Early Childhood Education (B.S.)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/program/bs/early-childhood-education

This program is designed for individuals seeking career options in early childhood care settings. Courses in this program prepare individuals to be qualified early childhood education and child care providers. This major offers a model curriculum which addresses standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The completion of this degree qualifies individuals for the Early Childhood credential through the New Hampshire Child Development Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services. This degree does not lead to public school teacher certification through the Department of Education.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program
Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.
 
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.

ENG 420The Writing Process4
COM 460Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics4
COM 480Visual Communication4
CRIT 501Introduction to Critical Inquiry4
Select one of the following:4
MTH 402
Math for Our World
MTH 504
Statistics
MTH 510
Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression4
CRIT 602Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking4
IDIS 601Interdisciplinary Seminar4
Total Credits40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

ENG 420
The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Major in Early Childhood Education
Foundational Courses
PSY 470Child Development4
EDC 501Foundations of Early Childhood Education4
EDC 502Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education4
EDC 503Language and Literacy Development4
EDC 504Health, Safety & Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings4
EDC 505Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood Education4
EDC 506Young Children with Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Settings4
EDC 507Early Childhood Program Administration4
Intermediate Courses
PSY 480Infant and Toddler Development4
EDC 601Positive Behavior Guidance in Early Childhood Education4
EDC 602Learning and Early Childhood Environments4
Advanced Courses
EDC 712Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education4
EDC 713Family and Community Relations in Early Childhood Education4
SOCI 675Child Abuse and Neglect4
Integrative Capstone
EDC 797Practicum: Professionalism in Early Childhood Education4
Total Credits60

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
EDC 501 Foundations of Early Childhood Education 4
ENG 420 The Writing Process 4
PSY 470 Child Development 4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 460 Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics 4
CRIT 501 Introduction to Critical Inquiry 4
EDC 502 Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education 4
MTH 402
or MTH 504
or MTH 510
 Math for Our World
or Statistics
or Pre-Calculus
 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480 Visual Communication 4
EDC 503 Language and Literacy Development 4
EDC 504 Health, Safety & Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings 4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
EDC 505 Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood Education 4
EDC 506 Young Children with Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Settings 4
EDC 507 Early Childhood Program Administration 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking 4
EDC 601 Positive Behavior Guidance in Early Childhood Education 4
PSY 480 Infant and Toddler Development 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
EDC 602 Learning and Early Childhood Environments 4
SOCI 675 Child Abuse and Neglect 4
General Education Course 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar 4
EDC 712 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education 4
EDC 713 Family and Community Relations in Early Childhood Education 4
Elective 4
 Credits16
Spring
EDC 797 Practicum: Professionalism in Early Childhood Education 4
Elective 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits120
  • Develop knowledge and skills in promoting child development with an understanding and application of developmentally appropriate practice.
  • Develop knowledge and skills to develop, implement, and evaluate meaningful curriculum for all children.
  • Develop knowledge and skills to communicate and collaborate with children, families, and professionals.