Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program prepares undergraduates  to teach and support young children from birth through second grade in a variety of settings, including early elementary classrooms, public preschools, child development centers and community-based programs. Successful completion of the coursework and related requirements earns a Bachelor of Science in Education.

What's Special about Particular Training for Teaching This Age Group?

Training high-quality teachers for the early childhood years is vital because of the impact early learning has on the years that follow. Students will come out of the program fully prepared to teach across the age range. They will have a really strong understanding of working with families and very young children, and knowledge of the developmental roots needed to be a fully effective early childhood teacher.

What's Included in the Early Childhood Education Major?

The curriculum offers rigorous coursework in curriculum and instruction, child development, family engagement, play-based learning, and inclusive practices. Field experiences are embedded throughout the program, connecting theory to practice at the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center and in public Pre-K through second grade classrooms. Graduates are equipped for initial licensure in both Birth-Kindergarten/Early Childhood Special Education Integrated and Preschool-Second Grade and are also prepared for careers in early childhood program leadership, advocacy, and care.

Admission to the Early Childhood Education Licensure B.S.E. is competitive; simply meeting the minimum admission requirements will not guarantee admission. The Catalog of Studies summarizes the plan.

For more information, contact:
Laura Herold, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Early Childhood Education
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
University of Arkansas
 lkherold@uark.edu
479-575-5162

The degree program formerly was known as Birth through Kindergarten, based in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. The Oct. 12, 2026, article "Early Childhood Education Program Joins College of Education and Health Professions" details the transition and intent.