A career teaching young children is highly rewarding. By focusing on the early childhood education field, you’ll have a direct influence on the formative lives of young learners. Entry-level opportunities to enter this field are available to those with a two-year degree or less; however growth opportunities and earning potential expand as you advance your education, and an online bachelor’s degree is valuable for those who are passionate about a career focused on the early childhood education setting.
Credit Hours: 120 | Transfer: Up to 90 Credits | Tuition Cost
What is Early Childhood Education?
This program is designed for individuals seeking career options in early childhood care settings. Courses in this program prepare individuals to be qualified early childhood education and child care providers. This major offers a model curriculum which addresses standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The completion of this degree qualifies individuals for the Early Childhood credential through the New Hampshire Child Development Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services. This degree does not lead to public school teacher certification through the Department of Education.
Why study Early Childhood Education at UNH College of Professional Studies?
A career teaching young children is highly rewarding. By focusing on the early childhood education field, you’ll have a direct influence on the formative lives of young learners. Entry-level opportunities to enter this field are available to those with a two-year degree or less; however growth opportunities and earning potential expand as you advance your education, and a bachelor’s degree is valuable for those who are committed to growth in a career focused on early childhood education.
The UNH College of Professional Studies offers two bachelor’s degree options in Early Childhood Education:
- A pathway that leads to New Hampshire Department of Education certification in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.
- A non-certification pathway focused on Department of Health and Human Services credentialing coursework.
This program is available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont. See Availability in Your State for more details.
Potential Career Areas
- Lead Teacher, Child Care Center
- Child Care Center Director
- Childcare Worker
- Preschool Teacher
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Elementary School Teacher
- Teaching Assistant for Preschool, Elementary School, or Middle School
- Education and Childcare Administrator
- Child, Family, and School Social Worker
- Instructional Coordinator
- Lead Teacher, Child Care Center
- Child Care Center Director
About this Program
The UNH College of Professional Studies offers two bachelor’s degree options in Early Childhood Education:
- A pathway that leads to New Hampshire Department of Education certification in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.
- A non-certification pathway focused on Department of Health and Human Services credentialing coursework.
This program is available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. See for more details.
Early Childhood Education Options
CERTIFICATION
The Early Childhood certification will prepare individuals to teach children in public schools beginning at the nursery school level to Grade 3, and Early Childhood Special Education certification will prepare individuals to work with infants, toddlers, and children who are at risk of being identified as needing special education services or who are already identified as needing special education services.
This is a field-based program for qualified participants working or volunteering in an approved program or education setting. The key components of this program include mentorship of the teacher candidates with highly skilled professionals in the field, the hands-on experience of working with children in educational settings, and the opportunity to build your teaching capacity over time.
View the full course requirements:
NON-CERTIFICATION
This program is designed for individuals seeking career options in early childhood care settings. Courses in this program prepare individuals to be qualified early childhood education and child care providers. This major offers a model curriculum which addresses standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The completion of this degree qualifies individuals for the Early Childhood credential through the New Hampshire Child Development Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services.
This degree does not lead to public school teacher certification through the New Hampshire Department of Education.
Course Highlights
- Foundations of Early Childhood Education
- Child Development
- Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth-Age 8
…and more!
Why UNH CPS?
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).
- Available fully online with select on-campus courses.
- Affordable tuition.
- Nationally ranked online programs.
- About 89% of our students are transfer students. Making the most of your transfer credits is our specialty.
- Career advising is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
- We’re experts at assessing credit toward your undergraduate degree – not only from previous college coursework, but also for other college-level knowledge demonstrated outside the traditional classroom.
Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.
Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.
- Completion of our free, online application for admission
- High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC
Programs leading to teacher certification or licensure are available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine*, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
*Maine teacher candidates must complete clinical work in placements located in York, Cumberland or Oxford county.
