When you invest in the earliest years, the possibilities are endless.
The study of Early Childhood Development is designed to help you fully understand and facilitate growth and development of children from birth through eight years of age.
Faculty with decades of experience in the field provide a strong foundation in both theory and practice. You’ll learn to serve the unique needs of young children, including those with special needs.
Courses focus on best practices and teaching strategies for serving young learners based on guiding documents from the California State Department of Education.
Completion of the ECD degree prepares you academically, spiritually, and professionally through a hands-on, real-life approach to teaching and learning.
Program Highlights
Choose between face-to-face or fully online program options
Meet for class one night per week
Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
Engage with classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds.
Meet state standards with curriculum aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations, published by the California State Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children standards for baccalaureate degrees. Curriculum is also aligned with the California Teaching Performance Expectations, published by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Mission Statement. It is the mission of the Early Childhood Development program to prepare students with the knowledge, theory and practical experience necessary to plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate experiences for young children and their families in a variety of settings while nurturing Christian commitment through integration of faith, values and ethics.
Benefits/Careers. This degree prepares graduates to pursue a career in early childhood education, including positions in public and private preschools, churches and businesses that offer preschool for the children of their employees. Graduates are also prepared to pursue additional credentials and certificates to become educators in PreK, TK, and K through 2nd grade levels in elementary schools and special education programs. The program offers a firm foundation for graduate studies towards positions such as career counselors with child and family services organizations and in the area of social work and similar post baccalaureate programs.
Special Features. Threaded throughout the ECD program are topics which address the needs of children with exceptionalities, the application of technology for best practices in the classroom and beyond. The application of various guiding documents within the field of early childhood education, including Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks from the California Department of Education, the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) the CA Common Core State Content Standards and others are applied through the program.
Description. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Development is interdisciplinary and designed to help students better understand the growth and development of children from birth through age eight years. Courses focus on the total environment of the child as part of the learning experience by incorporating a strong foundation in theory and practice through a holistic, constructivist approach, which addresses the diversity and special needs of the young child. Coursework also prepares students to work with children with exceptionalities/special needs. Curriculum is aligned with the Learning Foundations published by the California State Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for baccalaureate degrees. Students meet subject matter competence in six categories identified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Admissions Requirements
Application form and fee
A minimum 2.4 GPA, below 2.4 can submit a petition
Two years' postsecondary work experience.
Need a minimum of 6 transferable units, below 6 units can submit a petition
Note: need 60 units before starting the major
Program Student Learning Outcomes
FPU Early Childhood Development baccalaureate degree core program SLO's are based on NCATE national standards for initial licensure/baccalaureate degrees found at naeyc.org/files/ncate/file/initiallicensure.pdf
Students demonstrate their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on children's development and learning, by designing plans for environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children.
Students demonstrate their knowledge, understanding, and value of the importance and complex characteristics of children's families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their children's development and learning.
Students demonstrate knowledge and understanding about the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. Students show evidence of how to use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development and learning.
Students integrate their understanding of and relationships with children and families; their understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching and learning; and their knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
Students identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on their work, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources. They are informed advocates for sound educational practices and policies.
Students will submit assignments following APA Format and ECD Writing Skills Guidelines as instructed in course materials.
Credit-Bearing Grades
Students must earn a C- or higher in all Early Childhood Development core courses to receive credit.
Program Length/Semester Starts
Eighteen-month program, starting in January and July.
Locations Offered
North 51ÁÔÆæ, Merced, Visalia Campuses and Online
Degree Pathways
Early Childhood Development, B.A. (DC) Two Year Pathway
Early Childhood Development, B.A. ADT Pathway
General Education Requirements
See General Education: Degree Completion Students Â
Required Courses (39 Units)
The following units must be earned at 51ÁÔÆæ:
BIB 314 - Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3
BIB 438 - Biblical Perspectives for Educators Credits 3
ECD 300 - Advanced Child Family and Community Credits 3
ECD 305 - Advanced Child Growth and Development Credits 3
ECD 310 - Human Diversity and Relations Credits 3
ECD 400 - Children's Play and Learning Theory Credits 3
ECD 420 - Guidance in Social and Emotional Behaviors Credits 3
ECD 430 - Early Childhood Physical Education Methods Credits 3
ECD 440 - Students with Exceptionalities in School and Community Credits 3
ECD 450 - Children's Art and Literature Credits 3
ECD 460 - Math and Science for Young Children Credits 3
ECD 470 - Curriculum Development for Early Childhood Education Credits 3
ECD 484 - Child Observation Methods Credits 3
Electives
Elective units as needed to meet the Bachelor of Arts minimum. This requirement may be met through allowable college coursework, Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, and Military or ACE credit.
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.
First Steps to Admission
Submit an application for admission (online) * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).​â¶Ä‹
Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253) Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans.
Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu
1. Child and Adolescent Development (AA-T) to Early Childhood Development, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
BA major has no lower-division major or co-requisite courses that could be fulfilled by the ADT.
All BA major courses are upper-division and are completed at FPU.
This program is offered as evening accelerated and online accelerated
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
2. Early Childhood Education (AS-T) to Early Childhood Development, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
BA major has no lower-division major or co-requisite courses that could be fulfilled by the ADT.
All BA major courses are upper-division and are completed at FPU.
This program is offered as evening accelerated and online accelerated
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
3. Psychology (AA-T) to Early Childhood Development, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
BA major has no lower-division major or co-requisite courses that could be fulfilled by the ADT.
All BA major courses are upper-division and are completed at FPU.
This program is offered as evening accelerated and online accelerated
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
4. Sociology (AA-T) to Early Childhood Development, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
BA major has no lower-division major or co-requisite courses that could be fulfilled by the ADT.
All BA major courses are upper-division and are completed at FPU.
This program is offered as evening accelerated and online accelerated
Transfer Agreements
The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:
Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
Baccalaureate-level courses
Grade of C- or better
Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements
*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.
Non-traditional Admission
Steps for Re-admission
To reenter into the Degree Completion program within 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to complete the Degree Completion Re-admission Form. An academic advisor will determine if the student may reenter and if any conditions apply for readmission. The student will be charged at the current tuition rate for any course repeated.
*Note: If student is readmitting after 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to refer to “First Steps to Admission".
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
The non-matriculated application is for people who are interested in taking baccalaureate classes through the Degree Completion program, but are not seeking to be admitted into that program. Students must complete this Non-matriculated Application Form only once in order to be qualified to take courses. Applicants must also meet the two-year post-secondary experience requirement to take these courses. Financial Aid is not available, and the course limit is six units per semester with a limit of two semesters total.
For more information, or for help filling out this application, please contact Graduate and Degree Completion Admissions at (559) 453-3690.
State Authorization
State authorization is a federal requirement in the Higher Education Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. 51ÁÔÆæ works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, 51ÁÔÆæ has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but nine states: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Business Administration: Business Management, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Emergency Management, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Health Care Administration, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Health Care Administration, Informatics and Technology, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Organizational Leadership, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Project Management, B.A.
$550
Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A.
$525
Computer Information Systems, B.A.
$525
Criminology, B.A.
$525
Early Childhood Development, B.A.
$550
Liberal Arts, B.A.
$550
Psychology, B.A.
$550
RN to BSN, BSN
$525
Social Welfare, B.A.
$550
Social Work, B.A.
$550
General Education Courses
$550
Elective Courses
$550
Other Costs
Amount
Student services fee (per semester)
$100
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Types of aid
Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for careers in early childhood education or to pursue credentials and certificates to become educators in elementary schools and special education programs, or work as career counselors with child and family services.
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.