Bachelors Degree in Education: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development

Early childhood is a time of constant discovery, learning, and growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the long-term national job growth for the child care workers is expected to be 20 percent through 2020.* Professionals trained to work with young children may find opportunities in day care centers, after-school programs, and other childcare settings.^†

Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development program could help you pursue and build a rewarding career in this growing field. Our nonlicensure program adheres to the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) standards, and is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in child growth and development, ethics, health and nutrition, lesson planning, and much more.

| Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development could help you advance your career in the field^†or prepare for graduate studies.^‡

The curriculum emphasizes:

Planning, developing, and implementing family and community-building strategies
Evaluating observation and assessment techniques to inform instructional planning for children and families
Creating effective learning environments for young children
Demonstrating sound professional standards and ethical values
Understanding the importance of individuality and cultural diversity

Who Should Take This Program?

This program is designed for individuals who are interested in working with children or advancing their career in the early childhood field.

What Are the Career Opportunities?

Graduates could pursue employment in early childhood programs, childcare centers, pre-kindergarten or kindergarten programs, Head Start programs, and other before- and after-school care settings.^§

Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development

Course #	Course Title	Credits
100/200-level	100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
	100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE	5 100/200-LEVEL: MATHEMATICS COURSE
	200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE	5 200-LEVEL: COMMUNICATION COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: ARTS AND HUMANITIES COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: PHYSICAL SCIENCE COURSE
300/400-level	300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE	6 300/400-LEVEL: SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSE

Course #	Course Title	Credits
	OPEN ELECTIVES	54 OPEN ELECTIVES

Total Program Requirements	180 Total Program Requirements

Core
Major
Open Electives
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

Our undergraduate degree programs feature large pools of open electives designed to offer greater flexibility when applying transfer credits toward program requirements. In addition, you can enroll in our portfolio development course, which helps you document your work and life experience in a portfolio you can submit for consideration for college credits. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for undergraduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$371.00
Total program requirements Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development	180
Total cost of tuition	$66,780.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Childcare Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm.(Accessed April, 2012) National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
^†Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.
^‡While many of Kaplan University's degree programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued bachelor-, graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any programs.
^#The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development is not represented as meeting specific state Board of Education criteria for assisting with children and teachers in a public school setting. Students are encouraged to check with their local school district on specific college education requirements needed in these fields. This program will not certify graduates to become licensed teachers.