Eligible individuals can apply for tuition assistance through the Early Childhood Tuition Assistance (ECTA) which is funded by the NH Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration! 100% of tuition is covered for up to two classes per term.
Eligible individuals include childcare workers, preschool teachers, and elementary school paraprofessionals.
Curriculum & Requirements
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.
Sample Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ·¡¶Ù°äÌý501 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| ±Ê³§³ÛÌý470 | Child Development | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| COMÌý460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| CRITÌý501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| EDCÌý502 | Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| MTHÌý402 or MTHÌý504 or MTHÌý510 | Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus | 4 |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMÌý480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| EDCÌý503 | Language and Literacy Development | 4 |
| EDCÌý504 | Health, Safety & Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| EDCÌý505 | Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý506 | Young Children with Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| EDCÌý507 | Early Childhood Program Administration | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CRITÌý602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| EDCÌý601 | Positive Behavior Guidance in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| PSYÌý480 | Infant and Toddler Development | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| EDCÌý602 | Learning and Early Childhood Environments | 4 |
| SOCIÌý675 | Child Abuse and Neglect | 4 |
| General Education Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| IDISÌý601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| EDCÌý712 | Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý713 | Family and Community Relations in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| EDCÌý797 | Practicum: Professionalism in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Ìý | Credits | 8 |
| Ìý | Total Credits | 120 |
Degree Requirements
General Education Program Requirements
A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.
All General Education requirements, including CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ·¡±·³ÒÌý420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COMÌý460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COMÌý480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRITÌý501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
MTHÌý402 | Math for Our World | |
MTHÌý504 | Statistics | |
MTHÌý510 | Pre-Calculus | |
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 4 | ||
| CRITÌý602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDISÌý601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Writing Program Requirements
All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
·¡±·³ÒÌý420 | The Writing Process | |
One Writing Intensive course in the Major | ||
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above | ||
One Additional Writing Intensive Course | ||
Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.
Major Requirements
Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRITÌý602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDISÌý601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Early Childhood Education | ||
| Foundational Courses | ||
| ±Ê³§³ÛÌý470 | Child Development | 4 |
| ·¡¶Ù°äÌý501 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý502 | Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý503 | Language and Literacy Development | 4 |
| EDCÌý504 | Health, Safety & Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| EDCÌý505 | Mathematics and Science in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý506 | Young Children with Exceptionalities in Early Childhood Settings | 4 |
| EDCÌý507 | Early Childhood Program Administration | 4 |
| Intermediate Courses | ||
| PSYÌý480 | Infant and Toddler Development | 4 |
| EDCÌý601 | Positive Behavior Guidance in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý602 | Learning and Early Childhood Environments | 4 |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| EDCÌý712 | Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| EDCÌý713 | Family and Community Relations in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| SOCIÌý675 | Child Abuse and Neglect | 4 |
| Integrative Capstone | ||
| EDCÌý797 | Practicum: Professionalism in Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Electives
Open electivesÌýare coursesÌýstudents will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order toÌýsatisfy the remaining credit totalsÌýfor their programs. Open electivesÌýareÌýdefinedÌýas any creditÌýcourseÌýoffered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor.ÌýStudents will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Division of the College of Professional Studies.
- Develop knowledge and skills in promoting child development with an understanding and application of developmentally appropriate practice.
- Develop knowledge and skills to develop, implement, and evaluate meaningful curriculum for all children.
- Develop knowledge and skills to communicate and collaborate with children, families, and professionals.
Your Prior and Current Learning Counts
Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.
iSocial and the Pyramid Model
UNH CPS is proud to support the and their iSocial State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG). The goal of this grant is to improve social-emotional outcomes of infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities (birth to age 5) through the implementation of the evidence-based Pyramid Model Framework.
Attend a Teacher Prep Info Session
We have online Information Sessions regularly scheduled, which give you valuable insights into our teacher certification options.
Career Outcomes
Talk with your advisor to discuss how your program, experience, and goals align.