Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > BS in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor of Science (BS) in
Early Childhood Education

Online

Program Overview

Prepare yourself to shape the future of young children by earning your degree online from The University of Alabama. Through the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education program, you will gain an understanding of the growth and development of children from birth through age four so you can guide them through some of their most important developmental stages.

Program Format
Online
Credit Hours
120
Tuition Per Hour
$385

Invest in Your Career for a Brighter Future

Through your coursework, you will understand parent/child relationships, as well as the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. You’ll learn how to design, implement and evaluate programs for children in preschool. The knowledge and skills you gain through this program prepare you to help children and families solve problems and successfully interact with others, benefitting your community for years to come.

The certificate is an alternative pathway for eligible students seeking to apply for teaching certification in Alabama (Pre-Kindergarten: Birth to Age 4 Child Development Teaching Certificate). Learn more about this certificate approach in Alabama by visiting the Alabama State Department of Education website. To ensure that completion of this program will lead to an equivalent certification or licensure in your home state, contact your home state’s department of education (office of certification or licensure) for verification.

Application DeadlineApplications accepted year round
RankingRanked #3 by TheBestSchools.org
AccreditationNational Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
InternshipYes (one semester)
Are test scores required?ACT and SAT scores are not required through the Fall 2024 entry term

Curriculum

The BS in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is designed for those who are currently working in or interested in working in early child development programs. The ECE program requires the completion of 120 hours with a minimum of 30 hours from The University of Alabama. No more than 60 hours can be transferred from a two-year institution.

Students will be required to complete an internship (6 credit hours) and any courses needed to satisfy the core curriculum as well as additional major courses, which will be offered online. Please note that courses are subject to change.

HD 101 Life Span Human Development
HD 202* Child Development Infancy and Toddlerhood
HD 205* Early and Middle Childhood Development
HD 215 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
HD 321* Curriculum Planning in ECE I
HD 322* Curriculum Planning in ECE II
HD 327 Assessment of Young Children
HD 382 Parent and Family Development
HD 422 Child Centers and Programs
HD 472 Program Evaluation
HD 495* Early Childhood Education Internship
BSC 109 Intro Biology for Non Majors II
PY 101 Intro to Psychology
SPE 471 Developmental Perspectives of Young Children with Disabilities
Choose one of the following: BER 345 Educational Statistics, PY 211 Elementary Statistical Methods or HD 220 Research & Critical Thinking

*Course requires a field placement component, preferably at a National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited preschool.

It is the student’s responsibility to secure a site for the field placement. Educators are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.

Individuals who have completed a bachelor’s level National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – accredited program in child development for birth through age 4 may seek an Early Childhood Development Certificate for birth through age 4. Although this certificate is not a Professional Educator Certificate, holders may be employed in Alabama schools and may pursue the Class B Birth Through Age 4 Professional Educator Certificate. Click here to read more about the ALSDE Application and Summary Requirements for the Early Childhood Development (Birth through Age 4) Certificate Approach.

Admission

To apply for formal admission to any of the undergraduate degree programs offered through UA Online, you must complete an admissions application and submit transcripts from all colleges previously attended (and a high school transcript if you have less than 24 semester hours of college coursework). Alabama transfer students considering enrollment should follow the transfer guide.

Applicants must meet one of the following admission requirements:

If you have earned more than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet the transfer student admission requirement of a minimum 2.0 overall college GPA.
If you have earned less than 24 college-level credit hours at the time of your application to the University, you will need to meet both the 2.0 overall college GPA required for transfer students, as well as Admission Requirements for Freshmen Students. If high school graduation was more than four years ago, ACT/SAT scores are not required.

The Child Development Research Center (CDRC) is dedicated to being a leader in the study of young children. The CDRC is a state-of-the-art, 64,000 sq-ft research facility equipped with the latest multi-media research technology, 7 large research suites, and 8 research rooms. Each research room has an adjoining observation and research booths. The CDRC also has 10 children’s classrooms, complete with research and observation booths and access to a playground, which accommodate an on-site children’s program. The Children’s Program is a laboratory school that enrolls approximately 112 students ages 0 – 5 yrs.

In addition the CDRC houses Child Development Resources, which helps families across the state of Alabama provide a safe, loving, and enriching life for their young children.

Find more information and learn about restrictions related to this degree program that may exist regarding licensure in the state in which you reside.