The early childhood education (ECE) major prepares graduates to work with a diverse population of young children and families using research-based, developmentally appropriate educational practices. The ECE major is a teacher preparation program accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), with curricular emphasis on the years spanning birth to age five. Experiential learning activities, assessments, and classroom practicum experiences with children in birth to pre-K settings are provided for all students. The knowledge and skills that ECE students learn help prepare them to teach in a variety of early learning programs, such as programs that use emergent curriculum, Pre-K programs housed in public schools, private childcare programs, faith-based programs, community-based programs, and others. Students also are prepared for non-teaching careers as early interventionists, case managers, employees for non-profit organizations, and curriculum specialists. Eligible students may also apply for teacher certification (Birth to PreK Child Development Certificate) to work in public Pre-K classrooms in Alabama. This major has a one-semester internship requirement.
Degree Options
Early childhood education students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who began their studies on or after July 2017, may apply for teacher certification through the Alabama State Department of Education.
HDFS Department Requirements
All students with a major in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies must take the following courses as part of the University core requirements:
| Code and Title | Hours |
BSC 114
& BSC 115 or | Principles Of Biology I
and Laboratory Biology I | 4 |
| BSC 109 | Intro Biology Non Maj II |
| HD 101 | Life Span Human Development | 3 |
| PY 101 | Intro To Psychology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 10 |
Early Childhood Education Major Requirements
| Code and Title | Hours |
| HD 202 | Child Dev-Infancy/Todlr | 3 |
| HD 205 | Early and Middle Child Dev | 3 |
| HD 215 | Foundations of ECE | 3 |
| HD 321 | Curriculum Planning in ECE I | 3 |
| HD 322 | Curriculum Planning in ECE II | 3 |
| HD 327 | Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| HD 382 | Parent And Family Devt | 3 |
| HD 422 | Admin Child Centers & Programs | 3 |
| HD 472 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| HD 495 | Early Childhood Ed Internship | 6 |
| SPE 471 | Dev Persp Young Child W/ Disab | 3 |
| 3 |
| Research & Critical Thinking | |
| Elem Statistical Methods | |
| Educational Statistics | |
| Total Hours | 39 |
Each student completing the early childhood education major must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher in both HD and UA coursework before enrolling in HD 495 Early Childhood Ed Internship. Many internship opportunities require a cumulative and HD GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students should contact the department’s internship coordinator for further information.
Careers for Graduates
Early Childhood Educator, birth-pre K teacher, early interventionist, curriculum specialist, case manager, advocate for early childhood policies, and employee for non-profit organization.
Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Lead teachers, pre-K teachers, instructional facilitators, cooperating master teachers, and school administrators (principals, special education supervisors, and directors of non-profit organizations).
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
