Early Childhood Education

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The early-childhood preparation program encompasses three major program components: professional content, field experience and process seminars. Because all program components are integrated, students concurrently enroll in them at each level. Students generally complete the program in four semesters. Because the program is competency based, however, students occasionally proceed through the sequence at different rates.

The program consists of 41 credits distributed as follows:

Early-Childhood Requirements

In fulfilling UMBC’s General Education Program (GEP), early-childhood students are advised to meet early-childhood requirements simultaneously. The requirements are:

Fine Arts/Literature (6 credits)

Courses in art, dance, music, film/video, theatre or literature, with the stipulation that no more than three credits be in literature.

Social Studies (6 credits)

Courses in the general areas of contemporary world culture and American culture. (Consult advisor in education department for recommended courses.)

Psychology (6 credits)

PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology (4.00)
and
PSYC 200 - Child Developmental Psychology (3.00) or
A course in child psychology, or child development, or developmental psychology

Mathematics (8 credits)

MATH 131 and MATH 132 or program approved substitutions are required.

MATH 131 - Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I (4.00)
and
MATH 132 - Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II (4.00) or
Program approved substitutions are required

Science (8 credits)

SCI 100 or equivalent environmental course and one additional science with lab.