Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Early Childhood B.S.Institute of Child Development
College of Education and Human Development
The undergraduate program in early childhood prepares students to work with young children (birth through age eight) and their families. The curriculum includes a variety of courses that are central to early childhood teaching and child development.
The program offers students the flexibility to choose one of three tracks that aligns with their career aspirations:
The Foundations of Early Education track prepares students for entry into the master of education (MEd)/initial licensure program in early childhood education.
The Early and Elementary Education track prepares students for entry into the master of education (MEd) in Early Childhood Education with a recommendation for an initial license in early childhood education (birth-grade 3) and an additional license in elementary education (Kindergarten-grade 6).
The Individualized Studies track prepares graduates to work in non-licensure educational settings (including daycare centers, private schools, youth community programs, or a variety of non-profit settings), to pursue advanced degrees, or to work in other settings where a strong education in child development is useful.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
Admission into the major is based on the following criteria:
• GPA of 2.5 is preferred
• Completion of CPSY 2301/3301 or transfer equivalent with a grade of C- or higher is preferred
• Those who have not yet completed CPSY 2301/3301 or transfer equivalent will be expected to complete it in their first semester in the program.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
First Year Experience
All incoming CEHD Freshmen must complete the First-Year Inquiry course EDHD 1525.
Take 0 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
EDHD 1525W - CEHD First Year Experience
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
EDHD 1525V - CEHD First Year Experience
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
At least half of the upper-division credits in the major must be taken at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus: Foundations of Education and Early and Elementary Education sub-plans 26 credits and Individualized Studies sub-plan 23 credits.
Child Development Courses
Introduction to Child/Developmental Psychology
Students should take one of the following cross-listed courses.
CPSY 2301 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
CPSY 3301 - Introduction to Developmental Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
CPSY 3301H - Honors Introduction to Developmental Psychology
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
Early Childhood Courses
Students must be admitted to the program before taking these courses. Many of the major courses have an experiential component.
CPSY 5241 - Field Experience in Early Childhood Education
(3.0 cr)
CPSY 5251W - Social and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
CPSY 5252 - Facilitating Social and Emotional Learning in Early Childhood Education
(3.0 cr)
CPSY 5253 - Facilitating Cognitive and Language Learning in Early Childhood Education
(3.0 cr)
CPSY 5254 - Facilitating Creative and Motor Learning in Early Childhood Education
(2.0 cr)
EPSY 5625 - Education of Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool Children with Disabilities: Introduction
(2.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 5251W - Social and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Foundations of Education
This sub-plan is for early childhood majors who intend to go on to post-baccalaureate early childhood education teacher licensure via the MEd in early childhood education/initial licensure program.
Required Courses
Take 30.5 - 33.5 credit(s) from the following:
Elementary Ed Courses
Courses need to be taken together in the same semester.
Elementary Ed Teaching
CI 3211 - Introduction to Elementary Teaching
(3.0 cr)
CI 3212 - Field Experience: Elementary Teaching
(2.0 cr)
or
Study Abroad Option
MONT 3211 - Introduction to Elementary School Teaching
(3.0 cr)
MONT 3212 - Teaching Practicum
(3.0 cr)
Foundation Courses
CI 5307 - Technology for Teaching and Learning
(1.5 cr)
OLPD 5009 - Human Relations: Applied Skills for School and Society
(1.0 cr)
Math
Students can choose from CI 1806 or any 1000-level 3 credit or higher MATH course with the exception of MATH 1001.
CI 1806 - College Algebra through Modeling
[MATH]
(3.0 cr)
or
MATH 1xxx
Language and Literacy
Linguistics
CI 3610 - Linguistics for Teachers
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
or
ENGL 3601 - Analysis of the English Language
(4.0 cr)
or
LING 3001 - Introduction to Linguistics
[SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
MONT 3121 - Language Development from a Cross-Cultural Perspective
(3.0 cr)
Literacy
Please note CI 5413 and 5414 must be taken together.
CI 3401W - Diversity in Children's Literature
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
CI 5413 - Foundations of Reading
(3.0 cr)
CI 5414 - Field Experience: Working with Developing Readers
(2.0 cr)
Student Teaching
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 6 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 5281 - Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education
(6.0-8.0 cr)
Early and Elementary Education
This sub-plan is for majors who intend to go on to the MEd program and be recommended for licensure in both early childhood education and elementary education.
Elementary Education Courses
Cognition Course
Choose one.
EPSY 3119 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
EPSY 5001 - Learning, Cognition, and Assessment
(3.0 cr)
Math Foundations
Choose one. If choosing MATH 1XXX, any course except Math 1001.
CI 1806 - College Algebra through Modeling
[MATH]
(3.0 cr)
or
MATH 1xxx
Teaching Math, Arts, and Phy Ed
CI 3001 - Engaged Arts Learning in Elementary Classrooms
(2.0 cr)
KIN 3327 - Teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School
(2.0 cr)
MTHE 3101 - Mathematics and Pedagogy for Elementary Teachers I
(3.0 cr)
MTHE 3102 - Mathematics and Pedagogy for Elementary Teachers II
(3.0 cr)
Content Area Courses
One course from each category below is required. Courses below would ideally be selected to meet both liberal education and major requirements, to maximize efficiency. Specific courses listed below have been approved to meet both requirements, but other options are also possible so students should work with the department advisor. Course content would ideally be broad enough within the respective area to prepare for eventual licensure exams.
