蒙大拿州立大学

The early childhood education and child services (ECE & CS) major emphasizes the dual focus of education and services within the context of family, school, and community. Throughout the program, students are actively engaged in a variety of settings that include children, their families, and other early childhood professionals. Course work and field experience provide multiple opportunities for applied understanding of children's growth and development, building family and community relationships, conducting observations and assessments, understanding developmentally appropriate practices, and promoting the well-being of young children and their families.

Graduates of the ECE & CS program are highly qualified for preschool-grade 3 teaching, administration, and advocacy careers in a wide variety of settings including public and private early childhood education, early intervention and preschool special education settings, child-focused programs, and community agencies, state or federal agencies, and nonprofit settings that support children and families. The ECE & CS major provides a strong background for admission to graduate programs in early childhood education, child development, child and family studies, social work, counseling, and other related behavioral and social science disciplines.

Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all required courses as outlined in the major.

Child Development Option

The Child Development option of the Early Childhood Education and Child Services major will appeal to students with professional interests including parent education, early intervention, resource and referral, advocacy, and childcare administration. Students seeking teaching careers in non-public school settings with children birth through age 8 will also be well prepared through the Child Development option.

Preschool-Grade 3 (P-3) Option

The Early Childhood Education & Child Services P-3 option is designed for students who wish to become licensed to teach preschool through grade 3. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible for licensure in the state of Montana.