Program Details
Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in Education
Bachelor of Science in EducationVirginia Commonwealth University
Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The purpose of the B.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Teaching degree is to prepare undergraduate students for roles as teachers and care providers of infants, toddlers and young children in schools and community preschool settings. The program will focus on providing students with a solid foundation in child development, educational psychology and the role of the family and society in education. Students will be prepared to teach in diverse classroom settings through purposefully integrated fieldwork and internship experiences. The program will emphasize working with young learners in inclusive settings and the value of play in early childhood instructional environments. The program prepares graduates to be reflective educators who demonstrate an in-depth understanding of science, social studies, mathematics and literacy pedagogy and content. Students will develop skills to advocate for equitable learning opportunities for all children. Upon successful completion of the program, and with the recommendation of the School of Education, students are eligible to receive initial licensure for early/primary education (PK-3) from the Virginia Department of Education.
Outcomes
Student learning outcomes: Learner and learning: Students will understand human development and learning theories appropriate to the age group they will teach and acquire an awareness of the diversity of the school-age populations’ cultural backgrounds, learning strengths and needs. Content: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the subjects they will teach. Instructional practice: Students will demonstrate an ability to plan and implement effective teaching and measure student learning in ways that lead to sustained development and learning. Professional responsibility: Students will develop an understanding of purposes for education and a defensible philosophical approach toward teaching and demonstrate professional dispositions.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | This program prepares students for roles as teachers in grades PK to 3. The program emphasizes working with young learners in inclusive settings and the value of play in early childhood instructional environments. Students are provided multiple opportunities to work directly with young children including during a full-semester student internship experience. This program is not a fully online program. Students should plan on attending in-person classes for a majority of required education courses. |
| Program Requirement Notes | Program Requirement Notes Students must have received a minimum grade of C in all required education courses (CLED, ECSE, EDUS, HPED, SEDP and TEDU). Students must have received a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses for all required upper-level education courses (CLED, ECSE, EDUS, HPED, SEDP and TEDU). Required education courses (CLED, ECSE, EDUS, HPED, SEDP and TEDU) in which students earn a grade of D or F must be repeated. Students must achieve a 2.8 GPA to be admitted to teacher preparation and a 3.0 GPA to be admitted to clinical internship. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Complete courses that are equivalent to VCU's lower-level general education core and required education courses to fulfill the courses required for your particular associates or certificate program. Connect with your advisor at your community college to ensure that you are following the transfer guide and schedule a meeting with a VCU Transfer Center advisor.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
| Doing More With Your Degree | Students can round out their degree, enhance their major studies, and give themselves a professional edge by pursuing one of our undergraduate minors in Special Education, Early Intervention Special Education, and Teaching English as a Second Language. Majors may apply to the Ruth Harris Scholars program to develop skills in teaching students with dyslexia. We also offer a nine-credit certificate program in Disability Studies. |
| Program Successes & Highlights | All majors complete a series of scaffolded clinical experiences, including placements in diverse PK-3rd grade schools. Education program graduates demonstrate a 100% pass rate on the Reading for Virginia Educators and Praxis Subject Assessments. Upon completion, students are eligible for licensure to teach PK-3rd grade, with the majority of graduates remaining in Virginia for their first position. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. |
| Credit for Prior Learning | VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service. |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Early Childhood Education, AAS | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Germanna Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Develop | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Teacher Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Education, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
| Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) Specialization | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Social Science/Education | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Development | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
| Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education Specialization | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
| Regent University | B.Ed. in Early & Primary Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Education | 4-Year | In-Person |
| Regent University | B.S. in Early Childhood Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1081.00 | Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2021.00 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2012.00 | Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-2011.00 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-9042.00 | Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-9043.00 | Teaching Assistants, Special Education | Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
Cost To Complete