Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education prepares individuals for careers in early care and education. Based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Preparation Standards for Initial Licensure, this program focuses on building the knowledge, skills and dispositions that early childhood educators need to provide high quality, inclusive early care and education for children ages birth to eight in a variety of settings.   Students will explore areas including, but not limited to, the following: child development and learning; relationships, interactions and guidance; screening, observation, assessment and documentation; learning environments, meaningful content and curriculum. Culture, equity and diversity are integrated throughout the program. Students also gain intentional and relevant technology skills. The early childhood education program provides students with the depth of study required for entry into graduate studies in early childhood.

The program is designed to complement previous early childhood educational training and fieldwork typically received in community colleges. The coursework encapsulates current thinking and research in early childhood education. Throughout the program, students apply their learning through fieldwork experiences with children birth to eight. Fieldwork experiences must be completed in at least one of the following settings: primary or elementary school, private or publicly funded early care and education center or family childcare home. The practicums offer the opportunity for students to demonstrate their teaching competencies under guided supervision. The capstone course requires students to integrate their knowledge and skills to show their competence in the NAEYC and state standards and implement a transformational change project in response to a classroom challenge.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Research-based Practice: Integrate brain research and evidence-based practices that support development and learning across the curriculum.
• Child Development: Integrate child development theories into classroom practices.
• Reciprocal Relationships: Develop plans to promote child, family and community relationships that enhance children's development and learning.
• Responsive Environments: Create learning environments that maximize child development, learning, health, and safety.
• Comprehensive Assessments: Employ formal and informal assessment procedures to gather child and family information to provide meaningful programs and curricula.
• Ethical Practice: Implement the NAEYC Code of Ethics and demonstrate professional behaviors.
• Embracing Diversity: Create classroom environments and curriculum that acknowledge and celebrate children and families’ diversity.

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education Program Information and Requirements

Minimum Grade Requirement

All courses taken in the major program must be passed with a grade equivalent of "C" or higher. A grade of “C-” or lower is considered unacceptable and the course must be repeated.

Transfer Credit Policy

The Early Childhood foundation courses or equivalent may be transferred in. A request to transfer coursework may be granted if a) the course(s) can be shown to be equivalent in content and is approved by the Associate Dean.  An Associate’s degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education or equivalent earned at a regionally accredited institution, a valid California Child Development Permit at the Teacher level or higher, or a Washington State ECE Certificate may be used to fulfill the Early Childhood foundation courses.