Early Childhood Education Major

Combining classroom and practical experiences, the early childhood education major offers the strong foundation you need to understand the developmental and educational needs of young children.

Why Earn a Degree in Early Childhood Education?

Towson University has been a leader in teacher preparation for 150 years, and its programs are recognized for their high quality and innovation. Our early childhood education major provides a strong academic foundation and real-world experiences that help beginning teachers understand how young children develop and learn. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills and dispositions you need to teach in the preschool and primary grades. Find out more about the advantages of studying early childhood education at Towson University.

What the Program Offers

The early childhood education major leads to Maryland State certification to teach children from birth through grade 3. The program offers:

  • preparation for teachers to become facilitators of active learning in developmentally appropriate environments
  • one of the largest early childhood education faculties in the nation with a broad range of expertise in topics critical to the field
  • required academic advising with supportive faculty that includes one-on-one strategic and progressive planning across all years at the university
  • a department committed to children, family and community, working in close collaboration with school systems
  • Center for Professional Practice that connects students to student internships

Admission Requirements

Early childhood education is a screened major, and all applicants must meet specified requirements to be considered for admission. View requirements for admission to the major.

Degree Requirements

You can view degree requirements and a four-year plan of study in the Undergraduate Catalog.

why towson University?

Program Advantages

  • Towson University’s long history and reputation as an excellent teacher training institution
  • programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Maryland State Department of Education
  • 15:1 student-faculty ratio
  • 100% of students begin part-time student internships in their junior year
  • teacher preparation in a wide variety of settings, including urban, suburban and rural schools
  • technology training to extend and enhance learning experiences in the classroom
  • commitment to teaching, scholarship and service

Off-Campus Locations

The early childhood education major is also offered at the Universities at Shady Grove for students who received an A.A.T. degree from Frederick Community College or Montgomery Community College. Admission and degree requirements for this program are the same as those offered on campus. For more information, please email or call 410-704-7700. Or contact the ECED Program Coordinator at USG or ECED Chairperson.