BA in Early Childhood Education

With your Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education you will gain knowledge, perspective and practical experiences in the field of early childhood education. This degree prepares you for your current workplace and future aspirations.

Early Childhood Education Degree Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education prepares you to provide high-quality, inclusive care and education to children up to the age of 8. This online early childhood education degree program includes fieldwork and two practicums that let you demonstrate your teaching competencies under guided supervision.

As a student, you will:

  • Learn skills to complement your previous early childhood educational training and fieldwork.
  • Demonstrate your mastery and reflect on the knowledge, skills and dispositions you have learned.
  • Study lower division coursework which provides a foundation for upper division content and experiences, encapsulating current thinking and research.

Next Session

Spring I (Jan 6, 2025)

Estimated Tuition

Ways to Learn

Online

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University of Massachusetts Global's School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing.

Imagine Your Future In Early Childhood Education

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    Ruby G

    One word that comes to mind in thinking about my educational journey at UMass Global is 'self reflective'. No matter what course I took, self-reflection was always included as an aspect of each course. I was provided opportunities to consistently reflect on myself, my values, my beliefs, my education, my practices and the field of early childhood education as a whole.

    Ruby G.
    MAE, Leadership in Early Childhood Education, PBIS Support Specialist, Stanislaus County Office of Education
    My academic advisor was a great support system. He was my advisor throughout my program and he took the time to learn about me personally so we could make the best schedule to accommodate my life.
    Steve L.
    MA in Education, Teaching and Learning
    Meg V
    The MAELA program was beyond invaluable. So much of what I was asked to do was relatable to my job. The people affiliated with the program know what works in education.
    Meg V.
    MA, Educational Leadership and Administration

    Admission Requirements

    Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

    0 - 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • High school diploma or GED equivalent
    • Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation

    12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
    • Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended
    active military?

    Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts.

    Transcripts

    Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

    HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENTS? Request more information>

    BA in ECE Program Curriculum

    • Bachelor degrees require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units which include a combination of General Education requirements and program specific requirements. In the absence of sufficient transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the 120 total units for the degree which a UMass Global Academic Advisor will help you evaluate.

       

      Code Course Name Credits
      Basic Skills 12
      ENGU103 Writing Communication I: Writing and Rhetoric 3
      ENGU 104 Written Communication II: Writing About Literature 3
      MATU 103 Applied Mathematics 3
      COMU 101 Public Speaking 1 3

      Quantitative reasoning 3

      Oral communication 3
      Breadth Requirements 24
      Humanities Select from 3 different areas: Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies 9
      Natural Sciences Select 6 credits 6
      Social Sciences Select from 3 different areas: Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, History, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Political Science/Legal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology 9
      Liberal Education Foundations 6
      LBSU 302 Information Fluency and Academic Integrity 3
      LBSU 304 Liberal Arts Core Foundations 3
      Total Credits 42

    • Code Course Name Credits
      ECED 100

       Child Growth and Development

      3

      ECED 110  Child, Family, and Community

      3

      ECED 120  Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children

      3

      ECED 130  Introduction to Curriculum for Young Children

      3

      ECED 200  Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education

      3

      ECED 210  Practicum in Early Childhood Education I

      3

      ECED 220  Health, Safety, and Nutrition

      3

      ECED 230  Teaching in a Diverse Society

      3

      Core Courses

       

      ECED 300  The Professional Early Childhood Educator

      3

      ECED 301  Effective Support for Children with Exceptional Needs and Their Families

      3

      ECED 330  Dual Language Learners and Their Families

      3

      Content Courses

       

      ECED 302  Social and Emotional Competence in Early Childhood Education

      3

      ECED 303  Integrated Learning Standards in Early Childhood Settings: Language & Literacy

      3

      ECED 304  Integrating Learning Standards in Early Childhood Settings: Mathematics and Science

      3

      ECED 398  The Intentional, Reflective Teacher

      3

      ECED 399  Integrated Practice-Practicum II

      3

      ECED 401  The Early Childhood Educator as Decision Maker-Capstone

      3

      Total Credits

      51

    Become the Teacher Who Inspired You

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Learn more about early childhood education and strategies that can prepare you for the classroom.

    Early Childhood Education

    What is the purpose of early childhood education?

    Simply put, the purpose of ECE is to provide children with strategies that help them develop the emotional, social and cognitive skills needed to become lifelong learners. Curricula is set up to encourage young students to learn about themselves and the world through play and sensory experiences. Read more.

    What does a high-quality ECE program look like?

    A good early childhood education program is dynamic, challenging, enriching and carefully planned. A typical ECE curriculum might incorporate songs, books, art, games, toys, experiences and nature exploration into the daily lesson plans for a class or group. Explore more important elements.

    Why is early childhood education important?

    During the early childhood education years, the brain makes millions of synapses every second that allow us to move, think, communicate and comprehend our environments. Children in ECE programs are less likely to repeat a grade, more prepared for school and more likely to earn more in the workforce. Explore more benefits.

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