Early Childhood Development BA/BS
“I am so glad I went through the ECD program at SOU. Once I was accepted, I was able to finish my last two years in exactly two years.” M.H.
Early Childhood Development – Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science
Early Childhood Development, BA/BS
Offered as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Major
This degree program offers a 100% online option.
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) program will provide a variety of career options for you to work with young children and their families. Just imagine, this program will help you become a well qualified professional for opportunities such as preschool teacher, Head Start Program teacher, administrator, family advocate, early interventionist, educational assistant, as well as a potential Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) student.
The Early Childhood Development bachelor’s degree completion program is designed for working adults who prefer the flexibility of an online program and have completed approximately two years of college course work. Most lower division general education and early childhood education courses are not offered online through SOU and must be taken on campus or at local community colleges. To help facilitate transfer of students into this online ECD degree, SOU works with community colleges to identify appropriate lower division early childhood prerequisite and general education courses essential to the major. The program offers upper division coursework needed for a bachelor of science degree in ECD.
Generally, we encourage students to complete 120 quarter credits at their community college – comprised of specific general education and early childhood courses. Often students will complete an AA or AAS with an early childhood major (approximately 90-95 quarter credits), then fill in the required SOU general education courses (approximately 25-30 credits). Students then take the minimum 60 upper division credits online – comprised of core and elective early childhood courses.
Learn more about this degree here
Articulation Agreements
An articulation agreement is an agreement between a community college and a 4-year school that outlines the transfer requirements. You do not have to attend one of the listed community colleges to transfer to SOU, it is only that we have developed advising guidelines with these schools to assist you. We currently have agreements with the following two-year colleges:
Oregon:
- Central Oregon Community College
- Chemeketa Community College
- Clackamas Community College
- Klamath Community College
- Linn Benton Community College
- Mount Hood Community College
- Portland Community College
- Rogue Community College
- Southwestern Oregon Community College
- Umpqua Community College
California:
- College of the Redwoods
- College of the Siskiyous
- Feather River College
- Shasta College
Coenrollment Information
SOU has coenrollment agreements with many community colleges. This allows students to receive financial aid for the combined number of credits they are taking. For more information visit the Financial Aid website here. The forms and information are listed under Consortium Agreements.
Guided Pathways
for Early Childhood Development, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Program Contact
K.C. Sam
Phone: 541.552.6936
Email: samk@sou.edu
Career Opportunities
Associate Degree Paths
Rogue Community College:
Early Childhood Education, Associate of Applied Science
Umpqua Community College:
Early Childhood Development, Associate of Science
Klamath Community College:
Early Childhood Education, Associate of Applied Science
Similar Majors
Similar Minors & Certificates
Similar Micro-Credentials
Sample Graduate Degrees
Degree Fit
Program Preparation
Students who have a strong interest and passion for working with young children and have the desire to support children’s healthy development and to work closely with parents are welcome to join the SOU Early Childhood Development Program.
Degree Roadmap
The ECD program is a degree completion program. ECD students take lower division Early Childhood (ECE) courses at a community college and then complete the upper division ECD major courses at SOU. Students will be educated on the fundamentals of a broad range of topics in early childhood best practices to become conscientious professionals who connect effectively with children and families.
Capstone
The Capstone project is designed collaboratively by the student and the Capstone instructor. The Capstone course provides students an opportunity to expand and refine skills and knowledge that are important as professionals in education of young children. Capstone Internship is a major culminating experience for the Early Childhood Development students as part of graduation requirements. In Capstone, students are engaged in Community-Based Learning (CBL) by planning, implementing, and reflecting on a developmentally appropriate CBL service project for children and their families in their practicum/internship settings. In addition, students are also expected to develop a professional portfolio.
Career Path
Become a Professional
Career opportunities for an Early Childhood Development degree:
- Preschool Teacher
- Preschool Supervisor
- Head Start Program Teacher
- Early Childhood Administrator
- Family Advocate
- Early Interventionist
- Educational Assistant
- Child Development Specialist
- Children’s Center Director
Salary Range
$33,000-$54,000
*Based on National Average
Future Success
SOU Early Childhood Development Alumni
Shawn Lybarger - 2013
BS in Early Childhood Development
Education Director/Supervisor, UCAN Head Start Programs
Contact the School of Education
SOU Education Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6936
– Questions About The SOU Education Program? –