Bachelor of Science in
Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education Programs at LSU stand out as a beacon of excellence, recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and meticulously designed to align with the organization's professional preparation standards.
Our programs offer teacher candidates the opportunity to choose between Birth-K Teacher Certification or PK-3 Teacher Certification. Both pathways operate in cohorts, fostering collegial relationships that have proven effective for personal and professional growth. Through field-based professional blocks and student teaching experiences in diverse professional development school settings, candidates gain valuable hands-on experience and exposure to various teaching environments.
Over the course of this four-year program, teacher candidates delve into evidence-based and developmentally appropriate teaching practices. The program emphasizes highly intentional connections between course content and field experiences, ensuring a rich understanding of the research-to-practice foundations of early education.
By the time you finish your degree, you will have accrued experience across birth through third grade, including working with children with exceptionalities.
QUICK LINKS
Meet the FacultyYearlong Teaching Residency
In order to begin the Junior Year of the Early Childhood Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least a 2.5 LSU and 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Have all non-Junior/Senior year coursework completed with a grade of “C” or higher by the start of the Fall semester.
Please note: Only one outstanding course is allowed to be taken with Block I courses in the Fall semester, provided the course DOES NOT conflict with Block I courses.
Students who do not meet all three criteria above will not be interviewed by the faculty committee until all requirements are met.
Students who complete the program are eligible for:
- Birth-K Teacher Certification
- PreK-3 Teacher Certification
What You'll Learn
Overall, graduates of the program will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to become effective leaders and managers in a variety of industries and settings.
Some of the learning outcomes include:
- Develop challenging learning experiences taking into account children's individual strengths and needs
- Work respectfully with families to gain insight into each child to maximize their development, learning, and motivation
- Apply content and curricular knowledge for teaching
- Administer assessments to determine students' competencies and learning needs
- Plan instruction including goals, materials, learning activities and assessments
- Manage the classroom by establishing social norms and behavioral expectations
- Support motivation and engagement through evidence-based practices
Career Path
Some of the potential career paths for graduates of this program include:
- Pre-school teacher
- Elementary teacher
- Coordinating parent programs
- Working with parents and community agencies
$52,660
2021 average Classroom Teacher salary
- Louisiana Believes
2
living, learning laboratories on campusEarly Childhood Laboratory Preschool & University Laboratory School
Teacher Education Disclosure
The Early Childhood Education BS program, (B-K; PK-3), meets the educational eligibility criteria for certification in Early Childhood B-K in the State of Louisiana. Graduates of this Louisiana state-approved teacher preparation program will qualify for a Level 1 Professional Certificate. Graduates of the program who wish to teach in another U.S. state or country may require additional eligibility criteria to qualify for licensure and/or certification in those locations. We are unable to confirm the licensure and/or certification requirements of other states or countries. Therefore, if you intend to pursue such credentialing in another state or elsewhere, it is advised that you contact the applicable state or country credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if this program meets the applicable eligibility criteria. If you have additional questions in this regard, please contact us to assist you in your career planning.
Procedures for filing appeals and complaints are accessed here.
Contact Us
Cynthia F. DiCarlo, PhD
123B Peabody Hall
225-578-7005
cdicar2@lsu.edu
Office of Student Services
1240 Huey P. Long Field House
225-578-2331
chseinfo@lsu.edu