Physics with a Lab
Recommended courses below - other courses may satisfy this requirement. Check with your advisor.
CI 1563 - Physics by Inquiry
[PHYS]
(4.0 cr)
or
SLHS 1301W - Physics and Biology of the Voice
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 3071W - Laboratory-Based Physics for Teachers
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
PHYS 1101W - Introductory College Physics I
[PHYS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Earth or Planet Science with Lab
Recommended courses below - other courses may satisfy this requirement. Check with your advisor.
ESCI 1001 - Earth and Its Environments
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
or
AST 1001 - Exploring the Universe
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
or
ESPM 1425 - Introduction to Weather and Climate
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
or
ESCI 1006 - Oceanography
[PHYS, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
Biological Science with Lab
Recommended courses are below. Could be fulfilled with any course that meets the Biological Science with Lab lib ed requirement.
BIOL 1001 - Introductory Biology: Evolutionary and Ecological Perspectives
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 1003 - Evolution and Biology of Sex
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 1012 - Human Biology: Concepts and Current Ethical Issues
[BIOL, CIV]
(4.0 cr)
or
ANTH 1001 - Human Evolution
[BIOL]
(4.0 cr)
or
BIOL 1xxx
or
CI 1512 - Nature in the City
[BIOL, ENV]
(4.0 cr)
History
Recommended courses are below. Could be fulfilled with any course that meets the History Lib Ed. Note that licensure testing will include world, US, and Minnesota history.
AMIN 1003 - American Indians in Minnesota
[HIS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
AMST 2011 - The United States since September 11
[CIV, HIS]
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 1301W - Authority and Rebellion: American History to 1865
[HIS, DSJ, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
HIST 1031W - Europe and the World: Expansion, Encounter, and Exchange to 1500
[HIS, GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Additional Social Science
Recommended courses are below. Could be fulfilled with any course that meets the Social Science Lib Ed, with the EXCEPTION of courses from PSY, CPSY, or EPSY.
GEOG 1301W - Our Globalizing World
[SOCS, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
GEOG 1372 - Geography of Global Cities
[SOCS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
FSOS 1211 - An Interdisciplinary Look at the Family in Multicultural America
[DSJ, SOCS]
(4.0 cr)
or
FSOS 3102 - Family Systems and Diversity
[SOCS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
ANTH 1003W - Understanding Cultures
[SOCS, GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
SOC 1001 - Introduction to Sociology
[SOCS, DSJ]
(4.0 cr)
Student Teaching
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 6 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 5281 - Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education
(6.0-8.0 cr)
Individualized Studies
This sub-plan is for students who do not wish to go on to early childhood education teacher licensure via the MEd in early childhood education/initial licensure program.
Students will develop a Supporting Program to complement the major, consisting of at least 15 credits in consultation with the major advisor. Students must submit a program proposal during their first semester in the major to indicate these plans and interests. Recommended areas of study and/or formal minors may include: child psychology, culture and teaching, English as a second language education, second language, family social science, applied psychology in educational and community settings, leadership, business, or public policy.
Supporting program options
These courses will be individually planned with the major advisor, via a program proposal document. Courses may not count in both the required core area and the individualized supporting area. Options below are only suggestions; many more courses are possible, per the proposal.
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
CPSY 3xxx
·
CPSY 4xxx
·
SW 2xxx
·
SW 3xxx
·
FSOS 2xxx
·
FSOS 3xxx
·
FSOS 4xxx
·
EPSY 2xxx
·
EPSY 3xxx
·
EPSY 5xxx
·
YOST 2xxx
·
YOST 3xxx
·
YOST 4xxx
·
OLPD 3xxx
·
OLPD 4xxx
·
CI 3xxx
·
CI 4xxx
·
CI 5xxx
·
REC 3xxx
·
KIN 3xxx
·
KIN 4xxx
·
ASL 3xxx
·
SPAN 3xxx
·
SLHS 3xxx
·
SLHS 4xxx
·
PSY 3xxx
·
PSY 4xxx
·
JOUR 3xxx
·
JOUR 4xxx
·
COMM 3xxx
·
COMM 4xxx
·
SOC 3xxx
·
SOC 4xxx
·
PUBH 3xxx
·
PA 3xxx
·
PA 4xxx
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EDHD1525V/EDHD1525W/PSTL 1525V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EDHD1525V/EDHD1525W/PSTL 1525V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CPsy 2301/ 3301/ H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3625/EPsy 5625 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3119/EdHD 5001 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 1806/Math 1031 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 -8.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EPsy 3119/EdHD 5001 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CI 1806/Math 1031 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ling 3001/3001H/5001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | SLHS 1301W/SLHS 1301V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Phys 1101W/Phys 1107 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 1001/ESci 1101/ESci 1005/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Ast 1001/Ast 1005/Ast 1011H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESPM 1425/Geog 1425 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 1006/ESci 1106 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1001/Biol 1001H/Biol 1003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1001/Biol 1001H/Biol 1003 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 1010/Biol 1015/PSTL 1135 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Hist 1301W/1301V/1307 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Hist 1026/1031W/1031V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 1301W/Geog 1301V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Geog 1372/GloS 1672 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FSoS 1211/PsTL 1211 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | FSoS 3102/FSOS 5101 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 1003W/Anth 1003V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Soc 1001/Soc 1011V/Soc 1012W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 6.0 -8.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 -8.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |