Course Catalog 2024-2025

Early Childhood Studies (RCU Online Program), BS

The BS with Early Childhood Studies major is a degree completion program designed primarily for those wishing to begin or continue working in the early childhood field. Required observation hours are a component for several of the courses. For this major, a criminal background check is required before being accepted to the university. The early childhood studies program does NOT lead to any teacher certification.

Program Learning Outcomes:

 After completing this program, graduates will be proficient in:

  • Promoting child development and learning
  • Building family and community relationships
  • Observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families
  • Teaching and learning
  • Becoming a professional

 

Career Outcomes:

After completing this program, graduates will be eligible to be a:

  • Lead teacher in a Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP).
  • Lead teacher in a Head Start.
  • Lead teacher in any other private or public program serving children from birth to age five. 
  • Program administrator in an agency that advocates on behalf of children and families, or a supervisor of individuals with an associate's degree working in the same facility.
 

Requirements for the BS in Early Childhood Studies

General Education Core 38 hours

(The following general education requirements are covered in the major: Diversity. PSY 2013 is required to satisfy the Social and Behavioral Science gen ed.)

Early Childhood Studies Major 45 hours

ECS 3243Math and Science for Young Children

3

ECS 3303Legal Topics in Early Childhood Education

3

ECS 3323Assessment of the Young Child

3

ECS 3423Diversity Topics in Early Childhood

3

ECS 3433Creative Arts for Young Children

3

ECS 4303Family Education and Advocacy

3

ECS 4313Classroom Interactions

3

ECS 4443Emerging Language and Literacy

3

ECS 4613Young Children with Exceptionalities

3

ECS 4623Recognizing and Serving Children Facing Challenges

3

ECS 4653Leadership and Administration in Early Childhood

3

ECS 4943Ethics for Early Childhood (Capstone)

3

PSY 3193Infant/Toddler Development

3

PSY 3203Child Development

3

RDG 3313Children's Literature

3

Electives 37 hours

Total Credit Hours: 120