BA in Early Childhood Education

The Bachelor of Arts Degree Program in Early Childhood Education focuses on comprehensive care and education of children from birth to 8 years and professional interaction with their families. This education forms the academic framework, which guides developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood settings. Emphasis is placed on responding to the developmental and cultural uniqueness of each child as students in the program learn to design, implement, and evaluate curricular activities and learning environments. Each student completes student teaching experience in Pre-primary and primary settings.

This program is designed primarily to prepare students for careers in teaching in public and private schools. It enables them to fulfill teacher certification and other professional requirements in the field of early childhood education. It also provides the opportunity for students to advance on the career lattice of professional early childhood education.

Students must complete practicum and field experiences which are a part of many of the courses in the curriculum. The University's Child Development Center and the District of Columbia Public Schools serve as the practicum and field experience sites for students in the program.

The minimum number of credits required for graduation in Early Childhood Education is 126 credit hours of college-level courses. However, upon completion of additional courses, students may qualify for an endorsement in Early Childhood/Special Education.

The curriculum is designed to be completed in four years with full time enrollment in 15-18 credits each semester. Students may, however, elect to attend on a part-time basis.

Accreditation: The program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Transfer of Credit: Students may transfer credits earned from other institutions at the time in which they apply for admission into the University. In addition, students may transfer credits earned from the associate degree program in Child Development to this program. Only grades of “C” or better are transferred.

Program of Study: The program consists of a minimum of 124 semester hours, including University- and College-wide requirements, Department of Education core courses, Early Childhood Education concentration courses, and electives.

Program Admission Requirements: Students must meet specific criteria to be accepted into the early childhood teacher education program.

Student Organizations: Students may join the Early Childhood Education Club, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, and/or the Student National Education Association (SNEA).

Alumni: Graduates of the program are currently working in public and private schools and early childhood centers as teachers and/or administrators of early childhood education programs.

Total Credit Hours of College-Level Courses Required for Graduation - 126

Core Courses (15 Credit Hours)

Additional Required Courses (48 Credit Hours)

Suggested Electives (6 Credit Hours)

Comments and Other Required Course:
Students enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in Early Childhood Education should consult with their academic advisor to determine the specific University and College-wide required courses for their major. If transferring from the Associate in Arts degree program in Child Development, the courses, Child in the Family (ECED 245) and First Aid and Emergency Medical Services (HLTH 204), may be used as electives. Students must also take and pass Voice and Articulation or Public Speaking; one year of Spanish, and History of the District of Columbia.

Note: Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all required education courses, except student teaching, which requires a grade of "B" or better.