Early Childhood Development

Mostly Online Bachelor of Science Degree

 

Overview

The vision of the Department of Early Childhood Education at East Tennessee State University is to model and inspire lifelong learning and produce professionals who advocate for and create quality early childhood experiences.

Students who choose Early Childhood Development (Early Care and Education - Non-Licensure) as a major enjoy the option of working as an advocate for young children in various community positions, or providing direct child care for young children in group settings. This Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree allows you to complete coursework in childhood development, curricula, and program development.

The Early Childhood Education Department is affiliated with the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning & Development, the ETSU Child Study Center (NAEYC accredited), and Little Buccaneers (3 Star-Rated), providing students with field service opportunities in high quality settings.

Program

The Early Childhood Education Department is affiliated with the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning & Development, the ETSU Child Study Center (NAEYC accredited), and Little Buccaneers (3 Star-Rated), providing students with field service opportunities in high quality settings.

This is an interdisciplinary degree that combines the early childhood offerings along with a designated minor. This major is not designed for licensure.

A minimum of 34 hours is required for this program in early childhood development plus a six-hour practicum/field experience. Students must have earned a grade of C or higher in all courses included in the undergraduate major in early childhood development. In addition, students need to declare a minor.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the B.S. Early Childhood Development entry of the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.

When you complete the required coursework, you will...

Be trained in theories of childhood development. 

Exhibit advanced instructional skills.

Be well-acquainted with the education industry.

A young woman sits at a table with several young children. Some of them have their hands raised.

Steps to Apply

Admission is available to degree-seeking undergraduates based upon a review of grades in high school courses, grades in college courses, scores on the ACT or SAT examination, and completion of specific high school courses in light of admission requirements. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Office of Admissions website for complete information on requirements and the application process.

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Undergraduate," select your student type, select your start term, then choose  Early Childhood Development and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

 

Apply Now

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Cost

TN Residents *GA, KY, NC, SC, VA *Other USA States  eRate (Out of State, 100% online) All International
$441 per credit hour $469 per credit hour $569 per credit hour $507 per credit hour $1202 per credit hour

- Note, tuition discounts are available for border county students
- This amount may not include program-specific fees

*First-Time Freshman and Transfer Students only
**Currently enrolled students should visit the tuition and fees charts if considering a major change.

Read more about cost, paying for courses, scholarship options and financial aid, or use the Tuition and Fees estimator to see approximate costs.

The information presented in the Tuition and Fees estimator is only an estimate; it is not an actual statement of costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should a student pursue this program at ETSU? What makes it unique?

    The mostly-online Early Childhood Development B.S. program was designed to allow transfer students to stay in the areas where they currently live and complete their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work in their child care centers. They are allowed to use the child care center where they currently work as long as their employer approves.

    The program allows for the completion of all required courses fully online with no scheduled meetings times required. The only requirement is to have access to a 3-star child care center where they work or have access to in order to complete fieldwork and practicum requirements.

  • What is an exciting aspect of this program?
    The Early Childhood Development program is an option for working professionals for whom the standard 100% in-person degree program does not work due to professional obligations.
  • What accreditations apply to this program?
    This program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
  • What are the job prospects with this degree?
    Job opportunities range from moving up in your current child care center, lead teacher positions, or even becoming the director of a child care center! A bachelor’s degree in early childhood also offers opportunities to be a lead teacher in Head Start programs or a teaching assistant in a public school setting. There are even options with the Department of Human Services!
  • Do students need to have a background in this field? What are the pre-requisites?

    An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in early childhood care from a Tennessee community college is required, and students will need to get a background check before their junior and senior year.

  • Are the courses for this program synchronous or asynchronous?

    All classes are asynchronous. However, students will need access to a 3-star child care center to complete their field hours and practicum course requirements.

  • Does this program require an internship or field work?

    Yes, this program requires field hours and has a 130-hour practicum course requirement. These hours are to be completed in a 3-star child care center.

  • Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

    Yes, this program was designed so that students do not have to leave their current jobs in child care. Students can enroll in a part-time (3 course minimum) or full-time program depending on their needs.

     

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?

    There are no limits for this cohort.

  • Does the college/department offer scholarships?

    Yes! Please visit the Clemmer College Scholarship Information page for more information. Additionally, ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. By submitting the Universal Scholarship Application, students can be considered for a variety of university scholarships. Learn more on their website.