Early Care and Early Childhood Studies (Teacher Certification), Bachelor of Science
(Focus: Birth - 8th Years – Early Childhood Teacher Certification)
This program leads to a profession which requires an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001 This requires that all applicants seeking to become licensed must undergo a criminal background check prior to licensure. Students in this program should check with the College of Education and P-16 Integration on the requirements for a criminal background check prior to student teaching.
To prepare highly skilled professionals to assume roles and positions in teaching, research, educational leadership, and human development to contribute to the educational achievement of all young children ages birth - 8 years in early childhood settings.
Note: For a PDF version of the degree requirements for this program go to the Undergraduate Programs page on the UTRGV website.
Core Curriculum Requirements – 42 Hours
Students must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements. The courses listed below satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements.
Mathematics – 3 hours
Life and Physical Science – 6 hours
Choose six hours of science except PSCI 1421 and PSCI 1422 Physical Science I and II.
Creative Arts – 3 hours
Integrative and Experiential Learning Option – 6 hours
Choose labs corresponding to the Life and Physical Science section except PSCI 1421 and PSCI 1422 Physical Science I and II.
Major Requirements – 77 Hours (63 advanced)
Academic Content – 29 hours (15 advanced)
Note: To enroll in EDSL 3310 and SPED 4310, students must apply for admission and be accepted to the College of Education and P-16 Integration
Early Care and Early Childhood Studies Specialization – 24 hours (24 advanced)
| ECED 4391 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECED 4392 | Guidance of Young Children | 3 |
| ECED 4314 | Dynamics of Play and Play Environments in Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 4315 | Linguistically-Diverse Early Childhood Students | 3 |
| ECED 4394 | Principles of Curriculum Design in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 4395 | Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math for Young Children | 3 |
| ECED 4312 | Administration of Child Development Centers | 3 |
| ECED 3310 | Quality Programs for Infants & Toddlers | 3 |
Teacher Certification – 24 hours (24 advanced)
| EDCI 3331/EPSY 3331 | Human Development and Student Learning | 3 |
| EDCI 3332 | Designing and Implementing Instruction and Assessment | 3 |
| EDCI 3333 | Teaching Science to Elementary Students | 3 |
| EDCI 3334 | Teaching Mathematics to Elementary Students | 3 |
| EDCI 3335 | Teaching Social Studies to Elementary Students | 3 |
| EDCI 3336 | Teaching English Language Arts and Reading to Elementary Students | 3 |
| EDCI 4637 | Student Teaching for Elementary Teachers (EC-6) | 6 |
Free Electives – 1 Hour
Total Credit Hours: 63
Total Credit Hours: 120
Admission, Progression, and Graduation Requirements, if applicable:
Admission requirements
Students must complete an application and a criminal background check.
Progression requirements
For teacher certification, students must apply for admission and be accepted to the College of Education and P-16 Integration prior to enrolling in teacher certification courses and ECED major courses. In addition, a GPA of 2.75 is required for program progression.