Early Childhood Education & Intervention, B.A. – Online

In this program you will take a total of 120 credit hours consisting of general education courses (31-32 credit hours), foundation courses (15-16 credit hours), major courses (54 credit hours), and a selective list of elective courses (18 credit hours).

foundation courses (15-16 credit hours)

• EDUC 1100: Foundations of Education and Diversity in Schools – Prospect Curriculum
• SPED 2100: Exceptionality in Schools and Society
• ECEI 2111: Theoretical Foundations of Early Childhood Care and Education
• ECEI 2113: Introduction to Early Childhood Development and Developmentally Appropriate Practice
• ECEI 2114: Understanding Families: Theoretical Perspectives, Foundations, and Practice

major courses (54 credit hours)

• ELDT 4100: Foundations for Effective Technology Integration
• ECEI 4111: Foundations of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education
• ECEI 3112: Supporting Young Learners – Birth through Kindergarten: Introductory Methods
• ECEI 3210: Enhancing the Social Emotional Development of Young Children in Inclusive Settings
• ECEI 2412: Clinical I
• ECEI 4112: Assessment of Young Children with Disabilities: B-K
• ECEI 3114: Advanced Infant/Toddler Methods
• ECEI 4114: Integrated Learning Experiences: Advanced Methods Prek through Kindergarten
• ECEI 3412: Clinical II
• ECEI 4210: Developmental Interventions for Young Children with Disabilities: Birth through Kindergarten
• ECEI 4205: Integrated Instructional Applications
• ECEI 4118: Interdisciplinary and Family-Professional Partnerships
• ECEI 4412: Clinical III
• ECEI 4410: Student Teaching

elective courses (18 credit hours) – 5 Courses are Required

Students can tailor their degree through elective coursework in areas such as:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL)
• Children’s Literature and Childhood Studies Minor
• Public Health

Freshmen

• See University Admission Requirements 
• Minimum Overall GPA:  2.7
• Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  A minimum of 30 credit hours in approved college-level courses, and a grade of C or above in the following:
  • EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1511 
  • SPED 2100  
• A passing score on the Praxis Core exam or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores)
• Completion and clearance on the Criminal Background Check
• Signed Statement of Commitment to Professional Dispositions

Currently Enrolled Students

• Declaration of Major: The Early Childhood Education and Intervention major is intended to be started in the first semester of Junior year. Students should plan to declare the major no later than the second semester of the Sophomore year. Students must complete an “Application for Admission to a Teacher Education Program” in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) in the Cato College of Education. Students must apply for admission to a specific teacher education program and complete the admissions process in order to enroll in any professional education courses at the 3000 level or above.
• Students who intend to major in Early Childhood Education and Intervention and to earn B-K licensure are classified as Pre-Education students in Early Childhood Education and Intervention.  These students are assigned an advisor in the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL), who help students select appropriate General Education and elective courses, and who will help them meet the requirements for admission to teacher education. 
• All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements.

Transfer Students

For those who are transferring, the following is required:

• See University Admission Requirements  
• Minimum GPA:  Overall 2.7 and minimum 2.5 on all courses taken at the community college
• Degrees: A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education or similar title with curriculum acceptable to the department with 60-64 credit hours of coursework (transfer applicants not having the A.A.S. degree or its equivalent must meet University admission requirements)
• Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:
  • EDUC 1100 or EDUC 1511 (with grade of C or above by the end of the semester of application or the equivalent transferred community college courses)
  • SPED 2100 (with grade of C or above by the end of the semester of application or the equivalent transferred community college courses)
  • Prerequisite background courses for the program (a limited number of such background courses may be made up by taking them at UNC Charlotte)
  • A minimum of 31 credit hours in General Education courses that are taken as part of all North Carolina A.A.S. Early Childhood Education programs, plus additional University General Education requirements that may not be part of A.A.S. degree but are required to earn a Bachelor degree in Birth-Kindergarten (B-K) teaching licensure program
    • A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood (Licensure Track) with 31 credit hours of General Education courses follows the 2+2 Articulation Plan 
    • A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood (Non-Licensure Track) without 31 credit hours of General Education credits must complete additional General Education credits to meet the 31 credit hour requirement  
• A passing score on the Praxis Core exam or acceptable alternatives (SAT or ACT scores)
• Completion and clearance on the Criminal Background Check
• Signed Statement of Commitment to Professional Dispositions

Fall Admit only

Application Deadline: July 1
Transcripts and Documents Deadline: July 15
Term begins: August

For a degree to be conferred, students must successfully complete all program requirements which include:

• Minimum GPA of 2.7 to declare major
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained to remain enrolled.
• Students should plan to take EDUC 1100/EDUC 1511 and SPED 2100 during freshman year. 
• Students should plan to take ECEI 2111, ECEI 2113 and ECEI 2114 during sophomore year. 
• Grades in professional education courses must be C or above.
• Minimum overall GPA in professional education courses must be 2.75.
• Students may repeat a professional course once.
• Students may be dropped from a course if they register out of sequence.
• Meeting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s licensure requirements for certification. Consequently, additional requirements must be completed during the student’s program.  Since state licensure requirements often change, additional work may be required to complete the program with a teaching license.
  • All licensure requirements can be found on the Teacher Education Advising and Licensure website.
• A grade of P in student teaching with recommendation from Cooperating Teacher, University Supervisor, and Principal is required for licensure and graduation.​
• Passing score on edTPA is required for licensure and graduation.

UNC Charlotte graduates are making an impact across North Carolina and beyond. Many graduates are working locally in the Charlotte region, in neighboring counties, or within the state. Graduates go on to work for Cabarrus County Schools, Head Starts, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Gaston County Schools, Union County Schools, Children’s Developmental Services Agency, Meck Pre-K, local resource and referral agencies, and more.

According to Lightcast alumni data for the Child and Family Development program:

• 81% of graduates are employed in their field
• Graduates have an estimated average wage of $88,200
• Many alumni work in educational services, early childhood programs, and school systems

Our graduates have obtained jobs such as

• Public and Private Pre-K Teachers 
• Kindergarten Teachers
• Education Specialists 
• Family Services Coordinators 
• Early Intervention Providers 
• Child Life Specialists
• Social Services Agencies
• Nonprofits 
• Adoption Agencies 
• Agencies that serve children with special needs 
• Family Support Providers 

Earn Your Degree Fully Online
Complete your coursework without commuting to campus while maintaining connections with faculty and classmates. Our classes are both synchronous and asynchronous and are designed to support learner needs.

Learn from Experts
Our faculty are recognized researchers and practitioners in:

• Early Childhood Education
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Early Intervention
• Family Support and Advocacy

Faculty are committed to mentoring students and helping them succeed academically and professionally.

Gain Meaningful Experience
Clinical experiences every semester and a year-long internship help you graduate with practical skills and professional confidence.

Prepare for Licensure
The program prepares graduates for the North Carolina Initial Professional License in Birth-Kindergarten Education.

Join a Nationally Recognized University
UNC Charlotte is ranked among the nation’s top online bachelor’s degree programs by U.S. News & World Report and is known for delivering high-quality, career-focused education.