GBC Offers New Online BA in Early Childhood Education

Great Basin College and the Department of Arts and Sciences is excited to announce that the Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education will launch in the Fall of 2021.

The program was designed for GBC’s service area and beyond. The online degree allows students to continue working while still obtaining their degree.

Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs Jake Rivera stated, "Great Basin College will continue to be a leader in providing quality and affordable online programs. The new BA in ECE is the only fully online, non-licensure program of its kind in the state of Nevada. Currently, less than 4% of Nevada’s ECE workforce has a bachelor’s degree in ECE. GBC’s goal is that this degree will provide the needed access for rural Nevada and for those with busy schedules that are looking for professional growth opportunities."

GBC’s early childhood program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively and professionally with young children, their families, and their communities. The degree qualifies students for such employment opportunities as paraprofessionals, teachers, and/or directors in child care centers, preschools, and home-based programs.

Mary C. Doucette, Dean of Arts and Sciences stated, "Great Basin College is proud to offer an online, non-licensure bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education starting this fall. This degree will offer a career pathway for current ECE students, those who have completed associate degrees, early childhood teachers, teaching assistants, directors, and/or early childhood support specialists who are employed at Head Start or in rural private programs.”

Lynette Macfarlan, ECE Professor stated, “The degree program will focus on working with children from birth through age five with an emphasis on play theory, nature-based experiences, special education including behavioral interventions, and English language acquisition development.”

For more information about the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, please contact ECE Program Supervisor, Lynette Macfarlan at lynette.macfarlan@gbcnv.edu or by phone at 775-340-3426 or 775.327.2133.

Great Basin College offers associate and bachelor level instruction in academic, career, and technical education areas. GBC serves students enrolled online from across the country and on campuses and centers across 86,500 square miles, two time zones, and ten of Nevada’s largest counties.

Great Basin College, “The Gold Standard in the Silver State.”

For More Information Contact

Great Basin College
1500 College Parkway
Elko, Nevada 89801
Phone: 775.327.2149

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Why Great Basin College

Great Basin College, "The Gold Standard in the Silver State", offers associate and baccalaureate level education in academic, career and technical fields. Welcoming over 4,000 students annually from all corners of the country, both online and at our various campuses and centers, GBC's presence extends across two time zones and spans more than 86,000 square miles throughout Nevada. A leader in rural higher education, GBC takes pride in developing students who are well-prepared to meet the demands of industry and who contribute to the success and prosperity of the local economy.