What you will study
As an Early Childhood Education minor, you’ll become well-grounded in theory and have
a strong command of content knowledge and instructional strategies. Your minor, along
with the BSE in Early Childhood Education, will ensure that you’re prepared to teach
children from birth to grade 3.
Courses you may take include:
- Early Childhood Principles and Observation: Build a critical understanding of how to observe and record early learners’ behavior
and translate your findings into best teaching practices.
- Development and Learning Through Play: Demonstrate how to implement a play-based curriculum in diverse settings and connect
play to learning and development.
- Curriculum Design and Assessment: Use formal and informal assessment strategies to design individualized student programs.
Excellence in Early Childhood Education
- Longest continuously CAEP-accredited public institution in Missouri, UCM has a tradition of excellence in education. We
were originally founded as a training school for teachers and continue to be known
for our high-quality teaching programs, including the Early Childhood Education MSE
in Leadership.
- A Best Value College for Elementary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Popular College for Teacher Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Most Popular Master’s Degree Colleges for Teacher Education Grade Specific (College
Factual, 2022)
- Top 6%: Most Popular Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- A Most Popular Master’s Degree College for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 10%: Best Colleges for Education for Non-Traditional Students (College Factual, 2021)
- A Best Online Masters in Online Teaching Degree Programs (Intelligent, 2021)
- Top 50: Masters in Elementary Education Degree Programs (Most Flexible Admissions) (Intelligent,
2021)
- Among the Best Online Masters in Elementary Education Degree Programs by (Intelligent, 2021)
Unique learning opportunities in the Early Childhood Education minor
UCM embodies a constructionist approach. We believe the best educators are those who
are exposed to multiple sources of information and methods of teaching.
The Early Childhood Education minor for BSE program offers:
- Continual development support: As a BSE minor, you’ll be supported in learning through a clinical approach to teaching.
Gain experience with various age groups and in classrooms in diverse MO school districts
while planning with peers, professors and active teachers.
- International teaching experience: UCM sponsors two trips abroad each year that are directly connected to BSE program
coursework. Collaboration with education professionals in other countries helps broaden
your perspective.
- Discipline-specific student organizations: Join the Early Childhood Young Professionals (ECYP), an affiliate of the state NAEYC,
as well as the Missouri State Teachers’ Association and the Student Council for the
Exceptional Child.
- Flexibility: The Early Childhood Education minor for BSE is offered full-time or part-time and
in person at our Warrensburg campus. Some of our classes are also offered online for
additional scheduling flexibility.
What can you do with an Early Childhood Education minor from UCM?
Adding an Early Childhood Education minor to your BSE degree helps lay the foundation
for work with young children and their families. You’ll build the skills you need
to positively contribute to their future success.
The content area expertise you’ll gain with your ECE minor is excellent preparation
for an advanced degree, including UCM’s new, innovative certificate options:
Some BSE graduates who also completed this minor now teach in public schools and preschools.
Others teach in charter and private preschools, early childhood centers and religious
community programs.
Careers for early childhood educators
Plan for your future in early childhood teaching using the interactive tool below.
You can gain insights into salary potential, job outlooks and more.
Financial assistance options for your Early Childhood Education minor
The University of Central Missouri’s tuition is lower than that of many colleges in
the state — and the national average. Plus, 94% of UCM undergraduate students receive
financial aid.
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans and scholarships. Many scholarship
opportunities specific to early childhood education are available for undergraduate
students, including ECE minors. For example, you could qualify for:
- Merle and Maxine Rider Scholarship
- Mildred Putnam in Early Childhood Education Scholarship
- Colene Smyer-Hank and Harvey Hank Scholarship
- Christy Cox Whitley Memorial Scholarship
- Dr. Shela D. Synder Teacher Education Scholarship
- Fannie Faulkner Seevers Memorial Scholarship
- Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Scholarship
- Curriculum and Instruction Retired Faculty Outstanding Student Teacher Award
Learn more about program-specific scholarships by using the .
Excellence Since 1871
Education pioneers
Since our founding in 1871, the University of Central Missouri has taken pride in
producing the finest teachers in the state. Collaborate, study and practice your teaching
skills in an environment that promotes the power of knowledge.
Meet Emma B.
BSE Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education Minor for BSE ’22
“I chose UCM’s Early Childhood Program because I felt like it was the best place to
learn all I needed to reach my goal to help build young students’ love for learning.
I was absolutely right!”
Meet Our Faculty
Dedicated to supporting you
UCM’s ECE program faculty members provide individualized advice to help you meet your
educational and career goals. They’ll help you weigh advanced education options, build
your resume and practice interview skills. Our faculty are also active in research
and authoring leading publications focused on education. As an undergraduate ECE student,
you may be able to join them in their studies.
History of Graduate Success
John Finnane, Assistant Superintendent, Warrensburg School District
“Early childhood candidates from UCM have robust skill sets, confidence that stands
out and the ability to receive and apply feedback. The result of a strong partnership
between school districts and the [ECE] program is the development of highly skilled
candidates who become outstanding professional educators.”
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