Early Childhood Education

Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education

• Download the Degree Sheet

Why Early Childhood?

Early childhood education offers opportunities for challenging and diverse career paths for professionals seeking to make positive differences in the lives of young children and their families.

Traditional careers in early childhood lead to teaching where degree recipients design group programs that support and promote children's intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic, and physical development and learning. Early childhood professionals make complex decisions regarding developmentally appropriate practices and family relations.

• Early Childhood is a growing and expanding field in Oklahoma and surrounding states. Job opportunities in public school pre-k through 3rd grade and in other settings will be numerous when you complete your degree.
• Working in this field is a rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families.

Why UCO?

• The University of Central Oklahoma has long been a leader in Oklahoma in the area of Early Childhood Education. The program is recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for meeting the standards for preparation of beginning teachers. Our Early Childhood Education faculty is active in state and national professional organizations in the field of early childhood.
• UCO's early childhood education graduates are recognized as being some of the best prepared beginning teachers.
• Our faculty continuously seeks feedback from graduates, teachers, and administrators to keep the program current.
• Students experience many hours of classroom field experiences within courses in the early childhood education major, which allows opportunities to practice effective teaching strategies with young children.

About UCO's Program

Students majoring in early childhood education receive a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree and are eligible to apply for an Oklahoma Teaching License.  Upon completion of a successful residency year, they are eligible to apply for a Standard Early Childhood Certificate for grades pre-k through 3rd.

Program History

The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), the state's oldest preparer of educators, began as the Territorial Normal School in 1980, one year after the opening of Native American lands for settlement and seventeen years prior to Oklahoma's statehood in 1907. The Territorial Normal School has undergone much growth and six name changes to become a university enrolling nearly 16,000 students in undergraduate and graduate program, the state's largest public regional university.

What They Say about Us

From mentor teachers: "When I have a choice, I always ask for student teachers from UCO. They are always so well prepared."

From student teachers: "All of us were talking about how awesome our student teaching experience has been."

From principals: "The time you spend with your students shows when they student teach."

Program Requirements

• University Core Curriculum
• Major Support Coursework
  • English.............12 hours
  • Math................12 hours
  • Science............12 hour
  • Social Studies...12 hours
• Early Childhood Education and Professional Teacher Education
  • Core Area...........................9 hours
  • Early Childhood Emphasis.....25 hours
  • Professional Education.........28 hours

Also see the suggested schedule. For more information regarding the requirements for the B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, please view the current undergraduate catalog.

Contact Information

Undergraduate Academic Advisor
Whitney Jones
Nigh University Center, Room 121K
(405) 974-2933
wjones15@uco.edu

Department of Curriculum and Instruction:
Chambers Library, Room 124
(405) 974-5721