Early Childhood Development, BS
FRESHMAN GUIDE
Learn. Enrich. Inspire.
The W's Early Childhood Development degree program is designed to train entry-level early childhood education leaders. The curriculum aligns with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and is designed to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age eight, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research with quality instruction. Alongside top-notch classes, our program includes Residency courses to give our students more classroom experience than any other program in the state.
Eight Semester Degree Plan
Freshman Year
Semester 1
| EN 101 English Comp I | 3 |
| COM 101 Oral Communication | 3 |
| Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Natural Science with a Lab | 4 |
| ED 200 Education as a Profession | 3 |
| UN 101 Intro to College Life | 1 |
| TOTAL | 17 |
Semester 2
| EN 102 English Comp II | 3 |
| MA 113 College Algebra or above | 3 |
| Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Natural Science with a Lab | 4 |
| PSY 206 Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Sophomore Year
Semester 3
| Philosophy course | 3 |
| Additional Math or Computer Science course | 3 |
| Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Science without Lab | 3 |
| ED 297 Instructional Technology I | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 4
| ED 360 Educational Psychology | 3 |
| Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Science without Lab | 3 |
| ED 302 Art and Science of Teaching* | 3 |
| ED 304 Principles of Early Childhood Learning | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Junior Year
Semester 5
Block 1
| ED 306 Intro to Special Education | 3 |
| ED 307 Children's Literature in Pre-K through Grade 3 | 3 |
| ED 311 Elementary Residency I | 3 |
| ED 317 Behaviors in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ED 319 Early Childhood Language and Literacy | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 6
Block 2
| ED 309 Mathematics in K-3 | 3 |
| ED 320 Developmentally Appropriate Materials and Methods in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ED 361 Early Literacy Instruction I | 3 |
| ED 367 Elementary Residency II | 3 |
| Additional Free Elective Hours | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
*Critical Pathway Course - Course requires a B or above
After completing Block 2 Education courses, students who have a 3.0 GPA on the most recent prior 60 credit hours OR who have earned a 21 or higher composite ACT score OR who have completed and passed the MDE Praxis Core exam may apply to become an Elementary Education major if interested.
Senior Year
Semester 7
Block 3
| ED 435 Elementary Residency III | 3 |
| Required Education Elective Course | 3 |
| Additional Free Elective Hours | 9 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 8
Block 4
| ED 404 Teacher Internship | 9 |
| Additional Free Elective Hours | 3 |
| TOTAL | 12 |
Notice Regarding Repeat Coursework
Please note: Each undergraduate education student may repeat an education course or core required course once. Students who do not achieve required minimum grades after two attempts beginning August 2020 will not qualify to continue in the respective program(s) depending upon each program’s minimum grade requirement. This restriction applies to all current and new undergraduate education students either in the Early Childhood Development Major, BS or the Elementary Education Major, BS.
Making College Affordable
It's not just a tagline. We honestly believe the cost of a college education should not be a deterrent to your pursuit of earning a college degree. We were founded on the belief everyone should be able to get a college education. Year after year, The W ranks as one of the Best Value Universities. The W has kept our tuition among the lowest in the South. We offer that same low tuition to residents of every state. Plus, we have a range of scholarships and grants to help you pay for your education.
Early Childhood Education, BS Curriculum
This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.
General Education Curriculum
In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Literacy
- Quantitative & Technology Skills
- Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
- Life-Long Learning
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree must complete the following courses in their academic program:
- 8 semester hours of Laboratory Science
- 3 semester hours of Mathematics MA 113 (or higher)
- 6 semester hours of Science and/or Mathematics
- 3 semester hours of additional mathematics above MA 113 or computer applications/programming course
A total of 20 hours is required, and students may not double count credit hours in the above categories.
Teacher Education Requirements
Teacher Education Majors are required to pass the following courses with a C or higher as part of their major and their General Education Curriculum.
- MA 113 - College Algebra or higher Math including MA 123 (3 semester hours)
- COM 101 - Oral Communication
- PSY 206 - Human Growth and Development
Required Major Courses (54 Semester Hours)
- ED 200 - Education as a Profession
- ED 297 - Instructional Technology I
- ED 302 - Art and Science of Teaching
- ED 304 - Principles of Early Childhood Learning
- ED 306 - Introduction to Special Education
- ED 307 - Children’s Literature in Pre-K Through Grade 3
- ED 309 - Mathematics in K-3
- ED 311 - Elementary Residency 1
- ED 317 - Behaviors in Early Childhood
- ED 319 - Early Childhood Language and Literacy
- ED 320 - Developmentally Appropriate Materials and Methods in Early Childhood Education
- ED 360 - Educational Psychology
- ED 361 - Early Literacy Instruction I
- ED 367 - Elementary Residency 2
- ED 404 - Teacher Internship: Early Childhood
- ED 435 - Elementary Residency 3
Education Elective Courses (Minimum 3 Semester Hours Required)
(Minimum grade of C or above)
- ED 294 - Media Literacy Education
- ED 362 - Early Literacy Instruction II
- ED 365 - Integrating Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
- ED 390 - Classroom Management and Student Accommodations and Interventions
- ED 404 - Teacher Internship: Early Childhood (course may be repeated for additional 9 credit hours)
- ED 466 - Diagnosing and Assessing Reading Difficulties in Children
Total Hours Required for a BS in Early Childhood Development: 120 Semester Hours
Notice Regarding Repeat Coursework
Please note: Each undergraduate education student may repeat an education course or core required course once. Students who do not achieve required minimum grades after two attempts beginning August 2020 will not qualify to continue in the respective program(s) depending upon each program’s minimum grade requirement. This restriction applies to all current and new undergraduate education students either in the Early Childhood Development Major, BS or the Elementary Education Major, BS.