B.S. Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Teaching

 
The B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Teaching prepares undergraduate students for roles as teachers and daycare providers of infants, toddlers, and young children in schools and community daycare/preschool settings. The program focuses on providing students with a solid foundation in child development, educational psychology and the role of the family and society in education.

The PK-3 concentration emphasizes working with young learners in inclusive settings and the value of play in early childhood instructional environments. Students will develop skills to advocate for equitable learning opportunities for all children.

Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to teach in diverse classroom settings through purposefully integrated fieldwork and internship experiences.

Program Highlights

• Mentoring opportunities through alumni connections and experienced faculty
• Students in this program are guaranteed practicum and/or internship experience with PK-K students
• Focus on early literacy assessment and pedagogy
• Incorporated approaches rooted in play-based learning theory
• Eligible for license to teach PK-3rd grade in Virginia upon successful completion of program
• Fulfill mission to mold critically reflective practitioners through:
  • Subject matter knowledge
  • Pedagogical knowledge
  • Data-driven knowledge
  • Knowledge about how people learn
  • Knowledge of differing cultures
  • Knowledge of social context of schooling

Practical Experience

• Experiential Learning in each semester throughout all four years of study
• Threepracticum experiences:
  • Language Arts
  • Social Studies/Science/Math
  • Literacy Assessment and Remediation
• Full semester of clinical internship (culminating experience) in two locations:
  • One placement, PK-K
  • One placement, 1st-3rd grade

The program focuses on providing students with a solid foundation in child development, educational psychology and the role of the family and society in education. The program prepares graduates to be reflective educators who demonstrate an in-depth understanding of science, social studies, mathematics and literacy pedagogy and content. We understand the importance of making significant investments in the first 5 years of a child's life when 90% of brain development occurs. It is the architecture on which all future learning is built. It is clear that access to quality early learning programs provides a launch pad to success in school and beyond.

The PK-3 concentration emphasizes working with young learners in inclusive settings and the value of play in early childhood instructional environments. Students will develop skills to advocate for equitable learning opportunities for all children.

VCU BULLETIN INFO

• B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education and Teaching

PROGRAM BASICS

How to apply: Choose your application type (transfer, freshman, or international)
Semester of entry: Fall, spring
Application deadlines for transfers: Fall, Mar. 15 (preferred); spring, Nov. 1. Rolling admissions all year for all terms.
Application deadlines for freshmen: Fall, Nov. 1 (scholarship consideration), Jan. 18 (regular decision - deadline extended); spring, Nov. 1.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Freshman requirements
• Transfer requirements
• International students
• Common application (freshmen)/VCU application (transfer applicants)​​

FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO

• Future Teacher Program Guide - Early Childhood and Elementary [PDF]
• Licensure to program comparison chart

FINANCIAL AID

• VCU Financial Aid Website
• VCU Financial Aid Contact Page
• SOE Scholarships