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Online Bachelor of Science in Education With a Concentration in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth to Age 5)

Program Highlights

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Teacher with little kids in classroom

Program Highlights

120 credit hours |  *In-state tuition: $380.51/credit hour | *Out-of-state tuition: $486.11/credit hour

*Tuition is based on 2022-2023 rates and is subject to change.

  • Unique undergraduate program with a specific focus on culturally and linguistically sustaining methods for teaching children birth to age 5
  • The entire program can be completed FULLY ONLINE, either all at UTEP or with combined coursework from El Paso Community College (EPCC) and UTEP
  • Complete transfer partnership with EPCC which is approved for the TAEYC T.E.A.C.H. scholarship at both EPCC and UTEP; scholarship covers 90% of tuition and books at both institutions plus additional academic and financial support
  • Award-winning faculty who are ready to help you acquire the knowledge and skills needed to optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through developmentally and culturally appropriate practices

PROGRAM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Make a Difference, One Child at a Time

Our Early Childhood Care and Education bachelor’s degree will provide you with the skills you need to optimally nurture young learners in a variety of early education settings including Head Start programs, childcare centers, and community and child welfare programs. As a graduate of this program, you will be able to earn more and advance in your chosen profession; typical positions held by our graduates include:

  • Early Childhood Lead Teacher
  • Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator/Administrator
  • Childcare Owner

This program does not provide licensure.

Unique Scholarship Opportunities

Thanks to a unique transfer partnership with El Paso Community College (EPCC), students who complete an associate degree at EPCC (an Associate of Arts in Teacher Preparation is recommended) will start at UTEP as full juniors. Additionally, both EPCC and UTEP are approved for the TAEYC T.E.A.C.H. scholarship (see https://texasaeyc.org/program-resources/t-e-a-c-h/); students in either institution who are currently working more than 30 hours at any Texas licensed childcare center (including Head Start and family daycare), may be eligible for this scholarship. Students awarded this scholarship will receive funds to cover 90% of tuition, books and other educational expenses, as well as additional financial and academic support. This means, in theory, a working student could have their entire four years of study (at EPCC and UTEP) completely covered.

Course Overview

The 120-credit online B.S. in Early Childhood Care and Education program requires you to complete 42 credit hours of a core curriculum, 45 credit hours of required college courses and 33 electives. All required College of Education coursework requires a combined minimum grade point of 3.0. A total cumulative grade point of 2.75 or higher is required for this degree program. 

College of Education Required Courses

Examine professional and ethical codes of conduct in the field of Early Childhood Education. Focus on the components of developmentally appropriate and culturally sustaining programming for young children, as well as the roles and responsibilities of caregivers and educators in these settings. Explore legislation and public policy related to the education of young children, analyze various Early Childhood programs according to state and national standards, and articulate your emerging identity as an early childhood education professional.

Focus on the theories, methods and materials of early care and education for infants (children birth to eighteen months) in diverse educational settings. Explore the following topics in depth: social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of infants; basic principles of infant care giving, including providing culturally sensitive and consistent care; arrangement of the environment and developmentally appropriate experiences to promote infant growth and learning; and establishing respectful and responsive partnerships with families. Prereq: ECED 2300 with C or better; field-based experience.

Focus on the theories, methods and materials of early care and education for toddlers (children eighteen to thirty-six months) in diverse educational settings. Explore the following topics in depth: social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of toddlers; basic principles of toddler care giving, including providing culturally sensitive and consistent care; arrangement of the environment and developmentally appropriate experiences to promote toddler growth and learning; and establishing respectful and responsive partnership with families. Prereq: ECED 2300 with C or better; field-based experience.

Learn about the observation and assessment of young children. Examine: 1) the appropriate use of assessment and observation strategies to document the development, growth, play and learning of young children, and 2) how authentic assessment methods can be used to tailor learning experiences to capitalize on children's personal and cultural strengths and interests, and to meet their differentiated needs. Explore recording strategies, rating systems, child portfolios, and various assessment tools. This course includes 30 hours of fieldwork. Prereq: ECED 2300 with C or better; field-based experience.

