Program Overview

Human Development and Family Science

Option: Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is designed to enhance and improve the development of children from birth through age 8 in academics and social behaviors. This is achieved by teaching infants through 3rd grade using best practices guided by child development milestones.

Why Early Childhood Education at OSU?

The program empowers teacher candidates to nurture the holistic development of children by cultivating meaningful relationships, providing play-based learning opportunities, and implementing developmentally appropriate practices. Faculty model innovative teaching strategies in the model classroom, and teacher candidates actively participate in diverse, embedded field experiences. This results in teacher candidates entering the workforce confident and ready to better the lives of students and families they work with.

Option Details

• Option: Early Childhood Education Courses, 4-year Plan
• Major: Human Development and Family Science
• Department: Human Development and Family Science
• College: Education and Human Sciences
• Available At: OSU Stillwater Campus

Degree Type

• Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science

Career Paths

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program can pursue various career paths, including:

• OK Certified Teacher PreK-3rd grade
• Early Childhood Specialist
• Early Care Educator
• Early Childhood Education Advocate
• Early Childhood Extension and Non-Profit Work

Highlights

Experiential Learning

The program offers practice in real-world educational techniques in an inclusive classroom setting within the on-site model teaching classroom and nationally accredited child development lab.

Field Experiences

• Cleo L. Craig Child Development Lab

Micro-credentials

Early childhood education students completing specific courses will earn the Science of Reading (SoR) micro-credential alongside their degree. This training enables them to utilize science-based literacy instruction in their classrooms.

Accelerated Master's Program

Students can earn both an early childhood education bachelor's and master's degrees in five years through the accelerated program.

Student Perspective

The ECE program at Oklahoma State has been transformative, with professors who genuinely care about the future of education. It's about building a community of passionate educators who support one another.

College of Education and Human Sciences

The college offers student support and scholarships to facilitate academic success.

Explore Related Programs

The university provides various education majors and programs for students to explore.