Early Care and Early Childhood Studies, Bachelor of Science
Program Overview
To prepare highly skilled professionals to assume roles and positions in teaching, research, educational leadership, and human development to contribute to the educational achievement of all young children ages birth - 8 years in early childhood settings.
Admission requirements for this program beyond university admission requirements.
- Students must complete an application with the Department of Human Development and School Services and a criminal background check.
Progression requirements for this program.
- A GPA of 2.5 is required for progression.
Specific graduation requirements for this program beyond university bachelor’s degree requirements.
- An overall GPA of 2.5 is required for graduation.
Core Curriculum - 42 hours
The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.
The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.
Major Requirements - 45 hours
Required Courses - 30 hours
| ECED 3307 | Knowledge & Skills of Preschool Teachers: Profession, Standard, & Ethics | 3 |
| ECED 3310 | Quality Programs for Infants & Toddlers | 3 |
| ECED 4312 | Administration of Child Development Centers | 3 |
| ECED 4314 | Dynamics of Play and Play Environments in Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 4315 | Linguistically-Diverse Early Childhood Students | 3 |
| ECED 4391 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECED 4392 | Guidance of Young Children | 3 |
| ECED 4394 | Principles of Curriculum Design in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 4395 | Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math for Young Children | 3 |
| ECED 4380 | Field Experience Childhood Settings | 3 |
Early Care and Early Childhood Studies Specialization - 15 hours
| SPED 3390 | Introduction to Exceptional Children | 3 |
| SPED 4310 | Inclusion and Differentiated Instruction in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 4395 | Special Education Practicum in Behavior Techniques | 3 |
| EDCI 3331 | Human Development and Student Learning | 3 |
| Or | |
| EPSY 3331 | Human Development and Student Learning | 3 |
| EPSY 3332 | Working with Families | 3 |
Free Electives - 33 hours
Students should consult with their faculty advisor for free elective options.
Total Credit Hours: 42
Total Credit Hours: 120
View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.
UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.
Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.