Early childhood BS
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families? Are you passionate about ensuring that every child has access to quality early learning experiences? If so, then consider a degree in early childhood. You’ll be prepared to work in various fields that serve young children and their families. You also have the option of adding an additional year of studies to earn your MEd and be a licensed classroom teacher.
- Take classes with field-leading faculty in the #1 ranked developmental psychology program in the nation (U.S. News and World Report, 2018).
- Learn the science behind the development of young children from world-leading developmental psychologists.
- Engage in hands-on learning experiences with children in school or community settings beginning your sophomore year.
- Culminate your studies with a student teaching experience on campus at our Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS).
- Choose one of our three tracks to personalize your studies and prepare for your future career.
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.
We're driven to make a difference
Quote from Madi Poindexter
The faculty in the ECE program are so supportive of my individual needs, and encourage me to be successful. I came for the degree and stayed because of the relationships built with instructors.
Choose your specialization track
Early 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. You'll add on an extra year to earn your master’s degree (MEd) and prepare for state licensure to teach infants through third graders. A license is required to be a public school teacher.
Curriculum
Our courses are grounded in the latest child development research. As a student in the Institute of Child Development (ICD), the number one-ranked developmental psychology program in the nation, you’ll put groundbreaking discoveries in development into immediate practice with young children. Our program will prepare you to teach a range of young learners, from infants to 3rd graders. In addition to your traditional coursework on campus, more than half of your semesters will include some type of practicum or student teaching experiences where you will work directly with children and apply what you’re learning in your classes.
View the full curriculum for the early education track in the university catalog
View the full curriculum for the MEd in early childhood education in the university catalog
Careers
Graduates of this track who continue on to earn our MEd degree will apply for a Minnesota birth - 3rd grade license and be eligible to teach in either early childhood settings or elementary schools. Learn more about careers in early childhood and elementary education and career resources for teachers offered through CEHD.
Student teaching experience
Gain teaching experience close to campus! As a senior in our program, you’ll complete a semester-long student teaching experience in the Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS), a preschool located in the Como neighborhood 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.
In your year-long MEd program, 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.
Early and elementary education track
Want flexibility to teach older grades? This track prepares you to teach in a public school setting from preschool and kindergarten up through 6th grade. You'll be able to add on an extra year to earn your MEd and prepare for two licenses: one in early childhood education (birth-grade 3) and one in elementary education (Kindergarten - grade 6). With both licenses, you’ll be able to apply for a wide range of jobs, increasing your marketability to potential employers.
Curriculum
Our courses are grounded in the latest child development research. As a student in the Institute of Child Development (ICD), the number one-ranked developmental psychology program in the nation, you’ll put groundbreaking discoveries in development into immediate practice with young children. Our program will prepare you to teach a range of young learners, from infants to 6th graders. In addition to your traditional coursework on campus, more than half of your semesters will include some type of practicum or student teaching experiences where you will work directly with children and apply what you’re learning in your classes.
View the full curriculum for the early and elementary education track in the university catalog
View the full curriculum for the MEd in early childhood education in the university catalog
Careers
Graduates of this track who continue on to earn our MEd with two licenses will be eligible to teach in either early childhood settings or elementary schools. Learn more about careers in early childhood and elementary education and career resources for teachers offered through CEHD.
Student teaching experience
Gain teaching experience close to campus! As a senior in our program, you’ll complete a semester-long student teaching experience in the Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS), a preschool located in the Como neighborhood 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.
In your year-long MEd program, 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.
These two experiences combined will prepare you to work with all ages of young children in both early childhood and elementary classroom settings. Student teaching will allow you to directly apply coursework and current child development research.
Individualized studies track
If you see yourself in a different type of role within the early childhood field, look to this track for the most flexibility. Our individualized studies program prepares you to work with young children and families in settings where a teaching license is not required. Develop a course plan that blends early childhood classes with your other areas of interest. Examples include languages, healthcare, cultural studies, or performing arts.
Curriculum
Our curriculum will help you build a strong foundation in child development. Complete our general early childhood education coursework alongside the classes you and your advisor plan specifically for your interests in the individualized studies track.
Our pedagogical courses are grounded in the latest child development research. As a teaching student in the Institute of Child Development (ICD), the number one-ranked developmental psychology program in the nation, you’ll put groundbreaking discoveries in brain development into immediate practice with young children.
View the full curriculum for the individual studies track in the university catalog
Careers
Upon graduation, you'll be prepared for a variety of careers in non-licensure settings or to pursue a graduate degree. Examples of these types of positions held by our early childhood graduates 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 education, leadership, and parent and family education
Student teaching experience
As an individualized studies student you have multiple options to choose from for your senior year student teaching experience. Many students choose to complete a semester-long experience in the Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS), a preschool located in the Como neighborhood close to the Twin Cities campus and one of the longest-running laboratory schools in the nation.
Others take a course and teaching practicum in Trauma-Informed Care to achieve a particular focus on more vulnerable populations. Still others work individually with early childhood staff and instructors to plan something more suited to their unique career interests and goals, such as a learning abroad experience or teaching in a language immersion school.
Learning abroad
Consider learning abroad as part of your early childhood major. As a learning abroad student, you’ll have the chance to 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 U of M semester in Montpellier, France, was specifically designed to include courses and opportunities for our major. No French language background required; major courses are all taught in English.
Teaching Practicum in Montpellier, France
Take teaching courses with a practicum, beginning through advanced French language classes, and electives in youth development and psychology. Study in this vibrant city with a centuries-old history of intellectual advances and social tolerance. Enjoy the college-town atmosphere, nightlife, and student-centered community.
Meet your advisor
We're here to answer any questions you have about the program.
Quote from Meghan Allen Eliason
I am so excited to work with our early educators who are preparing to do such important and meaningful work with young people and families. I am here to help guide our students through their degrees, which includes understanding program requirements and planning for post-college goals. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions!
Get started
First-year admissions
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 U of M.
To learn more and apply, click here.
Transfer admissions
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 U of M students who aren't in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) are also considered transfer students.
The Early Childhood BS major is housed in CEHD. If you're interested in transferring to CEHD to declare an early childhood major, review their transfer admissions website.
Declare a major
Are you a current CEHD student who is ready to declare your major? Follow these steps.
Note that CEHD admits transfer students directly into majors, so non-CEHD students should follow the transfer admission steps above in order to declare an early childhood major.
Tuition and funding
Visit One Stop Student Services to learn more about tuition and financing in general, and the Office of Admissions scholarships page for more information on general college scholarships. For additional tuition and financing information, visit CEHD’s undergraduate costs, aid and scholarships page.
Scholarships and financial aid are available for early childhood majors! For example, incoming first-year students are automatically considered for the Campbell Scholarship for Education. Visit CEHD’s teaching scholarships page to learn more about financial aid specifically for future teachers. There is also a state program called T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MINNESOTA 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.