Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

Majoring in Early Childhood Education?

The B.S. in Early Childhood Education offers candidates the opportunity to prepare for a license to teach in Pre-Kindergarten through third grade. This means that the Tennessee Department of Education certifies that the individual is qualified to teach at those levels and thus is eligible to be hired by public school systems in the state. An endorsement for a given grade level means that the student is especially well prepared for those grades, but is also eligible to teach at whatever level the license includes. The concentration in child development and learning, with licensure for grades K-3.

Degree Requirements:

accumulation of 120-credit hours and minimum 2.00 GPA, including...
the general education core
26 credit hours of content and knowledge courses
37 credit hours of professional education courses
12 hours (one full semester) of residency/student teaching, included in the professional education hours
completion of the Senior Exit Exam

Eligibility for admission to the teacher certification program:

Admission Application (Signed by Advisor)
Minimum GPA - 2.75 Cum
Pass CORE Academic Skills of Educators, or ACT, or SAT (only 1 of the three test is required)
- ACT score of 21 (Reading, Writing & Math) (effective 1/14/2019)
- SAT - score of 1020 (Reading & Mathematics)
- CORE Academic Skills for Educators scores Reading - 5712 (156), Writing 5722 (162), and Math (5732 (150)
Clear TBI/FBI Security Clearance, Waiver, and Privacy Act Forms Submitted $35.15 student cost
Completed at least 31 semester hours of coursework, including:
(ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020, PSY 2420 (Early Childhood concentration take ECFS 2010), EDCI 2010, plus appropriate sequence of freshman math and science)
Two positive recommendations from your content area professional educator/professor
Program of Study / 4 yr Plan which indicates all course completion grades (Signed by Advisor)
*TSU unofficial transcript

*Note: If the applicant has attended other Schools/Universities please request an Official Copy of Transcript (with GPA) to be sent directly to TESS Department. Students must also complete a written application through the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services before being formally admitted to the program, usually during the sophomore year.

Degree Map Early Childhood Education

For More Information

Dr. Graham Matthews, Associate Professor
Early Childhood Coordinator
Office: 204B Clay Hall
Phone: (615) 963-5029
Email: gmatthews2@tnstate.edu