Course #	Course Title	Credits
CE 100	PREPARING FOR A CAREER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION	5 PREPARING FOR A CAREER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Early childhood professionals establish an environment for the early learning success of the children they serve. This course provides the opportunity for the early childhood development student to prepare for success in the Kaplan University classroom environment. Topics addressed include roles, responsibilities, and various career opportunities within the field, professional standards, personal management tools, strategies, and university resources. Additionally, students will preview the portfolio project that will be developed in the final capstone course in the program.
CE 101	INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION	5 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION This course will present an overview of the field of early childhood development. Students will learn the foundations necessary to provide safe, healthy, high-quality care for young children. An emphasis will be placed on governing standards and regulations, historical perspectives, and current trends. This course will also focus on what it means to be an early childhood professional and will assist students in developing effective professional practices in the field.
CE 114	EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT	5 EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT This course surveys the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children from birth through age eight. In order to provide developmentally appropriate care giving, nurturing, and instruction for the most important developmental years in life, topics will include: attachment issues, developmental milestones, and developmentally appropriate strategies. Using their understanding of how young children develop, students will discuss issues in early childhood care, safety and health concerns, guidance techniques, and behavioral expectations.
CE 215	EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM PLANNING	5 EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM PLANNING In this course, students will study teaching methods for educational settings that serve young children. Attention will be given to developmental domains, strategies for planning, organizing the learning environment, facilitating teacher-child interactions, guiding children’s behavior, conducting lessons, assessing, care giving, supporting play, and addressing standards through integrated and emergent curriculum.
CE 220	CHILD SAFETY, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH	5 CHILD SAFETY, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH The course is designed to help students advance their knowledge of the factors that affect the health, nutrition, and safety of the young child. Students will be able to identify common childhood illnesses and their causes, discuss the nutritional needs of healthy young children with those of children who have allergies or chronic disease conditions, discuss healthy menus using current information, and explain the basics of adequate nutrition to children and caregivers. Students also will identify safe indoor and outdoor learning activities and suggest ways to create environments that maximize safety.
CE 230	CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN	5 CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN This course is designed to help early childhood care professionals provide creative, developmentally appropriate practices in a child care environment. Participants will examine materials and activities that will help foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, with an emphasis on activities that encourage independence, exploration, risk-taking, and opportunities to think and act creatively.
CE 240	YOUNG CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS	5 YOUNG CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS This course is designed to help future early childhood care professionals become effective caregivers and advocates for young children with special needs and their families by learning how to apply strategies to address learning differences. Students will explore some of the more common learning differences and disabilities currently encountered in the inclusive classroom. They will explain the value of early identification of special needs and the importance of intervening early, in accordance with relevant federal legislation. Students also will demonstrate how to communicate and collaborate with families in real-world situations for the benefit of the child with special needs.
CM 206	INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS	5 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS This course introduces students to the principles of interpersonal communication and emphasizes how to be a more effective communicator in professional and personal situations. Emphasis is on interpersonal communication in varying contexts, focusing on professional communication as well as personal, social, and cultural dimensions. Topics include the communication process, the influence of perception on communication, verbal and nonverbal elements of interaction, listening, the communication of emotions, conflict management, and effective communication strategies.
CE 300	OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD	6 OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD This course prepares students to use the various methods of assessment and observation, including standardized and authentic assessment strategies, as a way to assess children’s growth and the development of knowledge and skills. Students will apply assessment strategies through virtual field experiences and case studies to identify developmental levels, interests, and abilities, and interpret the data collected.
CE 310	CHILDREN’S LITERACY	6 CHILDREN’S LITERACY This course focuses on how children’s literature experiences contribute to children’s literacy skills. Students will be introduced to a balanced reading framework: shared, modeled, guided, and some independent reading and writing strategies. Reading fluency and comprehension strategies will be emphasized. How to apply assessment strategies, including running reading records, anecdotal records of reading progress, and pre-emergent and emergent literacy scales, will be introduced.
CE 320	LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN THE YOUNG CHILD	6 LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN THE YOUNG CHILD This course focuses on language acquisition, development, and communication skills. Students will participate in and use virtual field observations and readings to learn about theories of and influences on how young children acquire and develop language. Students will be presented with an overview of the stages of oral language development and will discuss current thinking with regard to bilingualism.
CE 330	TEACHING ACROSS CONTENT—MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIOLOGY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN	6 TEACHING ACROSS CONTENT—MATH, SCIENCE, AND SOCIOLOGY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN This course examines the teaching skills of inquiry and discovery-based learning in math and science for young children. Using current theories of development, students develop a working knowledge of methods and materials, scope and sequence of concepts through age eight, related curriculum standards, and assessment strategies. The mathematical concepts of numbers, geometry, problem solving, patterns, parts and wholes, measurement, and graphing will be examined. The processes of science will be explored. Students apply sociology concepts as they relate to children within the classroom and the community at large. Students will also learn how to incorporate goals, objectives, and processes into integrated curriculum.
CE 410	TEACHING ART AND MUSIC IN EARLY CHILDHOOD	6 TEACHING ART AND MUSIC IN EARLY CHILDHOOD This course will examine the foundations and theories of the creative arts with young children. Students will learn how to encourage imagination, flexible thinking, problem solving, and creative movement in order to formulate connections with the processes that children employ in their creative expression. Students will use course knowledge to plan developmentally appropriate creative activities for children.
CE 420	CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT	6 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT This course compares the history, theories, research, and contemporary influences of curriculum development in early childhood education. Developmentally appropriate early childhood lesson plans and activities will be analyzed and developed.
CE 430	LEARNING THROUGH PLAY IN THE INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM	6 LEARNING THROUGH PLAY IN THE INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM This course further examines the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, and others to demonstrate how children learn through play and the effect play has on all the developmental domains. Students will learn how to incorporate necessary skill development and assistive technology into play while addressing the individual needs of all children in the classroom.
CE 499	BACHELOR’S CAPSTONE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT	6 BACHELOR’S CAPSTONE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT This final course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply their learning in a comprehensive manner. Students will reflect on the courses taken and develop an understanding of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards, developmentally appropriate practices based upon child development research, curriculum, and professionalism. This course will culminate with a comprehensive professional portfolio that integrates the learning throughout the program.
Choose one of the following:
PS 124	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY	5 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY This course provides a broad introduction to the field of psychology, one of the social sciences. Students will be introduced to a range of topics that offer insight into human thought and actions, including what motivate us to study human behavior, ethical decisions, problem solving, and theories on memory, learning, intelligence, and personality. This course will highlight the use of critical thinking and the application of the concepts. In addition, it will draw on practical psychological concepts related to students' personal and professional relationships.
SS 144	SOCIOLOGY	5 SOCIOLOGY This course is designed to introduce students to sociology, the scientific study of societies and groups, as well as the social context of human behavior. Students will examine core sociological concepts and research strategies, along with topics such as socialization, crime and deviance, social class, and the stratification of wealth, race, gender, and age in a global context. Other areas of study include family, religion, education, economy, health care, and government. By the end of this class, students will have a solid understanding of how their own lives are shaped by the larger society around them and the influence society has on people's attitudes and behaviors.

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development

College of Arts and Sciences