The Education Deparmtment offers an online bachelor’s degree completion in Early Childhood Development (ECD). This ECD degree is designed for working adults who prefer the flexibility of an online program and have completed approximately two years of college coursework. Most lower-division general education, early childhood education courses are not offered online through SOU and must be taken on campus or at local community colleges. To help facilitate transfer of students into this online ECD degree, SOU works with community colleges to identify appropriate lower division early childhood prerequisite and general education courses essential to the major. The program offers upper-division coursework needed for a bachelor’s degree in ECD.
Students who complete the coursework in ECD may choose to work in the early childhood profession and/or to apply to the Master in Education program for continued graduate-level study. Those wishing to teach elementary levels in public schools may apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at SOU to achieve a teaching license. For students who are going to apply for the MAT program, it is recommended that they include the MAT prerequisite classes in their general education program (see the MAT program prerequisite list).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of a BA/BS in Early Childhood Development, graduates will be able to:
- Communicate effectively in written and oral work that reflects knowledge of the discipline and professional behavior.
- Access and evaluate information resources to become critical thinkers of developmentally effective practices in early childhood education.
- Engage in the community through service projects and fieldwork in early childhood, schools, and other community settings.
- Examine personal attitudes, values and beliefs, and develop leadership skills and professionalism to apply in diverse settings.
