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

Early Childhood Education Major Courses
DEV 150 History and Philosophy of the Child Study Movement
DEV 200 Developmental Research Methods
DEV 210 Psychosocial Development During Early Childhood
DEV 241 Cognitive Development of Infants and Young Children
DEV 260 Family and Culture
DEV 303 Administration of Child Development Programs
DEV 320 Precursors of Academic Skills
DEV 340 Theories of Play
DEV 400 Independent Study
DEV 424 Assessment/Intervention: Early Childhood
DEV 499 Internship Credits
EDU 235 Learning with Technology
EDU 305 Science and Cognition
EDU 330 Mathematics Instruction for Young Children
EDU 361 Emerging and Early Literacy: Developing Reading and Writing in Grades K-4
EDU 363 Reading Facilitation for All Learners
EDU 490 Student Teaching and Seminar (12 credits)
SPED 210 Early Childhood Special Education
DEV/EDU Three development or education elective (choose with advisor)

Allied Courses
SCI 211 Survey of the Biological Sciences
SCI 212 Principles of Physical Science I
Select one of the following:
HIS 113 United States History I: 1607 to 1865
HIS 114 United States History II: 1865 to Present

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.

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 gradelevel 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)