The Early Childhood Education program emphasizes the dual focus of the education and care of children from birth through age eight within the context of families, schools, communities, and society.  The program focuses on early education, child development, developmentally appropriate practices, early intervention, business and administration, research methods, and working directly with children and families in a variety of early childhood and human service settings. Students study a range of early childhood issues including development across the lifespan; children with special needs, relationships, management, and curriculum in early childhood, administration of human services delivery, assessment and intervention, working with diverse families, and ethics and professionalism. The program provides opportunities for students to work directly with children and families in the Child Development Center (accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children) and in human service and community agencies that serve the needs of children and families.

The Early Childhood Education program provides a strong background for students seeking careers in a wide variety of early childhood settings including child care and child care-related businesses, human services and community agencies, state or federal early childhood agencies, and nonprofit settings that support children and families. In addition, the curriculum prepares students for admission to graduate programs in early childhood education, child development, and other related behavioral and social science disciplines.