What is Early Childhood Education ? The comprehensive early childhood education program prepares graduates to become effective teachers of children in a variety of pre-kindergarten through grade three settings, including preschools, Head Start programs, child-care centers, public schools and related programs for children. Program faculty are dedicated to preparing committed, caring and competent educators who support each individual child’s learning and development through an ongoing process of evaluation and specific instruction techniques. Candidates in the bachelor of science degree program gain extensive field experience in preschool, kindergarten, and primary grade classrooms. In that our college has an urban mission and prepares candidates to work in high needs schools, all candidates experience at least one urban field placement. Students take general education courses during the first two years of the program, followed by courses in early childhood theory and philosophy, practices and methods courses in the professional cohort years three and four.

Career Possibilities Graduates of the early childhood education program are prepared to teach in a variety of settings. In public or private schools, they may teach kindergarten or the first, second and third grades, including young children with mild to moderate disabilities. They may also teach in preschools, Head Start programs, child-care centers or related programs.