Students who are passionate about working with young children and want to work in a preschool or early elementary classroom will find the Early Childhood Education program to be a good mixture of hands-on experience and solid theoretical education. Beginning with the first course taken in the Professional Education curriculum, students complete at least 100 hours tutoring and observing in local elementary schools and at the Institute of Child Development, located on the OU Norman campus, before they begin student teaching.
The curriculum for a Bachelor of Science degree with teaching certification is designed to be accomplished within four years, though this can vary depending on when the student enters the program as a fully admitted student to the college.
The OU-Tulsa campus also offers a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.
An Early Childhood Education student graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. A student could also pursue a Master of Education, a Doctor of Philosophy or a Doctor of Education degree. Students who obtain a master's degree may be certified as reading specialists.
Degree checksheet for this program
Students are recommended for Oklahoma certification to teach pre-kindergarten through third grade after graduating and passing required state certification exams (OSAT and PPAT).
Early Childhood majors may wish to consider adding an additional certification in either Elementary Education or Special Education. This may extend your undergraduate timeline by an additional semester. Talk with your advisor if you are interested in adding a second certification.
Early Childhood Education students are interested in working with young children. Preparation should include tutoring or working with preschool through third-grade students.
