Early Childhood Education Degree | Carlow University

Help children reach their full potential

In Carlow’s Early Childhood Education degree program, you will focus on learning to nurture the dignity, worth and uniqueness of young children from birth to fourth grade. You will learn to create healthy environments and relationships where children can thrive and develop a love of learning.

Rooted in constructivism, the program is guided by child development pedagogy and early learning standards, and advocates for best 21st-century learning practices. Students utilize the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s three core considerations when planning learning environments: child development and learning theory, individual appropriateness and cultural importance. The program is guided by the NAEYC’s Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators, Power to the Profession and the Pennsylvania Department of Education‛s Teacher Certification Competencies.

Carlow is one of the few private schools that accepts the following state-sponsored scholarship opportunities: TEACH Scholarship, Rising Stars and PASSHE

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Degree:

Bachelor of Arts

Delivery:

On campus, some online

Campus:

Oakland or Satellite

Transfer credits:

Up to 90 credits

Early Childhood Education degree curriculum

View Plan of Study

You’ll take courses in advanced child development, play as learning, math and science for the developing child, and community support. The infant-toddler and curriculum methods courses include practicums, which are in addition to the student teaching requirement.

This program is also offered at our Greensburg and Cranberry campuses.

Quick facts

Explore STEM and learn programming, robotics, computational thinking and inquiry skills
Network with educators through professional development opportunities and community fairs, and visit with community organizations that support learning
Engage in practicum and student teaching experiences in the Carlow Campus Laboratory School and Early Learning Center, and work with infants through fourth-graders

Career opportunities for early childhood education

With an Early Childhood Education degree, you can teach students basic academic, social and other formative skills in public or private schools at the elementary level. According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry, employment of child care, kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 6% from 2014 to 2024.

Admission requirements and application process

Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
Have a minimum 3.00 cumulative high school or 3.50 cumulative college GPA.

Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

Note for all certification students: At the end of your sophomore year, you must officially apply to the education department through the coordinator of undergraduate programs. You must have 48 credits, have at least a 3.0 GPA, pass SKW 101, SKQ 101, a math course and a literature course, and pass the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) or the CORE ETS Fundamental Skills Tests in reading, writing and math or meet equivalent course, ACT or SAT requirements.

Certification requirements: Carlow’s early childhood education program provides the necessary coursework required for Pre-K-4 teacher certification in Pennsylvania. Students must meet additional requirements and apply for certification after graduation.

Contact Admissions

If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.

admissions@carlow.edu

+1 (412) 578-6059