Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (BAECE)
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Program Overview
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education (BAECE)
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
National University’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education gives you the tools and skills to make an impact in the lives of young learners. Fostering a love of learning in children under the age of eight can set them up for success throughout their entire educational journey. Beyond learning academics, early childhood education focuses on social and emotional development and helps young minds develop a positive outlook on education. Whether you’re looking to advance your career as an early childhood educator or begin in the field, a bachelor’s degree will give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Help Children Build a Strong Foundation for Learning
The BAECE program at NU is based on a conceptual framework of current theory, contemporary perspectives, and sound research findings. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, practice, reflection, and field experiences needed to become efficient, competent, and an effective professional in the field. You’ll learn to design appropriate learning environments, individual and adaptive curricula, and instructional strategies and techniques to maximize learning outcomes.
Background Check
Agencies/schools collaborating with the Sanford College of Education to provide field experience often require a background check and TB clearance prior to acceptance of a student into their facility. Candidates who do not have a Certificate of Clearance will not be able to attend the field experience component of the course and, therefore, will be unable to complete their program of study. Any fee or cost associated with background checks and TB testing is the responsibility of the student.
Note: ALL ECE prefix courses require a field experience in an approved setting. An approved setting is working with children from Birth to Age 5 in general education, inclusive setting. Recommended sites are Early Head Start, Head Start, CA State Preschools, TK, and NAEYC-accredited sites.
Students may be required to provide proof of current DTAP, MMR, and Flu vaccinations in order to complete their fieldwork per SB792. Any fee or cost associated with this requirement is the responsibility of the student.
Degree Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below.
National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters.
Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.
- 45 quarter units must be completed at National University
- 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level, and the University General Education requirements
In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree. Refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.
Preparation for the Major
4 Courses
The Growing Child: Zero to 8
4.5 Quarter Units
Overview of major and theoretical frameworks and perspectives. Focus on gender and cultural impact on biological, physical, cognitive, social, moral, emotional and behavioral aspects of development for effective educational practices.
Child, Family, School and Comm
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on the influence of family, school and community on development and education of the young child. Special emphasis on the role of nutrition, positive home and school environments and community resources.
Diversity: Development & Ed.
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on cultural pluralism and its impact on development and education in regards to teaching and learning strategies. Emphasis on self-examination, reflection, and integration of current processes involved in interactions and relationships in society.
Health, Nutrition and Safety
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on the eight components for coordinated health for young children in out-of-home care. Health, physical education, health and nutrition services, health promotion for the staff, counseling and psychological services, a safe healthy environment, and family involvement, and community resources and personnel will be addressed. Attention will be directed towards children with special needs and challenging behaviors as well as legal and ethical issues in the field of early childhood.
Requirements for the Major
12 Courses
Ethical and Legal Issues
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on local, state and federal statutes and regulations in early education settings. Emphasis on ethical codes of conduct, including analysis of legal and ethical dilemmas and practice.
Early Cognition
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 201; ECE 210; HED 220 and ECE 211
Inquiry into the nature and tasks of early cognition including social, cultural and biological foundations. Attention paid to current research implications for learning theory, individual differences and classroom instruction.
Infant and Toddler Care
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus is on infants and toddlers in group care settings. Emphasis is on close, caring relationships in the cultural context of the child and family, understanding developmental milestones, the identification of special needs, and current issues of health, safety and nutrition.
Early Language and Literacy
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on acquisition and developmental aspects of language related to emergent literacy skills. Emphasis on current research regarding language experiences that contributes to literacy acquisitions, including assessment and instruction.
Designing Emergent Curriculum
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on essential elements of curriculum design including writing of goals, learning outcomes, developmentally appropriate activities, assessment measures and integration of the arts. Alignment with national and state standards stressed.
Nature, Numbers and Technology
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on identification, design and delivery of developmentally age appropriate experiences that encourage active math, science and technology inquiry. Inquiry related to emerging notions of mathematical and scientific processes is basis for activities along with the inclusion of technology as a strategy.
Play as Pedagogy
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on play as the primary learning modality for young children. Theoretical basis for play as a means of teaching, role in learning and as a means of assessment emphasized.
Observing, Assessing & Planning
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on acquiring and enhancing skills in the selection, administration, scoring, interpretation, reporting of screening assessment instruments. Emphasis on designing and implementing curricula based on assessment results.
Children with Special Needs
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Exploration of variations in child development and identification of specific disabilities in young children. Inclusive early childhood programs, specific strategies for adaptation and accommodation of the core curriculum to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of children who are at-risk or have special needs are examined.
Strategies: Guiding Behaviors
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on observation, identification, description, and assessment of challenging behaviors. Designing and implementing effective teaching and learning strategies to successfully guide these behaviors within a social and cultural context.
Partnering With Families
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: ECE 330
Focus on acquiring knowledge through current research and developmental theories to plan responsive environments that strengthen family-school partnerships. Will explore through case studies optimum communication techniques for building and maintaining positive relationships with family members.
Academic Seminar/Field Experie
4.5 Quarter Units
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of all core courses with an average grade of “C” (2.0) or better in the core.
Participation in a collaborative field/academic experience to reflect and actively practice material covered in core classes. Field experience must be in approved setting and arranged by student. Grading is S or U only.
