Early Childhood Education
Resources
Description
The Department of Human Development and Family Studies offers a major in Early Childhood Education. This major is available on campus and also is offered completely online for students who require access to the degree from a distance. The ECE curriculum provides students an understanding of the growth and development of young children zero to eight years old. Graduates are prepared to work with children and families in a variety of programs, including government, private and corporate settings. ECE majors are equipped with critical knowledge and transferable skills for maintaining currency in today's rapidly changing society. Students learn to apply developmental principles in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs for young children. Along with a strong liberal arts education, students complete extensive coursework and practical experience in curriculum and guidance for early learners. Students receive hands-on practice with faculty who have professional experience and outstanding academic credentials. Also, students have opportunities to participate with faculty in research programs focused on the student's field of study.
Interests and Skills
Students majoring in Early Childhood Education have a genuine concern for children and families and seek the challenge of helping people learn, solve life problems, and successfully interact with others. Students learn how to design, implement and evaluate programs for children in preschool programs. Through coursework and supervised practice, students develop an understanding of parent/child relationships, as well as the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. Students learn to recognize, create, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate experiences for preschoolers.
Degree Options
Early Childhood Education students graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Human Environmental Sciences degree. Students who choose to do so may continue their education in a teacher education master’s program to obtain teacher certification, or they may pursue a Master of Science in Human Environmental Sciences. Some students continue to one of the HDFS collaborative doctoral programs in Education or Psychology.
Career Opportunities
Graduates often pursue graduate study at UA or other prominent universities, or they develop careers in various settings serving children. Most importantly, ECE graduates work in rewarding careers ultimately improving the quality of life for children and families.
Types of Jobs Accepted
Graduates can be found working as teachers, directors, advocates, educational coordinators, or policy makers in schools, businesses, mental health agencies, and community, private or church-related programs. Following graduation, opportunities to link real world experience with classroom theory help students increase their individual marketability for the job search.
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Teachers, Child Care Center Administrators, Community Service Providers, Social Services Representative, Teen Mom Program Director, Child Daycare Provider, Child Protection Agent, Writer/Editor of Children's Books, Parent Counselor, State Department of Education, Child Care Resources, State Department of Human Resources, State Department of Children's Affairs and Child/Family Advocate.
Early Childhood Education (ECHS)
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| EN 101 | EN 102 |
| PY 101 | HISTORY CORE |
| HES 100 | HD 205 |
| MATH CORE | BSC 109 |
| HD 101 | LITERATURE CORE |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| FINE ARTS | HU, L, OR FA |
| NATURAL SCI CORE | HD 382 |
| HD 202 | FL OR C |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | HI OR SB |
| ELECTIVE COURSE | |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| HD 321 | HD 322 |
| SPE 471 | HD 302 |
| HES 310 | HD 422 |
| ELECTIVE COURSES | ELECTIVE COURSES |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| WRITING CORE | HD 495 |
| HD 472 | HU, L, OR FA |
| HD 488 | ELECTIVE COURSES |
| FL OR C | |
| ELECTIVE COURSE |