Early Childhood
Bachelors Degree (4 years)
This program prepares students to become child care professionals who understand and meet the needs of children from birth to eight years of age. It also trains students to network with families of young children in a variety of settings. The curriculum combines the study of child psychology with preparation for a career in a variety of early childhood settings. The program has field experience and a series of supportive courses specializing in developing observational/assessment techniques, child guidance strategies and active learning teaching procedures.

Total Credits Required for Degree - 125 Credit Hours

Liberal Studies (30 - 40 credits and 2 HP):
(No more than 8 credits from one Department except in fulfilling I.)
I. Composition: 6 – 8 credit hours
II. Humanities: 6 – 8 credit hours
III. Natural Sciences / Math: 6 – 8 credit hours
IV. Social Sciences: 6 – 8 credit hours
V. Formal Communication: 3 – 4 credit hours
VI. Visual & Performing Arts: 3– 4 credit hours
      Graduation Requirements:
              - 300 + Level liberal studies course: 3 – 4 credit hours
              - Laboratory Requirement (PY100L / PY100H / PY204)
              - World Cultures Course: 3– 4 credit hours
              - Health Promotion (2hr):
                            HP200: Physical Well Being: 1 credit hour
                            Activities Course: 1 credit hour

Major (59 Hours):*
PY156: Dev Child Related Services - 2 credit hours
PY170: Educating the young child - 2 credit hours
PY241: Child Psychology** - 4 credit hours
HL242: Emergency Health Care - 2 credit hours
PY245: Infant/Toddler Development** - 4 credit hours
PY247: Infant/Toddler Programming - 2 credit hours
PY270: Activity Plan1: Creative Arts - 2 credit hours
PY272: Activity Plan 2: Science - 2 credit hours
PY285: DAPP** - 4 credit hours
PY290: DAPP Field Experience** - 4 credit hours
ED306: Children’s Literature - 3 credit hours
PY345: Psych of Exceptional Child - 4 credit hours
PY350: Observ/Assess of Children- 2 credit hours
PY352: Child Guidance - 4 credit hours
PY358: Meaning & Develop of Play- 4 credit hours
PY460: Admin. Preschool Programs- 2 credit hours
PY491: Practicum/Seminar - 4 credit hours
PY291: Junior Seminar (Recommended) - 2 credit hours
PY490: Senior Seminar (Recommended) - 2 credit hours

One course from:
HM100: Food Preparation - 4 credit hours
HN210: Human Nutrition - 4 credit hours

One course from:
PY102: Individual/Family Relations - 3 credit hours
SO232: Marriage and the Family- 4 credit hours

Minor (typically 20 hrs)

* 2.00 “C” GPA required in each course in the major.

** Departmental advanced placement credit is available for these courses for students who hold the appropriate Child Development Associate (CDA) credential(s). Students need to demonstrate successful completion of the training programs and be enrolled at Northern Michigan University.