Upper-Division Electives
Select 4 Courses
Music, Movement, Drama, Dance
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on enriching and enhancing young children’s learning through the creative arts. Emphasis on integrating creative experiences within core subjects to create developmentally appropriate experiences.
Literature and Young Children
4.5 Quarter Units
A survey of literature for young children in preschool through first grade. Emphasis on effective read aloud and story telling strategies for the developing language and listening skills, for developing concepts of print and vocabulary and for fostering a love of reading and early literacy skills.
Infant/Toddler Observe/Assess
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on authentic informal and formal assessments for infants and toddlers, and the use of case study to develop observation skills leading to the promotion of responsive environments.
Infant/Toddler Curriculum
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on infant and toddler development and the role of the adult in supporting optimal outcomes through routines, curriculum planning, and implementation. Candidates will examine the primary components of quality care and education.
Infant/Toddler Experiences
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on understanding the value of providing opportunities for infants and toddlers to engage in sensory art exploration as well as experimentation with culturally diverse music and dance. Emphasis is on creating experiences indoors and outdoors focusing on the aesthetic process of experiencing various rhythms, tones, textures and color.
Program Administration
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on administration of early childhood programs. Emphasis on working with boards, staff, parents and volunteers. Highlights include hiring, assessing, and supervising staff and volunteers. Attention to designing staff and volunteer professional development programs.
Financial Mgmt & Resources
4.5 Quarter Units
Focus on financial policies and management of resources in early education settings. Emphasis on accounting fundamentals of preparing, recording and monitoring funds.
Trauma-Informed Practice
4.5 Quarter Units
Understand the impact of crisis, trauma and abuse on young children’s development. Examine research-based classroom strategies to support and mitigate the impact on young children. Focus on building resilience through collaborative partnerships, community resources and advocacy.
Planning Physical Environments
4.5 Quarter Units
Guidelines on planning, designing and organizing physical learning environments for young children. Understanding, comparing, integrating theoretical frameworks on indoor and outdoor environments.
Career Outlook
Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
Here are some careers this degree could prepare you for:
Please select the state you will work in to view job data in your area
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary
- Job Openings
- Preschool Teachers
-
$36,662
avg. salary (USA) -
67,968
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Preschool Education
- Child Development
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom Management
- Early Childhood Education
- Working With Children
- Special Education
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- KinderCare Education
- Bright Horizons
- Learning Care Group
- Cadence Education
- La Petite Academy
- Learning Experience
- YMCA
Program Learning Outcomes
Learn the key skills to help you excel in your field of study.
- Identify essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas and resources for Early Childhood Education.
- Develop oral, written and technological skills for communicating with families and very young children.
- Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for young children.
- Use systematic observations, documentation, and other assessment strategies in partnership with families and professionals to positively influence children’s development and learning.
- Implement a curriculum that promotes development and learning outcomes for diverse young children.
- Demonstrate ethical, legal, and professional standards in Early Childhood Education.
- Create positive relationships and supportive interactions with young children.
Admissions
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Pricing
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Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
Accreditations
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Why National University?
We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 245,000 alumni worldwide.
“This degree will help me to make an impact in my community by providing me with the appropriate tools, methods, theories, and practices in the Early Childhood Education field to provide my current and future classes with the highest quality of education I can provide them.”
Lisa Alcantara,
Class of 2022
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At National University, you’re part of a family. As a student, you’ll have the support of staff, faculty members, students, and alumni who will be there with you every step of the way, cheering you on as you pursue your goals.
Our network of 245,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.
FAQs
A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education opens doors in a variety of industries, including preschool education, preschool and daycare administration, recreation, and community family service organizations. Employers in this field are looking for skills in teaching, communications, first aid, leadership, planning, management, operations, research, and customer service.
With this bachelor’s degree from National University, you will be prepared to seek roles in the education field such as:
- Preschool Teachers
- Pre-K Teachers
- Summer Camp Teachers
- Child Care Teachers
- Early Childhood Teachers
- Toddler Teachers
- Infant Teachers
- Head Start Teachers
- Home Day Care Provider/Owner
*SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://lightcast.io/lot/occupations/categories (Report viewed: April, 2022). DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for Informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.
The BA in Early Childhood Education curriculum at NU is very rigorous and empowering, with a unique structure focused on three foundations: play, practice, and policy. Throughout the program, you will work with faculty mentors who are also practicing professionals in the field who are able to provide real-world insights and up-to-date knowledge. This also means they share your passion for bettering the lives of youth through meaningful early education.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience, which will prove to be extremely valuable as you pursue a fulfilling career. Upon completion of the program, you’ll have the confidence and ability to make a lasting impact.
Overall, if you want to have a career that involves teaching and helping young children, an early childhood education degree might be the best choice for you.
ECE units refer to early childhood education units. They are essentially units of measure akin to credits for courses related to early childhood education or early childhood development.
Early childhood education (ECE) focuses on the academic, social, and cognitive skills that develop in children from birth through age 8 according to NAEYC. Elementary education refers to the primary education that comes after preschool but before middle school (typically kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade.)
Additional Resources
Program Disclosure
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All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
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