High quality core coursework meets the rigorous standards of NCATE, a voluntary accreditation for teacher education programs.  In a recent U.S. News and World Report The University of Montana Western was rated in the top tier for bachelor's degree institutions. 

Related labs promote application of concepts taught in each core early childhood course.

A community of learners is developed through use of a cohort model where the instructor and students complete 24 credits of early childhood coursework together.

Small class sizes enhance opportunities for faculty to student and student to student interaction.

Designed for practitioners in the field, most classes are offered in the evenings at on-site locations throughout Montana or online.  EC Rural classes combine coursework online with one week-end intensive.

Seamless articulation is achieved as credits taken to meet the Early Childhood Certificate requirements form the core for the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degree which articulates seamlessly into the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education degree.