Early Childhood Studies Launches New Program Options

In an effort to meet the needs of students, the general workforce and community at large, the Department of Early Childhood Studies (ECS) has replaced its program emphases with new program options in teaching and non-teaching tracks. 

The new options, which launched this semester, include: Early Childhood Teaching, Non-Teaching Option, Multilingual Teaching, Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) Mild/Moderate, ITEP Extensive Support and P-3rd Teaching.

The Early Childhood Teaching, Multilingual Teaching and P-3^rd Teaching options prepare students for multiple teaching contexts. Students who choose to teach children in childcare or preschool are qualified for the child development permit at the master teacher level upon graduating with their bachelor’s degree. Students who desire to teach in an elementary school context can continue on to a post-baccalaureate credential program after graduating from the ECS program. The ITEP programs allow its graduate to teach in K-12 special education classrooms at the conclusion of the program.

Non-teaching track options prepare students for graduate school in areas such as school counseling, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, nursing, child psychology and more. In all options of the ECS program, the department utilizes an anti-racist lens that values multilingual families, culturally competence and the individual’s funds of knowledge to teach all courses in child development and care.

“When the ECS program was developed, the ‘emphasis’ was used instead of the options, which did not reflect on a student’s transcript,” said Associate Professor Eden Haywood-Bird, chair of the ECS department.  “By adding the new program options, students will receive credit on their transcripts for the specialized training they completed through our program. In return, this will help students and graduates as they search for jobs that require a specific type of training in early childhood education and care.”

The ECS program, established in 2016, is one of the fastest growing majors at Cal Poly Pomona. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in the lives of children from prenatal to age eight and their families. Students in the program combine theory and practice while using a social justice lens that values diversity and advocates for racial, gendered and other underrepresented individuals in society.

In order to earn the ECS bachelor’s degree, students must complete a number of core classes and sub-core classes in their chosen program option. All program options require at least 60 hours of practicum in a classroom setting. ITEP students, who earn both their bachelor's degree and education specialist teaching credential at the conclusion of the program, are required to complete 600 hours of practicum in an special education classroom setting.

For more information about the new options, visit https://www.cpp.edu/ceis/early-childhood-studies/curriculum or email Associate Professor Haywood-Bird at ehaywoodbird@cpp.edu.