Early Childhood Unified (ECU) Birth through Kindergarten Major
Pathway to Licensure
The ECU program prepares you to nurture babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. Graduates are eligible for a Kansas teaching license covering general and special education up to kindergarten.
Comprehensive Curriculum
From understanding child development to implementing effective teaching strategies, you'll gain the essential knowledge needed to support children's growth during their most formative years.
Early Childhood Preschool Lab
Pitt State houses a preschool for local families, acting as a training lab for Child Development and Early Childhood Education majors. Develop learning activities on campus for children ages 3-5.
Be in the Classroom
Shadow teachers at local schools, then gain practical experience teaching both kindergarten and pre-K children.
Teach Unified
Foster inclusive settings to meet the learning needs of all children up to kindergarten, including those with special needs.
Little Gorillas Preschool
Provide high-quality care and education for children in a supportive environment on campus.
Savannah Schwab puts Learning into Practice
By graduation, Savannah completed 640 hours in a Child Life clinical internship at Children’s Mercy Hospital and 250 clinical hours at two other hospitals.
Early Childhood Unified (ECU) Birth through Kindergarten Careers
Our graduates have a wide range of career opportunities in the field of early childhood education. Here are some potential career paths you can pursue:
- Preschool Teacher: Help young children develop foundational skills and prepare for elementary school. You will create lesson plans, facilitate activities, and create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment.
- Kindergarten Teacher: Guide children through their first year of formal education. You will focus on developing literacy, numeracy, and social skills while fostering a love for learning.
- Early Intervention Specialist: Work with infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities. You will provide early intervention services, assess developmental needs, and create individualized plans.
- Childcare Center Director: Oversee the daily operations of a childcare facility, manage staff, ensure compliance with regulations, develop educational programs, and maintain a safe and nurturing environment for children.
- Early Childhood Program Coordinator: Design and implement early childhood programs, train teachers, collaborate with community partners, and advocate for quality early childhood education.
- Early Childhood Education Consultant: Offer guidance to educational institutions, policymakers, or organizations. You may provide professional development workshops, curriculum development assistance, or policy recommendations to improve early childhood education practices.
- Parent Educator: Work with parents and families, providing them with resources and guidance on early childhood development, parenting strategies, and educational activities.
- Child Development Researcher: Conduct research studies, analyze data, and publish findings. Your research can help inform best practices, shape policies, and contribute to the overall understanding of child development and education.
Additional information
for the Department of Teaching and Leadership
Catalog – see program guides