The Early Childhood Development program prepares individuals to work with children ages birth through eight, families, and programs serving individuals and families within communities.

Program of Study

Core courses

  • Lifespan Human Development
  • Interacting with Children
  • Early Childhood Practicum
  • Developmental Planning: preschool and kindergarten
  • Early Childhood Program Organization and Management
  • Directed Readings in Early Childhood Development
  • Professional & Social Skills
  • Development of the Child:Birth-8
  • Parent Professional Relationships
  • Student teaching in Early Childhood

Student teaching: Students complete a student teaching experience in two settings. They are in the child development preschool lab for a part of their experience and then either in a Head Start program or an infant/toddler program. The second placement depends on each individual student's career goals. All early childhood develoment students are directed toward this experience.

Internship: In addition to student teaching students have the possibility to complete an internship to further develop their area of expertise related to their specific goal. Under rare circumstances students complete an internship in place of a student teaching experience. This must be approved by the student's advisor to serve as a substituition.

Electives: Student can focus electives on what will best prepare them for their chosen career. Common choices are in the areas of program leadership, physical education, intervention or literacy.