Human Services - Early Childhood Education

The BS in Human Services: Early Childhood Education (ages 0-6) educates students to serve as early childhood professionals who (1) create high quality, collaborative, comprehension, consistent, culturally congruent environments for all children; and (2) support and validate parents and families, so that communities will be empowered to achieve social and economic justice. The children you work with thrive on the activity they find in their early care settings. Springfield College mirrors that energy in our authentic learning experience.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the employment of early childhood education workers is projected to grow 15% percent by 2031. This is a faster increase in employment growth than on average for all occupations.

A bachelor’s degree and experience in early childhood education are typically required to become a preschool and child care center director. In many regions, a bachelor’s degree is required in order to work as an early childhood educator or administrator. However, the educational requirements can vary by state. Some states or employers require workers to have a nationally recognized credential, such as the Child Development Associate (CDA). Springfield College awards 18 undergraduate credits to students who have completed requirements for the CDA.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a concentration in early childhood education can become:

• Early Childhood or Preschool Teachers

• Parent-child Educators

• Early Childhood Administrators

• Curriculum Development

• Training

• Management

• Employers may be private or public child care centers or preschools

• Organizations that offer childcare include employers, family child care centers, health clubs, religious centers

• Government centers employing early childhood educators include Head Start and Health and Human Services departments