Early Childhood Human Development

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

About

Do more than just watch them grow—be part of their journey. 

Introduction

During a child’s first years, physical, emotional, and social growth happen at rapid speeds. Learning opportunities are everywhere as these young minds take in the world around them like sponges. Pre-school, Head Start, and other early learning professionals play such an important role in this development—and opportunities are on the rise.

Prospective early learning teachers and future directors of child care centers will have the opportunity to acquire the skills and understanding that will enable them to stimulate the sensory and cognitive abilities of the child through exploration, experimentation, and discovery.

Qualified Teacher Education

In the Department of Teaching and Learning, our goal is to prepare well-qualified early learning professionals, such as early learning center teachers and directors, as well as pre-school program and Head Start teachers, to champion support for the early learners’ broad range of needs. Our students graduate with the skills to manage daily operations, plan foundational academic lessons, as well as collect and analyze data to make informed decisions.

We also expose students to real-world classroom environments through on-site field experiences with our local childcare center and school partners. These classroom experiences help our students:

  • Analyze teaching situations and challenges

  • Select, organize, and present subject matter

  • Use evaluation techniques on teaching and learning results

  • Apply theories and principles of learning 

What You'll Learn

You'll learn how to encourage healthy childhood development through:

  • Planning and engaging children in exploration, experimentation, and discovery activities 

  • Nurturing self-awareness and identity of feelings and how to manage them

  • Teaching situational awareness and adaptability in practical and real-world contexts

  • Encouraging self-awareness and independence within the larger community

  • Building and maintaining positive relationships with peers, teachers, and within the community

  • Planning and implementing learning activities to develop effective communication skills

  • Planning and implementing culturally appropriate literacy lessons on topics including, the alphabet, new words, and story composition 

  • Planning and implementing culturally appropriate numeracy lessons on topics including, numbers, shapes, and problem-solving  

  • Fostering fine and gross motor skills 

Students studying

750+ Course Options

The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood —Human Development, majors must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among: 

  • General Education Requirements, or GERs (45 credits)
  • Program requirements (75 credits)

Review the course descriptions to learn more about different types of major requirements.

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All early childhood human development majors must take (or transfer in) 45 credits.

Course credits Name
ENGl 101 3 English Composition I
ENGL 102 3 English Composition II

WLIT 207

3

World Literature

HIST 205 3 African American History I

HIST 206

3

African American History II

BIOL 101 4 Biological Science

MATH 131

or

MATH 203

3

College Algebra

or

Basic Statistics

PHSC 101

4 Physical Science 

PSYC 201 

3

Introduction to Psychology

HEED 101 3 Personal Health
IDIS 103 3 Visual Arts and Theatre
SOCI 201 3

Introduction to Sociology

MISY 150 3 Technology Fluency
FRSEM 101 1 Freshman Seminar

Program Requirements (30 credits)

Course credits Name
MATH 103 3 Math for Elementary Teachers I
MATH 207 3 Technology-Based Math
PSYC 335 3 Developmental Psychology
ECED 336 3 Working with Parents

ENGL 321

3

Children's Literature

PSYC 304 3 Child Psychology
ENGL 305 3 Advanced Expository Writing 
ECON 103 3 Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurial Economics
MKTG 310 3 Principles of Marketing
MGMT 320 3 Principles of Management

Core Courses (45 credits)

Course credits Name
ECED 301 3 Child Growth and Physiological Development
ECED 329 3 Principles and Practicum in Early Childhood
ECED 334 3 Creative Expression

EDUC 202

3

Educational Psychology

EDUC 300 3 Foundations of Reading
ECED 201 3 Learning Lab
EDUC 200 3 History of Education
EDUC 408 3 Measurement and Evaluation

REED 401

3 Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Disorders

REED 405

3

Strategies and Materials for Teaching Reading

SPED 201 3 Introduction to Needs of Exceptional Individuals
ECED 339 3 Social Emotional Development
ECED 340 3 Introduction to Childcare
ECED 344 3 Nutrition, Health, Safety, and Childhood
ECED 347 3 Before and After Care

Remember! You must complete all major and prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Degree Plan

This plan is only for example purposes. Your academic journey may be slightly different from another student’s, so be sure to always communicate with your academic advisor before finalizing your course schedule.

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 101 3 English Composition I
PSYC 201 3 General Psychology 

MATH 131

or

MATH 203

3

College Algebra

or

Basic Statistics

IDIS 103 3 Visual Arts & Theatre
MISY 150 3 Technology Fluency
FRSEM 101 1 Freshman Seminar

Spring Semester (16 credits)

course credits name
ENGL 102 3 English Composition II
MATH 103 3 Math for Elementary Teachers II
BIOL 101 4 Biological Science 
HIST 205 3 African American History I
HEED 101 3 Personal Health

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
MATH 104 3 Math for Elementary Teachers I
PHSC 101 4 Physical Science
WLIT 207 3 World Literature
PHIL 102 3 Introduction to Philosophy
HIST 206 3 African American History II

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
ECON 103 3 Introduction to Business Interpretation
EDUC 202 3 Educational Psychology
SPED 201 3 Introduction to Exceptional Individuals
EDUC 201 3 Introduction to Race and Inequality
SOCI 201 3 Introduction to Sociology

Fall Semester (18 credits)

Course credits name
ECED 201 3 Learning Lab
EDUC 300 3 Foundations of Reading
ECED 301 3 Child Growth and Physical Development
ENGL 321 3 Children's Literature
ENGL 329 3 Principles and Practices in EC

Spring Semester (15 credits)

course credits name
EDUC 330 3 Culture and Cognition
ECED 339 3 Social Emotional Development
PSYC 304 3 Child Psychology

ECED 340

3

Introduction to Childcare

EDUC 331 3 Practice What You Teach

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 305 3 Advanced Expository Writing
MGMT 320 3 Principles of Management
PSYC 335 3 Developmental Psychology
ECED 344 3 Nutrition, Health, and Safety
ECED 347 3 Before and After Care

Spring Semester (12 credits)

Course credits Name
REED 401 3 Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Disorders
REED 405 3 Reading Materials and Strategies
EDUC 408 3 Measurement and Evaluation

MGMT 420

or

MKTG 310

3

Small Business Management 

 

Marketing for Managers

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Early Childhood Human Development lives in the Department of Teaching and Learning in the School of Education within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education.