Silver City, NM – The Early Childhood Education Program at Western New Mexico University, already accredited in offering associate and bachelor degrees by the Higher Learning Commission, has earned an additional recognition from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
“This associate degree program offered by WNMU is the first in the state to earn this special recognition,” said Shannon Rivera, Early Childhood Programs Executive Director. “This accreditation is an added step to say that we are going above and beyond what we are required in delivering quality classroom education.”
Nationally recognized for its quality on-site classroom learning laboratory, the Early Childhood Programs offers degrees at the certificate, associate and bachelor levels.
“We are offering our students a program that will better prepare them for the workforce,” said Rivera.
The standards of accreditation requirements ensure that WNMU offers high quality faculty that are current in their research, knowledge, and background in early childhood.
“The peer review team visited in April and found many areas of strength including our responsiveness to our student population and community through the use of technology and development course work, as well as our involvement in state initiatives,” said Rivera.
Earning the NAEYC accreditation requires that program representatives meet with stakeholders in the community to address the needs of the region for which the program serves.
To learn more about the Early Childhood Education Program, visit ecp.wnmu.edu.