Examine the design, implementation and evaluation of activities and environments for young children to encourage learning related to STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics] in diverse bilingual contexts. Learn how environmental interactions, socio-cultural relationships, STEM process, skills/practices and artistic expression interact to form the basis of early problem solving, critical and creative thinking, and study STEAM conceptual development in young children. Prereq: ECED 2300 with C or better.

Examine the psychological and psychosocial bases of early childhood as they relate to educational practice with young children, birth to age 8. Focus on young children's physical, cognitive, communicative, social and emotional development -- both as contributors to, and as consequences of, early learning experiences. Examine early learning in relation to biological factors, child and family factors, program/ schooling factors and social factors, particularly in diverse bilingual education settings. Prereq: ECED 2300 with C or better.

Undertake a comprehensive exploration of the historical, philosophical, sociological, and political bases for the care and education of young children. Study historical and contemporary approaches to early childhood education; multicultural and social ecological factors in early care and schooling, particularly for diverse bilingual settings; advocacy and current issues in early childhood education practice. Prereq: ECED 2300 with C or better.

Prepare to integrate the Arts (visual arts, creative writing, music, theatre and dance) across the early childhood/elementary curriculum. Learn about art content; theories, methods and materials of instruction; lesson planning and classroom management techniques for Arts-based teaching, with a particular emphasis on engaging diverse students in personally and culturally meaningful self-expression. Explore developmentally appropriate practices that nurture artistic development and experience the creative process through hands-on study of the Arts. Prereq: Junior/Senior; field-based experience.

Study the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education, including the definitions and characteristics of disabilities as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Examine professional roles and responsibilities, ethical requirements, inclusive practices, and strategies for collaboration between general and special educators, family members, and related service providers. This course requires at least 15 documented field-based experience hours in public-school settings.

Get an overview of the integrated aspects of literacy, with an emphasis of foundational concepts, principles, and practices related to literacy development. Study the linguistic underpinnings of emergent literacy, as well as evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction. Special emphasis is placed on literacy with emergent bilingual students (English Language Learners). Prereq: CORE complete.

Study the development of advocacy within families and community as a means of participation in the educational process of their children with particular emphasis on parents of children in Bilingual/ESL education programs. Emphasis is on appreciation of cultural diversity and alternative ways of knowing among family and community. Restricted to majors of ED87 and IDST. Restricted to Class of SO, JR, and SR. Prereq: at least Sophomore.

Focus on the theory and practice of bilingual/dual language and English as a second language (ESL) education. Examine concepts of language and language instruction, identification of programs models in bilingual/ESL Education (including their historical, legislative, and philosophical foundations) and strategies for teaching language and content. An additional emphasis is on the implementation of dual language education with U.S.- Mexico border elementary student populations. Prereq: CORE complete.

Learn about the knowledge, skills and abilities young children develop for oral language use, emergent reading and emergent writing. Study current research and educational practices; the role of sociocultural influences and children's literature; and the components of literacy-rich classrooms will be analyzed in relation to theoretical views of early literacy development. Explore developmentally appropriate practices that nurture the early language and literacy development of diverse learners through the selection and development of curricula for early elementary grades. Prereq: RED 3315; BED 4340; field-based experience.

Get a comprehensive overview of classroom management, including: positive child guidance strategies, inclusive social organization strategies and the design of engaging learning environments. Explore the psychosocial foundations of current child guidance strategies and practical approaches to promoting effective child-teacher, peer-peer and large group interactions. Emphasis is placed on ways teachers can foster respectful and responsive relationships with and between students, as well as techniques for nurturing self-regulation, self-motivation and self-esteem in children. Prereq: Junior/Senior.

Learn about promoting and guiding children's play as a fundamental learning mechanism within culturally and linguistically diverse early elementary classrooms.  Study research and theories of play; strategies, materials, and activities that support and encourage play and creativity; and the role of play-based instructional approaches in fostering learning across all academic content areas. Design learning experiences that emphasize play, multi-sensory engagement and active, hands-on problem-solving to promote early learning and growth in all developmental domains. Prereq: Junior/Senior.

CONNECT WITH US

The University of Texas at El Paso
UTEP Connect Online Programs
Kelly Hall, Ste. 115
500 W. University Ave.
El Paso, Texas 79968
E: utepconnect@utep.edu
P: 1-800-684-UTEP