summer 2024 | Session A
Classes Start
April 27
Spring 2025
Classes Start
Jan 11
Program Overview
Whether you’re already working as an early childhood professional or are interested in becoming one, you can benefit from this highly ranked degree program. RCU’s Early Childhood Study program is a great option for completing your degree or enhancing your skills for career growth. You’ll gain exposure and experience in various preschool settings through required observation hours. Please note: The early childhood studies program does NOT lead to any teacher certification.
degree requirements
Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood program is a designed to help you complete your degree and continue to work in the early childhood field. Courses cover child development and learning, family education, and diversity issues, among others. Several of the courses require observation hours, providing you with experience in the preschool setting. Please note, for this major, a criminal background check completed within the past 12 months is required before being accepted to the university.
The early childhood studies program does NOT lead to any teacher certification.
- Lead teacher in a Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
- Lead teacher in a Head Start
- Lead teacher in any other private or public program serving children from birth to age five
- Program administrator in an agency that advocates on behalf of children and families, or a supervisor of individuals with an associate’s degree working in the same facility
Total Credit Hours: 120
- General Education Core: 38 hours
- Early Childhood Studies Major: 45 hours
- Electives: 37 hours
2021 Ranked #1 Best Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education by Study.com
2021 Ranked #3 Best Online Bachelor Degree Programs in Early Childhood Education by Study.com
2021 Ranked #1 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Michigan (Undergraduate) by Plexuss.com
2020 Ranked #1 Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education by Study.com
- Creative Writing Club
Program Statistics
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor
Graduates hired within 6 months
Jobs filled by Rochester grads
Career Opportunities
Types of Jobs
- GSRP
- Head Starts
- Preschool
- Programs serving ages birth through 5
- Childcare center directors
$33,000
$41,000
$52,000
Avg. Salaries post graduation
(Courtesy of Salary.com for Preschool Teacher)
Market Trends
Projected Growth (2021-2031): 11%
Projected Job Openings (2021-2031): 63,100
(Courtesy of O*Net Online)
student experience
Internships
Clubs
- Creative Writing Club
Activities
alumni testimonial
I chose the ECS program at RCU because it was a quicker and more efficient way of getting my degree while working. I prefer online classes with smaller groups rather than a [large] university. This program is very beneficial to becoming a future educator and it pushes you harder to focus and succeed due to the acceleration of the courses.
Faculty
Associate Professor of Education
School of Education
Associates Campus Center (CC) 208
(248) 218-2345
cclark@rochesteru.edu
School of Education
Associates Campus Center (CC) 208
(248) 218-2345
cclark@rochesteru.edu
