Department Information
Department of Early Childhood Education
PO Box 70548
Phone: (423) 439-7688
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/coe/eced/
Dr. L. Kathryn Sharp, PreK-3 Program Coordinator
email: sharplk@etsu.edu
Phone: (423) 439-7608
The Department of Early Childhood Education in the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood development. The 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 Early Care and Education 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.
This program in Early Childhood is designed to meet the state competencies for licensure in PreK-3. It includes courses in early childhood development, a professional education component, and residency teaching experiences in PreK-3rd grade.
Graduate Study: The Department of Early Childhood Education 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. https://www.etsu.edu/gradstud/
Teacher Licensure Progression: Students wishing to pursue a course of study leading to an Early Childhood Education (PK-3) teacher licensure may declare the major at any time. When declared, the student is admitted into the teacher licensure program after they have met the 2.75 GPA and background check requirement. The teacher candidate then proceeds through the established program of study meeting the detailed progression requirements in order to proceed. Failure to meet the established progression requirements will prevent a student from moving forward toward completing the degree/licensure. Each student will be advised throughout their program of study by either an advisor in the Clemmer College of Education and Human Development Office of Student Services or a faculty advisor in the department of the major.
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.