Start your journey
Prepare to become an early childhood teacher
Choose from three tracks in the early childhood BS:
- Early education track | Add a fifth year of study to earn your MEd and apply for state licensure to teach infants through third grade
- Early and elementary education track | Add a fifth year of study to earn your MEd and prepare for two licenses:
- Early childhood education (birth through third grade)
- Elementary education (Kindergarten through sixth grade)
- Individualized studies | Blend early childhood classes with your other areas of interest, such as languages, healthcare, cultural studies, or performing arts
First-year student admissions are handled through the Office of Admissions. You're considered a first-year student if you graduated high school and are starting your first-year of college at the University of Minnesota.
You're considered a transfer student if you've registered or enrolled at a college, university, or any other school after graduating from high school. Current University of Minnesota students who aren't in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) are also considered transfer students.
Are you a current CEHD student who is ready to declare your major in early childhood? Learn more about the process.
Early childhood education track
If you want to work in a preschool or elementary school setting someday, this track will start you down the path of becoming a licensed early childhood educator. Graduates of this track who continue on to earn our MEd degree will apply for a Minnesota birth through third grade license and be eligible to teach in either early childhood settings or elementary schools.
Early and elementary education track
If you want to work in a preschool or elementary school setting someday, this track will start you down the path of becoming a licensed early childhood educator. Graduates of this track who continue on to earn our MEd degree will apply for a Minnesota birth through third grade license and be eligible to teach in either early childhood settings or elementary schools.
Individualized studies track
Upon graduation, you'll be prepared for a variety of careers in non-licensure settings or for graduate school. Examples of positions held by our alumni include:
- preschool or child care director / administrator
- guardian ad litem
- public television programming and outreach manager
- early childhood advocacy leader
- community education coordinator
- graduate student in occupational therapy, special education, international
Coursework
- Early education track: Add a fifth year of study to earn your MEd and apply for state licensure to teach infants through third grade.
- Early and elementary education track: Add a fifth year of study to earn your MEd and prepare for two licenses: one in early childhood education (infants–third grade) and one in elementary education (Kindergarten–sixth grade).
- Individualized studies: Want to explore careers that don't require a teaching license? This flexible option blends early childhood classes with your other areas of interest, such as languages, healthcare, cultural studies, or performing arts.
Our courses are grounded in the latest child development research. They will prepare you to teach a range of young learners, from infants to third graders. In addition to traditional coursework on campus, more than half of your semesters will include a practicum or student teaching experience where you will apply what you’re learning.
120 credits are needed to graduate. Visit the program catalog to learn more about coursework for the three tracks in the early education BS:
Student teaching experience
Gain teaching experience close to campus! As a senior in our BS program, you’ll complete a semester-long student teaching experience in the Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS), a preschool located close to the Twin Cities campus and one of the longest-running laboratory schools in the nation. Students are assigned to teach with a qualified lead teacher for a semester. During this period, the lead teacher works with the teacher candidates to help them develop teaching competencies.
For those moving on to the early childhood education MEd program, you will gain an additional year of student teaching experience. You will be placed in a local, public elementary school with a lead teacher to further develop your teaching skills. As part of your experience, you’ll plan, implement, and evaluate individual, small group and large group activities and lesson plans. You’ll also assume the responsibilities of the lead teacher for a number of weeks and work with a cooperating teacher to support their classroom and practice leading your own lessons. Student teaching will allow you to directly apply coursework and current child development research.
Tuition and funding
Tuition
Visit One Stop Student Services to learn about tuition and financing at the University of Minnesota.
Funding
- Visit the Office of Admissions for more information on college-specific scholarships
- Learn about undergraduate scholarships from the College of Education and Human Development
- Incoming first-year students are automatically considered for the Campbell Scholarship for Education
Financial aid
- Learn about financial aid specifically for future teachers
- Learn about Minnesota’s T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarship program that helps early childhood and school-age educators increase their levels of education, compensation, and commitment to the field by earning college credits and degrees
What our students say
Quote from Mirka Zhagui, Class of 2026
I got to complete my field experience in a kindergarten classroom and had the opportunity to work with an amazing cooperating teacher. During my four months there, I interacted with students, supported them in learning their skills, and overall got to know each student. Additionally, I worked with three English language learners, and on my first day, my cooperating teacher informed me that these three students spoke Spanish. I was able to speak Spanish with them, and I remember the first time I spoke with them in Spanish—their little faces lit up with smiles and surprise. These moments with students and being able to communicate with them in either language reminded me of why I chose this major.
Learning abroad
Immerse yourself in a different culture, advance your education, and gain the experience of a lifetime.
Students have many learning abroad opportunities to choose from to fulfill general degree requirements, but the semester-long program in Montpellier, France, was specifically designed to include courses and opportunities for our major. No French language background is required; major courses are all taught in English.
Study abroad in Montpellier, France
Take teaching courses with a practicum, beginning through advanced French language classes, and electives in youth development and psychology. Study in a vibrant city with a centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social tolerance. Enjoy the college-town atmosphere, nightlife, and student-centered community.
Early childhood mission statement
The Institute of Child Development’s early childhood education programs recognize that all children deserve equitable learning experiences so they can achieve their full potential. Our academic programs are rooted in the science of child development, which tells us that high-quality early childhood education occurs in the context of positive relationships among teachers, children, and their families. We are committed to training educators who build strong relationships, embrace diversity, value full inclusion, and work to eliminate structural inequities that limit children’s educational opportunities.