Early Childhood Development & Education, B.S. Birth Through Kindergarten Teacher Licensure Concentration

The Early Childhood Development and Education undergraduate program at UNC Greensboro prepares students to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners with and without disabilities and their families. Students will have the option to focus on young children’s development in their diverse cultural, school, and family contexts.

This degree prepares students to teach in public kindergarten, NC Pre-K, and Head Start classrooms. Upon completion, students will be eligible for NC licensure. It provides coursework and field experiences in settings for young children with and without disabilities.

Program Distinctions

• UNCG’s on-campus child care program provides a lab setting for you to gain hands-on experience working with young children in an educational setting.
• HDFS is ranked #1 Best Human Development and Family Studies college in North Carolina in 2021 by Universities.com, and #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Programs by BestColleges.com.
• Faculty are renowned experts in early childhood development, care, and education.
• HDFS operates a variety of research and educational centers, including the Child & Family Research Network; Child Care Education Program; North Carolina Rated License Assessment Project; Early Childhood Leadership & Policy Network; Triad Child Study; and the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families.

The Student Experience

• Required field placements in an inclusive early childhood setting/classroom offer applied experience.
• 120 semester hours are required for graduation, including at least 36 hours at or above the 300 course level.
• Many graduates pursue graduate degrees in HDFS or related fields.
• Students can also gain research experience by working with faculty on a variety of projects related to young children and their families.
• Experienced and committed faculty teach, advise, and mentor students in this innovative, interdisciplinary program.

After Graduation

• Students in this major can work directly with children as: NC Pre-K teachers (BK licensure required); kindergarten teachers in public schools (BK licensure required); teachers in community early education programs working with infants, toddlers, or preschool-age children, including Head Start; teachers in specialized educational programs providing instruction and supports that are designed to meet the unique needs and abilities of children; assistant teachers in all of these settings.
• Work with and for families in: Smart Start & North Carolina Partnership for Children, or as parents as teachers, family liaisons, parent referral counselors, and family and community resource professionals.
• Work to support early education professionals as: Directors or coordinators in early education programs; training coordinators; resource center specialists; quality enhancement specialists who provide coaching to early childhood teachers; school-age specialists who are professional development specialists or trainers that help teachers and administrators develop, plan, and achieve continuous learning goals; behavior specialists that specialize in understanding and treating behavioral issues in children; or infant/toddler specialists who develop, coordinate, and support high quality programs to promote early development and learning.

Online Program

• Online students must transfer to UNCG with successful completion of an AAS degree in early childhood from a North Carolina community college. See the Articulation Agreement.
• Students transferring to UNCG with their AAS degrees are 2+ students. Remember this when filling out forms. Learn about the 2+ program.
• Admission into this program is for fall and spring semesters only. Application deadlines are July 15 (for fall semester) and Dec. 1 (for spring semester). Students must accept their admissions offers by July 21 (for fall semester admissions) and Dec. 21 (for spring semester admissions).
• 120 semester hours are required for graduation, including at least 36 hours at or above the 300 course level.
• Online courses are both asynchronous (with no set meeting time) and synchronous (conducted live via computer webcam).
• Required field placements and a teaching internship in an inclusive early childhood setting/classroom offers students applied experience.
• Given the nature of the program, students are required to have regular access to a computer with internet access, a webcam, and a computer microphone and headset.