Early Childhood Education (B.A.)

Southern New Hampshire University’s B.A. in early childhood education prepares students to teach young children.

Students gain a comprehensive understanding of child development, family systems, and curriculum and instruction for children from birth through age 8. The practitioner-oriented program provides a solid background in developmental theory and practice and a strong foundation in an academic discipline.

The program, which leads to teaching certification, culminates in a 16-week student teaching practicum. This valuable experience requires that potential educators work full-time with an established teacher. During this placement, the student teacher gradually takes on the role of the classroom teacher. Students apply to the student teaching program one year before their placement begins. All other fieldwork and course requirements must be complete prior to beginning the student teaching placement. Candidates for New Hampshire state teacher certification in elementary education must pass the Praxis II before applying to student teaching.

B.A./B.S Core

EDU 235 is used by the School of Education as a course
equivalent to IT 100 for all School of Education majors.
MAT 106 replaces MAT 130 in the B.A./B.S. Core for Early
Childhood Education majors.
MAT 206 replaces MAT 200 or MAT 245 in the B.A./B.S.
Core for Early Childhood Education majors.

Early Childhood Education Major Courses
DEV 424 Assessment/Intervention: Early Childhood
EDU 200 Introduction to Education
EDU 243 Learning Theory and Instruction
EDU 245 Lit for Children and Young Adolescents
EDU 270 Foundations of Teaching and Learning
EDU 330 Mathematics Instruction for Young Children
EDU 361 Emerging and Early Literacy:Grades K-4
EDU 363 Reading Facilitation for All Learners
EDU 371 Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment:K-4
EDU 440 Differentiating Instruction
EDU 490 Student Teaching and Seminar

Select one of the following:
DEV 260 Family and Culture
DEV 340 Theories of Play

Select one of the following:
SPED 210 Early Childhood Special Education
SPED 260 Children With Exceptionalities


Allied Courses
GEO 200 Wold Geography
HIS 114 United States History II: 1865 to Present
PSY 211 Human Growth and Development
SCI 212 Principles of Physical Science I

Content Area Concentration
Students with a major in early childhood education will have met the content area concentration in child development. Students wishing to complete an additional content area concentration should consult with their advisor.

Completion of 12 credits in an approved area of concentration
Fine Arts: select four FAS courses
Humanities: select four courses from the following disciplines: ENG, HIS, LIT, PHL
Mathematics: select four MAT courses
Science: select four SCI courses
Social Science: select four courses from the following disciplines: ECO, POL, PSY, SOC

General Special Education Certification
An early childhood student with a GPA of 3.3 or above may complete additional requirements to earn general special education certification. This certification benefits all classroom teachers by preparing them to meet the needs of special education populations in grade level and content-area classes. Teachers with dual certification are in very high demand throughout the region. General special education certification also qualifies teachers to work with special needs students at the K-12 levels.

DEV 230 Behavior Theory and Practice
EDU 314 IEP: Consultation & Collaboration
EDU 350 Special Education Assessment
EDU 491 Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar (6 credits)