Early Childhood Education

About the Major

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education program is designed for early childhood educators interested in developing the skills necessary to effectively empower, engage, and educate diverse learners in a variety of urban education settings, both in the private and public sectors. As a student, you will learn from experienced faculty members who will prepare you to be a transformative teacher of early childhood-aged children. Evening, Saturday, and online-hybrid course offerings are tailored to support learners working toward professional certification and career advancement. As part of a learning cohort, students remain together for the duration of the two-year program.

Skills and abilities this major develops include: assessment of children’s knowledge, planning instruction, teaching, problem solving, and addressing issues of equity and other barriers to education in urban communities.

Engaged Learning Experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Student Organizations

Students interested in education tend to be a passionate bunch. We are home to a number of organizations dedicated to different facets of teaching and education.

Service Learning

You can add to your built-in student teaching experience through community engagement. From service projects to conferences, you get a head start on lifelong learning.

Study Abroad

Study abroad is much more than a trip—it’s an intellectual and cultural adventure that will change the way you see the world, other people, and yourself.

Opportunities After Graduation

There are two options for program completion: non-licensure and licensure. The non-licensure option is for educators interested in working in early childhood settings focused on birth to pre-K. The licensure option is for educators interested in working in early childhood settings focused on pre-K to grade 3 and results in early childhood education licensure (grades P–3) by the state of Indiana.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2019), employment of early childhood education teachers is projected to grow 2% from 2019 to 2029, faster than average for all occupations. The average starting salary for IUPUI School of Education graduates was $40,411 and the median salary $41,000 for the May 2019 cohort. The median salary for a pre-school teacher in Indiana was $30,520 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019).

(This section is intended for information purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Education majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas: administration, English language/literature, law, special education, school counseling, and bilingual education.

Quick Facts

Sample Coursework

Multicultural Education and Global Awareness
Science for Early Childhood
Infant Learning Environments
Teaching about the Arts
Methods for Teaching Students with Special Needs

Possible Careers

Library Consultant
Nonprofit program coordinator
Preschool Teacher
School counselor*
Social Worker*

*These career options require additional training or education.

Where could I work?

Community and social services
Community Health Network
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS)
Indy Reads
Media and communications

Complementing Interests

SSocial

AArtistic

EEnterprising

Get your interest code

Where to Get More Information

IUPUI School of Education

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

American Federation of Teachers

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

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