Early Childhood Education and Child Services Major
Enhancing the Development, Education and Well-Being of Young Children and their Families
The early childhood education and child services major emphasizes the dual focus of
education and services within the context of families, educational and child service
settings, communities, and society.
Graduates of the ECE&CS program are highly qualified for preschool-grade 3 teaching,
administration, and advocacy careers in a wide variety of settings including public
and private early childhood education, early intervention and preschool special education
settings, child-focused programs, and community agencies, state or federal agencies,
and nonprofit settings that support children and families. The ECE&CS major provides
a strong background for admission to graduate programs in early childhood education,
child development, child and family studies, social work, counseling, and other related
behavioral and social science disciplines.
Child Development Option
The Child Development option of the Early Childhood Education and Child Services major will appeal to students with professional interests including parent education, early intervention, resource and referral, advocacy, and childcare administration. Students seeking teaching careers in non-public school settings with children birth through age 8 will also be well prepared through the Child Development option.
Preschool-Grade 3 (P-3) Option
The Early Childhood Education & Child Services P-3 option is designed for students who wish to become licensed to teach preschool through grade 3. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible for licensure in the state of Montana. For more information on admission to the Teacher Education Program, student teaching, licensure, professional expectations, and more, please visit the Teacher Education Program page in the MSU Catalog.
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Early childhood program leadership and management (director, manager, administrator)
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Early childhood educator (lead teacher working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and P-3)
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Pre-K/elementary special educator
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Behavioral support specialist
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Famiy support services (home visitor, parent educator, family advocate)
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Professional development specialist (consultant, coach)
- Speech language pathologist
- Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
- Occupational therapist
- Marriage and family counselor
- Play therapist
- Early childhood mental health consultant
Faculty
