Early Childhood Education B.A.Sc.

The Early Childhood Education major, culminating in a Bachelor of Applied Science degree and a recommendation for Early Childhood Teacher Licensure in Minnesota, offers an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare students for a myriad of roles within the early childhood education sector. This program not only provides a deep dive into foundational understandings on child development, social justice, and leadership but also emphasizes practical experiences through various field experiences across child care, preprimary, and elementary settings. With a focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of how to support the holistic development of young learners, the program curriculum covers health, safety and wellbeing, developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive practices, as well as the importance of connecting family, school, and culture. The program also prepares graduates to address the diverse needs of all children, with a focus on working with Indigenous students and multilingual learners.

Graduates are well-equipped for employment in a range of environments including public schools, community and private preschools, early primary grades, home- and center-based childcare, Head Start programs, and hospital-based settings, due to a common core of courses that cover child development, parent-child relations, early childhood curriculum and programming, as well as social justice, anti-racist pedagogies, educational leadership, and program administration. This extensive program not only leads to Minnesota licensure in early childhood education (birth through grade three) but also offers international student teaching placements, ensuring graduates are ready to make a significant impact in various educational contexts.