Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education (BAECE)
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education (BAECE)
Class of 2022
Give Children a Foundation for Learning
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from National University 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 learning 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.
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.
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Program Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of National University’s BA in Early Childhood Education program, you will be able to:
- 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
*Source: Emsi Labor Analyst
With a 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
- Infant/Toddler Teachers
- Early Childhood Teachers
- Toddler Teachers
- Infant Teachers
- Head Start Teachers
- Home Day Care Provider/Owner
You will 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.
With this degree, you may choose a career as a:
- Preschool teacher
- Kindergarten teacher (BA in ECD with ITL needed)
- Child care center director
- Preschool director
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.
Lori Piowlski, PhD
Chair, Teacher Education Department, Professor
“Right now, early childhood is at such a crossroads and we really need passionate, heartfelt, lifelong learners to come into this field, who can really take charge and become agents of change.”
Lisa Alcantara
Class of 2022
“This degree will help me 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.”
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Take the first step by starting your application online today.
To speak to an enrollment advisor about this program, please email [email protected].
Early Childhood Education Program FAQs
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.)
Online elementary education degree programs that can prepare you to become a kindergarten teacher are available, though you’ll need to complete a student teaching requirement in person. NU does offer a BA in ECD with ITL, which can prepare candidates to meet the TK requirement as well as obtain the multiple subject credential. Read about online bachelor’s degree programs in elementary education and their typical course requirements.
Why Choose 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 180,000 alumni worldwide.
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements in a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
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.
*Positions may require additional experience, training and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program specific requirements. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.