Early childhood education foundations
bachelor of science (B.S. degree)
What happens in the early childhood years has an impact on development for the rest of our lives. In the early childhood education foundations program, you will learn how to work with children during the important years between birth and age eight. Learn about education theory and child development for typically developing children and prepare to work with children who have special needs. When you graduate, your skills will be priceless in childcare and many other careers that have an impact on children and families. Or you can continue on to the master of education/initial licensure program, where you earn a teaching licensure in early childhood education (through third grade) or an early childhood special education license.
Program highlights
- Courses in the Institute of Child Development, ranked number three in developmental psychology by U.S. News and World Report
- Student teaching opportunities at the Shirley G. Moore Laboratory School for preschoolers
- Learning abroad programs in child development and child psychology, located in Australia, Denmark, or Ireland
- Access to leading multidisciplinary centers, including the Center for Early Education and Development
- Faculty members who are leading researchers in child development
Careers with meaning
Potential employers include:
- Schools
- Youth camps and programs
- Mental health clinics
- Childcare centers
- Social service agencies
- Government agencies
See What can I do with an early childhood education degree?
This program also prepares students for advanced degrees in teaching, child psychology, social work, school psychology, speech/language pathology, and more.
Coursework
Foundation courses, such as psychology, linguistics, child development, and public health
Content area courses, including mathematics, science, literature, and social studies
Specialty areas - pre-licensure prepares you to enter the M.Ed./initial licensure program; non-licensure allows you to take elective courses
Full curriculum for early childhood education foundations major, Undergraduate Catalog
View all courses in curriculum and instruction, Undergraduate Catalog
Student profile
Nicole: “I’ve been able to completely develop how I want to teach and conduct my classroom. It’s really given me a lot of insight on what I want to do.”
Your next steps
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February 2008