstart teacher. Headstart teachers usually study early childhood education, human development, or elementary education. 46% of headstart teachers hold a bachelor's degree, and 34% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 349 real headstart teacher resumes to see exactly what headstart teacher education sections show.
The most common colleges for headstart teachers are the Ashford University and the Ashford University.
There are also many online headstart teacher courses to help get the education required to be a headstart teacher.
There are certain headstart teacher certifications that you should consider. These headstart teacher certifications include Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) and Child Development Associate (CDA).
What education do you need to become a headstart teacher?
What degree do you need to be a headstart teacher?
- Bachelor's, 46%
- Associate, 34%
- Master's, 10%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a headstart teacher?
- Human Development, 16%
- Elementary Education, 13%
- Business, 8%
- Other Majors, 34%
Most common colleges for headstart teachers
| Headstart teacher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ashford University | 14.55% |
| Eastern Kentucky University | 9.09% |
| National Louis University | 5.45% |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | 5.45% |
| Southern University and A & M College | 5.45% |
Best majors for headstart teachers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Early Childhood Education | 29.2% |
| 2 | Human Development | 16.0% |
| 3 | Elementary Education | 12.7% |
| 4 | Business | 8.0% |
| 5 | Education | 5.7% |
Best colleges for headstart teachers
The best colleges for headstart teachers are Vanderbilt University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
A headstart teacher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for headstart teachers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become headstart teachers.
1. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
2. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Enrollment
13,871
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Enrollment
34,637
9. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-state tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
10. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
20 best online courses for headstart teachers
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1. Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher
Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases, there is no allowance made for the education of Deaf children at all. This 4-week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language-rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically,...
2. Music Education for Teachers
In the Music Education for Teachers specialization, you will explore ways of integrating popular music into your teaching. You'll begin by learning from two highly experienced teachers, Krystal Banfield, the Vice President of Educational Outreach for Berklee College of Music, and David Alexis a Berklee Professor and long-time instructor for the Berklee City Music Program. They will take you through their process of incorporating popular music, improvisation, arranging, and music technology into...
3. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
Putting Theory Into Practice in the ESL/EFL Classroom...
4. Preparation for CELTA Teacher Training
Learn the skills required to succeed in your CELTA training - gain practice in lesson planning and writing assignments!!...
5. Get Organized: How to be a Together Teacher
This course is designed for classroom teachers who juggle time-sensitive tasks and often-exhausting teaching schedules. With an eye toward long-term sustainability, The Together Teacher examines the purpose for planning ahead, provides tools for tracking time commitments, deadlines and tasks, and helps teachers develop a personal organization system that interacts with their day-by-day practices. All teachers, from the pen & paper list maker to the tech-savvy digital maven, will benefit from...
6. The Teacher and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social and emotional learning, or SEL, programs have flourished in schools during the last decade. These programs vary widely but most share a concern for five individual, student competencies: self awareness; self-management; social awareness; relationship skills; and finally responsible decision making. It is important for teachers and parents to know about and understand these programs. While lots of SEL programs emphasize K-12 student social and emotional learning, only a very few programs...
7. Mindfulness for Life Coaching Success: Teacher Certificate
Transform Lives with Mindfulness & Meditation: Accredited Life Coach Teacher Certificate (2023)...
8. Mindfulness Teacher Training Certificate
Become a certified mindfulness teacher with this accredited mindfulness teacher training programme...
9. Virtual Teacher Final Project
The Final Project will be a hands-on, comprehensive project that practitioners of virtual education can implement in their profession. For this final project, learners will draft a design plan for an online learning module utilizing materials learned from the virtual teacher series. Learners will choose the subject matter, method of delivery, tools, instructional strategies, and assessments, with the goal of creating a module of online or blended instruction that meets the needs of their...
10. ELL Success in the Content Classroom: Teacher Toolbox Series
Plan lessons, activities and assessment with the ELL in mind, and create an engaging and welcoming environment for the ELL and their families.\n\nThis Specialization covers lesson planning and assessing with the ELL in mind as well as engaging the ELL student and their families in the school and community. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills you learned by creating an annotated lesson plan and assessment with appropriate modifications for the ELL students. You will also...
11. Parenting Skills to Raise Responsible, Mature Children
Positive Parenting Parenting Skills Loving Home Parenting Techniques Positive Discipline Family Communication...
12. Pilates Teacher Training & CPD Certification
Become a Classical Mat Pilates instructor with this accredited training course...
13. Mind Maps/ Mind Mapping for Teachers, Trainers, & Presenters
Using Mind Mapping to Plan>Rehearse >Teach brain-friendly lessons, broadcasts or webinars (Mind Maps,Memory,Mindmapping)...
14. Professional Accredited Yoga Teacher Training Diploma Course
Full Certification Diploma Course to Learn the In depth techniques of Yoga to teach to Students & Groups!...
15. Meditation Practitioner / Teacher Certification (ACCREDITED)
A fully Accredited Meditation Practitioner / Teacher Certification course taking you from beginner to professional level...
16. Outcome Based Education (OBE) & Academic Quality Assurance
Master Course for Teachers' Development: Grow Your Teaching-Learning Expertise to World-Class Level...
17. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...
18. Mindful Parenting Diploma Happy Positive Children
Earn Your Certification in Mindful Parenting and Positive Psychology and Improve Your Family's Well-being...
19. Kids Yoga Teacher Training Certificate Course for ages 2-5
All resources included! *Yoga pose guide *Kids guided meditations *Coloring in sheets *Course workbook and more!...
20. Excel at Teaching English: Be a Better ESL Teacher
Increase Understanding, Increase Productivity, Increase Teacher and Learner Satisfaction...
Top 10 most affordable universities for headstart teachers
The most affordable schools for headstart teachers are California State University - Bakersfield, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for headstart teachers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for headstart teachers.
1. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
9. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
10. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for headstart teachers
The hardest universities for headstart teachers to get into are Vanderbilt University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for headstart teachers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for headstart teachers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
8. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for headstart teachers
The easiest schools for headstart teachers to get into are D'Youville College, holy names university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a headstart teacher without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for headstart teachers.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
8. College of Mount Saint Vincent
Bronx, NY • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,021
9. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
10. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
Average headstart teacher salary by education level
| Headstart teacher education level | Headstart teacher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $45,446 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $28,295 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $37,395 |
| Doctorate Degree | $44,060 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $29,444 |
Headstart teacher education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025