Program Overview
Early Childhood Education, BAE
The Bachelor of Arts in Education program in early childhood education prepares students to meet the educational, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of children, ages birth to age 8 or grade 3. This program focuses on child development and best practices in early childhood education, including the skills to create inclusive learning environments; conduct instructional design, planning, and facilitation; and assess, monitor, and report the progress of young children.
Program Description
Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College has developed a team-based approach to teacher preparation, allowing students to participate in professional experiences (internships and student teaching) with a team of peers while receiving guidance and support from ASU faculty members and highly qualified certified teachers. Team-based professional experiences are designed to prepare students to work with mutually supportive colleagues to address the academic and social-emotional needs of learners. Clinically embedded courses and professional experiences provide students with multiple opportunities to apply knowledge learned in coursework to practice in the classroom.
At a Glance
- College/school: Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation
- Location: Tempe, ASU Sync
- Second language requirement: No
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
- First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
- Math intensity: General
Curriculum
View 2025 - 2026 curriculum. View curriculum archives.
Concurrent Program Options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission Requirements
- General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
- First-year
- Transfer
- International
- Readmission
- Additional requirements: The ASU Sync option is available only to transfer students residing in Arizona because of state regulations and student teaching placement requirements. Students should have completed an associate degree by the time they are enrolled at ASU. Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not allowed to complete courses via Sync.
Tuition Information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Change of Major Requirements
A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors. Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
Transfer Options
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
Global Opportunities
- Global experience: Because of climate change, geopolitical instability, or economic factors, the United Nations and other institutions predict that migration is expected to increase globally for the foreseeable future. Learners will migrate to new communities. Increasingly, educators will be asked to meet the needs of students who speak languages other than English and who bring a variety of cultures into classrooms and learning environments. Education students participating in study abroad programs can prepare for this reality by engaging in Global Education programs, where they can expand their notion of normal schooling and deepen their understanding of how to foster inclusive and inspiring learning environments.
Career Opportunities
There is a strong demand for early childhood educators in Arizona and nationwide. Many graduates with a degree in early childhood education hold leadership positions in Head Start, private nonprofit and private for-profit center-based programs, and public school early childhood environments.
- Career | Growth | Median salary
- College Program Director | 1.7% | $103,960
- Employee Training Manager | 5.8% | $127,090
- Instructional Specialist | 1.3% | $74,720
- Kindergarten Teacher | -1.6% | $61,430
- Preschool Director | -2.5% | $56,270
- Preschool Teacher | 4.1% | $37,120
Professional Licensure
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
Format Option
This program is also offered via ASU Sync. ASU Sync enables students to attend live classes remotely via Zoom. Classes are designed to foster active collaboration and discussion in real-time with faculty and peers. ASU Sync students must reside in Arizona throughout the duration of the program. Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via Sync and should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program.
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
Concurrent Programs
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Joint Programs
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
New Programs
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
Online Programs
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. Students from western states who select this major may be eligible for a reduced nonresident tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition plus all applicable fees.