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Bachelor of Arts

Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Special Education (B.A.)

This degree provides the knowledge and license to teach and help young children in general education and special education classes, as well as in home-based settings. Students will participate in multiple supervised intervention/teaching experiences with a partnered school district, on-campus lab, home, or center.
A student teacher engages with young children while a supervisor looks on

Early Childhood Education Introduction

Teacher candidates entering the Early Childhood Education / Early Childhood Special Education program gain real-world preparation for their career through the following experiences:

  • Obtaining excellent applied training in working with infants, toddlers, preschool, and elementary children grades K–3
  • Learning to access student needs using a variety of assessment tools
  • Gaining abilities and practice in planning instruction for a wide range of learners
  • Learning to collaborate with parents, therapists, case workers, etc.
  • Receiving knowledge and training in preparation for graduate school in a variety of fields including occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, etc.

Highlighted Courses

If you are interested in Early Childhood Education, start with one of the following major-specific courses:
April 08, 2026 01:25 PM
CHILD 210
April 08, 2026 01:30 PM
EDCOR 340
April 08, 2026 01:33 PM
SPED 380
April 08, 2026 01:32 PM
ED 405
April 08, 2026 01:31 PM
ECSE 421
April 08, 2026 01:29 PM
SPED 424
See Example Class Plan

Graduate Career-Ready

Graduates with a degree in Early Childhood Education have a wide array of rewarding careers before them. Check out some of the top careers students get with this degree or explore more career options in I-Plan.

BYU-Idaho Graduate Salaries

Graduates entering special education roles in Idaho can expect an average starting salary of approximately $50,064 with high demand for specialists in school districts and early intervention programs. Your earning potential increases as you gain experience or transition into specialized roles in developmental therapy and educational leadership.

Common Career Paths

You will be prepared to lead as a certified teacher for grades PreK through three or as an early interventionist working with children from birth to age three. This program features seven hands on practicum experiences to ensure you are confident in designing tailored curriculum and managing diverse classroom behaviors.

Preparation for Grad School

This major provides the rigorous academic and clinical foundation required to pursue advanced degrees in school psychology, speech language pathology, or educational leadership. You will graduate ready to excel in specialized master’s programs that lead to roles as a behavior specialist or a licensed school counselor.

AI in Academics

At BYU-Idaho, we are strategically integrating Artificial Intelligence to enhance academic excellence and prepare our students for an evolving world.

AI in Early Childhood Education
You will learn to leverage artificial intelligence to differentiate instruction for diverse learners and quickly modify curriculum to meet specific intervention goals. Our curriculum teaches you to use AI for generating engaging discussion prompts and personalized learning activities that honor each child's unique development.
Advance Knowledge, Enhancing Learning, and Developing Workforce Readiness
AI in Academics means learning to advance knowledge, enhancing learning, and developing workforce readiness through tools that support (not replace) your effort and integrity.

Related Majors

Next Steps With BYU-Idaho

Explore how to begin your academic journey at BYU-Idaho by starting your application today.
Learn how to update your academic path with simple instructions for requesting a major change.

Learn More About BYU-Idaho
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