B.A. in Early Childhood Education

‌Early Childhood Education is a specifically designed program of study that meets educational requirements for South Carolina licensure in grades PreK-3. Students pursuing this program of study become involved in a broad range of learning experiences. Study in the core areas of English, math, science, and social studies, as well as art, music, and physical education, prepares students for what they will be expected to teach in the public schools. These studies, along with instruction in child growth and development, teaching methodology, curriculum, and relevant off-campus clinical experiences, offer students a program rich in opportunities and professional growth.

Related Links

• EDEC Links - helpful and informative Early Childhood Education resources
  
• Early Childhood Education 4-Year Plan 2023-24 - 4-year academic plan for the Early Childhood Education degree
• Early Childhood Education Brochure - Informational brochure about the Early Childhood Education program
• Project BICYCLES - Deborah L. Rooks-Ellis, Ph.D., an associate professor of early childhood education, and Rhonda Miller, Ph.D., an associate professor of special education, received a five-year grant, totaling nearly $1.25 million, for a teacher preparation project titled “Project Build Interdisciplinary Capacity to Yield Culturally-responsive Leaders in Early childhood-Special education (BICYCLES).”

The Student Experience:

• Coastal Carolina University offers two student organizations for education majors: The South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) and the national education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi. Learn more about these organizations here.

• The Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences is nationally accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and the South Carolina Board of Education.

• Students who earn a degree from Coastal Carolina University and who are granted licensure by the state of South Carolina are eligible for reciprocal licensure* in every other state.
• The Early Childhood Education program includes extensive clinical experiences in area schools, beginning in the first semester of study in education and continuing through the internship experience at the end of the program. Clinical fieldwork begins with a focus on guided observation experiences, followed by expectations for individual, small group, and whole-class instruction.

*Does not mean full reciprocal. Graduates are responsible for contacting their respective state department of education to determine licensure eligibility. We can only guarantee licensure in South Carolina. 

Admission to the Program:

All students enter the program as pre-majors. Candidates may complete a formal application for admission to the professional program in teacher education (PPTE) when they have completed at least 60 hours of college-level coursework and have met the following requirements:

• Earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA;

• Earn a "C" or better in ENGL 101, ENGL 102,  EDUC 111, EDUC 204, EDEC 276, MATH 201 and 202, HIST 201 or POLI 201, HIST 205, foreign language and eight hours of sciences;

• Pass all three areas of Praxis Core or meet the exemption policy;

• Successfully clear a criminal background composite disciplinary action disclosure statement;

• Complete a Professional Reference;
• Be missing no more than four core courses outside of the professional program.

(Candidates are reviewed for acceptance into the Professional Program in Teacher Education by the Portal I Faculty Committee.)

Areas of Study:

Early Childhood Education majors take courses such as Child Development: The Young Child, Integrated Math/Science/Social Studies I, Early Childhood Programs and Curriculum, Strategies for Teaching and Learning with Literature, and Guiding Young Children's Behavior and Classroom Management.

TeachSC Resources and Support

Our partner, TeachSC, is a program that provides free support to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. When you sign up, you get perks like 1-on-1 coaching, up to $100 back in fee reimbursements towards expenses related to applying to our programs (including testing and fingerprints), and a chance to win a regional $1,000 scholarship! Access these resources by signing up here!

For More Information:

Eugenia Hopper, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Coordinator of Early Childhood Education
Prince Building 119L
843-349-6943
ehopper@coastal.edu