BSEd in Early Childhood Education

Degree Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood will prepare you to work with children from birth through third grade in public, private, and alternative school systems. Students consider a degree in education if they enjoy working with children and/or adolescents, want to strengthen the future through education, and want to make a difference in the lives of others. MU Students work closely with mentors, practicing teachers, administrators, and university faculty to develop the knowledge and skills to enhance learning outcomes for children and youth. The coursework through the College of Education & Human Development focuses on teachers’ roles in facilitating learning at all levels of development and considers the influences of cultural, political, historical, and economic factors on students, teachers, and schools. Upon successful completion of the initial teacher certification process, the state grants you certification in early childhood education. Practical and rewarding clinical experience in schools and agencies, which will enhance your teaching abilities and confidence, begins during the sophomore year, and continues each semester, culminating in a senior-level teaching internship. Coursework within Early Childhood will challenge you to consider ways to support the development and learning of young children from birth through age eight.

Major Program Requirements

Students must complete all university, general education, and content requirements, in addition to degree requirements. Please meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss degree requirements and to create a semester plan.

Teacher Education programs in the College of Education & Human Development are accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Curriculum changes mandated to earn teacher certification may become effective at any point during your academic program. Therefore, it is extremely important that you DO NOT SELF ADVISE.

Degree Requirements Sample Program

Additional Subject/Concentration-Choose One of the following options:3
Child Development: Preschool to Pre-Adolescence
Child Development: Preschool to Pre-Adolescence - Writing Intensive
Principles of Human Development
Principles of Human Development - Writing Intensive
Principles of Human Development - Honors/Writing Intensive
Developmental Psychology
Developmental Psychology - Honors
Cultural Diversity Requirement-Choose one of the following, or a course from the Multicultural Certificate Course List *The course must be in addition to major Education and content course requirements (it cannot double dip with any other professional Education course requirement or content course requirement); however, it may count towards a general education requirement.3
Experiencing Cultural Diversity in the United States
Multicultural Study of Children and Families
or Multicultural Certificate Course (https://multicultural.missouri.edu/application/course-list/)
Early Experiences
LTC 1100Orientation (Recommended)1
or SPC_ED 1100 Orientation: Special Education
LTC 2200School Health and Student Wellbeing3
ESC_PS 2010Inquiry Into Learning I3
ESC_PS 2014Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience1
or ESC_PS 2014H Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience - Honors
LTC 2040Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society I3
or LTC 2040H Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society I - Honors
LTC 2044Inquiry into Schools, Community and Society: Field1
IS_LT 2467Inquiry into Empowering Learners with Technology3
Mid-Level Experiences
LTC 4110Working with Infants and Toddlers3
LTC 4120Early Childhood Education Literacy Methods & Assessment I3
LTC 4124Emergent and Developing Literacy Early Childhood Field Experience3
LTC 4210Children's Language and Literature3
LTC 4460Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages3
or LTC 4460H Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Honors
LTC 4140Curriculum, Theory and Classroom Management in Early Childhood Education3
LTC 4150Early Childhood Education Literacy Teaching Methods and Assessment II3
LTC 4170Program Management & Environmental Organization in PreKindergarten3
LTC 4971Internship and Capstone Seminar3
ED_LPA 4060Inquiring into Schools, Community and Society II3
SPC_ED 4020Teaching the Exceptional Learner3
Advanced-Level Experiences
LTC 4091Assessment and Family Collaboration in Early Childhood Education3
LTC 4130Teaching and Learning Math with Young Children9
LTC 4134Teaching & Learning Math, Sci & Soc Studies w/Young Children Field Experience3
LTC 4240Art for Children2
LTC 4971Internship and Capstone Seminar12
Internship and Capstone Seminar - Honors (Honors students can choose to enroll in 6 credit hours of LTC 4971H and 6 credit hours of 4971 to fulfill 12 hour requirement for Internship and Capstone Seminar)

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student’s actual plan may vary based on course choices and where options are available.    

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LTC 11001LTC 22003
ENGLSH 10003General Education Math Requirement3
Humanities3Humanities3
Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3American History or Government3
Elective3Elective3
 13 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ESC_PS 2010 or LTC 2040 (Social Science)3ESC_PS 2010 or LTC 2040 (Social Science)3
ESC_PS 2014 or LTC 20441ESC_PS 2014 or LTC 20441
IS_LT 24673Lab Science3
Biological, Physical, Mathematical Science3Humanities3
Additional Subject/ConcentrationH_D_FS 2400(W); H_D_FS 3150(W); PSYCH 24103Social or Behavioral Science3
Writing Intensive3Elective1
 16 14
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LTC 41103LTC 41703
LTC 41203LTC 49713
LTC 41243LTC 41403
LTC 42103LTC 41503
LTC 44603ED_LPA 40603
 SPC_ED 40203
 15 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
LTC 40913LTC 497112
LTC 42402 
LTC 41343 
LTC 4130 (Will change to: LTC 4130 (3), LTC 4131 (3), LTC 4132 (3))9 
 17 12
Total Credits: 120

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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