Clemmer College of Education
Department of Teaching and Learning
Early Childhood Development Program Information
Program Coordinator: Dr. Rosemary Geiken
email: geiken@etsu.edu
Phone: (423) 439-7567
The Department of Teaching and Learning in the Clemmer College of Education offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood development. The licensure program is designed to provide academic preparation in the growth and development of young children (0-8), their families, and environmental factors influencing their development and leads to PreK-3 teaching license. The non-licensure program prepares candidates to work in the field of early childhood education not requiring a license (e.g., childcare, community settings/agencies.) In addition, the early childhood education program offers a minor in early childhood education and opportunity for adding an early childhood endorsement (PreK-3) to existing education licenses.
Graduate Study – The Department of Teaching and Learning offers a graduate program leading to a master’s degree in early childhood education with three concentrations (Initial Licensure, Master Teacher, Researcher). In addition, a Ph.D. in early childhood education is offered beyond the master’s degree. Also available are two online graduate programs, a Master’s Certificate in Emergent Inquiry and M.A. degree , Master Teacher. Further information on this program may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies.
Early Childhood Development Major
This is an interdisciplinary degree that combines the early childhood offerings in Teaching and Learning 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.
General Program Information
To earn a degree from ETSU, there are specific course requirements put forth by ETSU, by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), by each college, and by each department. All students must meet the degree requirements at each of these levels. Please follow the format below:
University-level Degree and Graduation Requirements
Total Credit Hours for Degree: 120
TBR General Education Requirements: 41 - 42 Credit Hours
Below you will see the categories and courses specified under TBR General Education Requirements. Note that certain courses are required for this degree, specific to this major. Thus, these courses will satisfy both a TBR General Education requirement AND a requirement of this major. (Other majors may require different General Education courses.) Where specific courses are required for this major, we only list those courses under the category. If there are no specific major requirements for a category, all course options appear.
Communication
9 credits, consisting of 6 credits of written composition and 3 credits of oral communication.
Written Composition
Complete both of the following:
Oral Communication
Complete one of the following:
Humanities and Fine Arts
9 credits, consisting of 3 credits of literature, 3 credits of fine arts, and 3 credits of humanities electives.
Literature
Complete one of the following:
Fine Arts
Complete one of the following:
Humanities Electives
Complete one of the following:
Social and Behavioral Sciences
6 credits, consisting of two of the following:
History
6 credits, consisting of both of the following:
Natural Sciences
8 credits, consisting of two of the following (some require labs which are listed directly after the lecture):
(Note: Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences must select 8 credit hours in a SINGLE laboratory science. Please see listing in College of Arts and Sciences B.S. Degree Requirements for options.)
Mathematics
3 - 4 credits, consisting of one of the following:
Early Childhood Development Major Requirements: 27 Credit Hours
Early Childhood Development Concentration: 24 Credit Hours
Electives: 0-10 Credit Hours
Minor Requirements: 18-24 Credit Hours
A student majoring in this Early Childhood Development non-licensure program must select a minor in another area and meet the requirements of that specific program. A minor may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Art
- Business
- Family Studies
- Leadership Studies
- Music
- Physical Education
- Professional Studies
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Work
- Special Education
Additional Information
Transfer Students: Transfer students should apply for admission into the program and meet with an early childhood development advisor to plan their program. These students must meet the requirements of the university regarding transfer and program admission.
Click here to view the Early Childhood Development Major Suggested Course Sequence