Early Childhood Studies
You Can Make a Difference
The Early Childhood Studies (ECS) program is distinctive because the major emphasizes the first eight years of life and the significance of this period in children's overall development. While at Cal Poly Pomona, Early Childhood Studies students learn processes important for early childhood development and identify implications of theory in the examination and application of principles and practices within diverse family, program, and community contexts.
About the Program
Our Values
The ECS Department advocates for equity and intersectional understanding of systems of oppression that are currently in play in early learning and care (ELC).
Program Highlights
- First 4-year university in California to be NAEYC Accredited
- Multilingual Teaching Pathway
- Field work and practicum in diverse early learning and care settings
Career Opportunities
- Infant-toddler teacher
- Preschool teacher
- Elementary teacher (after post-baccalaureate program)
New Program Options
Early Childhood Teaching
Provides students with the skills, knowledge, dispositions and experience to work with children ages birth to eight. The culminating course requires students to complete 60 hours in an ELC setting under the supervision of a mentor teacher and faculty member.Non-Teaching Option
Provides students with the competencies to work with young children and families in diverse contexts based on their career goals and interest (i.e., social work, child life, school psychology, counseling etc.).Multilingual Teaching
California is a culturally and linguistically diverse state with a growing desire to have a strong multilingual early learning and care workforce. Students will be expected to specialize in a language (such as Spanish) so that they can become dual language educators.ITEP Mild/Moderate
Provides students the opportunity to get their BA in ECS and credentials in Special Education in 4 years. This option is specifically for students interested in working with special education children in mild to moderate classrooms.ITEP Extensive Support
Provides students the opportunity to get their BA in ECS and credentials in Special Education in 4 years. This is specifically for students interested in working with special education children in extensive support classrooms.P-3rd Grade Teaching
This option allows transfer students to obtain the competencies to become transitional kindergarten (TK) teachers. Students receive a combination of teacher preparation and early childhood development coursework.
NAEYC Accredited
The Early Childhood Studies BA at Cal Poly Pomona is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The current accreditation term runs from March 2021 to September 2023.