The early childhood education program at USI is designed to prepare you to become a reflective practitioner who knows and understands the communities in which you work, your students, and your subject area. You’ll learn to utilize research-based pedagogical practices that promote the well-being of young children in diverse and global settings. Clinical placements will provide you the opportunity to integrate course work with observation and participation in classroom practice and research. The early childhood program at USI offers you small class sizes, hands-on learning activities, and field experiences working with children at different age levels in local child care centers and public schools.
Students begin their journey taking their core courses, and apply for admission to the Teacher Education program after completing necessary program requirements.
The early childhood education major requires completion of a content area teaching minors. Any content area teaching minor approved by an advisor may fulfill this requirement. However, only the Reading - Teaching Minor and Social Science Teaching Minor for Elementary Education or Junior High/Middle School can be completed within 120 credit hours. Other available options that may exceed 120 credit hours include:
Check with your advisor for other possibilities.
To apply to the University of Southern Indiana (USI) for undergraduate enrollment:
Once USI has processed your application, transcript(s) and scores (if needed), a decision will be made by Undergraduate Admissions and you will receive a notification.
Upon acceptance to USI, you'll receive detailed information about next steps, including orientation, registration and housing.
As a graduate of the early childhood education program, you’ll earn a bachelor of science degree and the Indiana teaching license in the areas of preschool and elementary-primary (grades K-3). A bachelor of arts degree may be earned if the appropriate amount of foreign language courses are taken.
*income information provided by O*NET Online. Occupation opportunities vary by region and experience.
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
The University of Southern Indiana offers programs that lead to educator licensure in 20 areas. The cluster of all educator licensure programs is referred to as the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
The Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education has primary responsibility for the EPP and oversees functions that cut across 10 departments and two colleges, with the Teacher Education Department as the hub. Click here to learn more.
Requirements for licensure and certification vary by profession and by state. USI has reviewed the educational requirements for each state and licensing agency to determine if the academic program here at USI meets the educational requirements to be eligible for licensure/certification in each state or not. Please note that some states may have additional requirements for licensure, such as residency requirements, additional non-academic certifications, etc. that USI cannot determine. We encourage you to check with your state's licensing agency for all requirements needed to obtain licensure.
