Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A Concentration In
Early Childhood
An emphasis within the B.S. in Elementary Education — specialize in teaching and nurturing our youngest learners.
Focus on Young Learners
Early literacy, development, and environments
Fieldwork-Rich
Four early-childhood fieldwork courses
Early Childhood Special Ed
Includes early-childhood special education
The earliest years of a child’s education set the foundation for everything that follows. The Early Childhood concentration prepares you to teach and nurture the youngest learners with the specialized knowledge and hands-on experience those years demand.
On top of the Elementary Education core, you’ll add nine credits focused on early childhood: early literacy, human development for young children, learning environments, and early-childhood special education — paired with four fieldwork courses and a capstone that put you in real early-childhood settings. You’ll graduate ready to specialize in the primary and early grades, with a Biblical Worldview that sees every young child as worth your patience and care.
Teach Early Literacy
Build the foundations of reading and language for young children.
Understand Young Children's Development
Study how young children grow, think, and learn.
Design Learning Environments
Create developmentally appropriate spaces and routines for young learners.
Support Every Young Learner
Learn early-childhood special education to reach children with diverse needs.
Practice in Real Settings
Apply your learning across four early-childhood fieldwork experiences.
Bring It Together
Integrate your early-childhood preparation in a capstone.
Teaching the youngest children is formative work — and a Biblical Worldview shapes how you understand the children in your care.
Every Child Bears God's Image
Long before children can earn or achieve anything, they have inherent worth as image-bearers. That conviction grounds early-childhood teaching in love and patience rather than performance.
Forms a nurturing posture toward children at their most vulnerable stage.
Foundations That Last
The early years shape how children see themselves, others, and learning itself. Taking that formative influence seriously treats early-childhood teaching as deeply consequential, not just childcare.
Prepares you to lay foundations of character and curiosity, not just skills.
Wonder and Discovery
Young children are wired to explore a world full of order and beauty. A Biblical Worldview frames that natural wonder as encountering a world worth discovering.
Helps you teach in a way that protects and feeds children's curiosity.
The Early Childhood concentration focuses your elementary degree toward the youngest learners and the settings that serve them.
Early Elementary Teacher
Teach the primary and early-elementary grades with specialized preparation.
Preschool & Early Learning Educator
Lead in preschools, early-learning centers, and primary programs.
Early Childhood Special Education Support
Support young learners with diverse needs in inclusive settings.
Early Childhood Program Roles
Work in childcare leadership, Head Start, and early-childhood program settings.
The Early Childhood concentration adds focused, hands-on preparation for teaching young children.
Hands-On From the Start
Four fieldwork courses put you in real early-childhood settings, not just lectures.
Specialized Early-Childhood Knowledge
Early literacy, development, and learning environments tailored to young learners.
Inclusive From Day One
Early-childhood special education prepares you to reach children with diverse needs.
Flexible Across Pathways
Available with the certified Elementary Education degree or the Non-Certification pathway.
Already drawn to the Elementary Education degree? Adding the Early Childhood concentration is simple.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationChoose Early Childhood as Your Concentration
Tell your education advisor you want the Early Childhood focus, and they'll map the ECE courses and fieldwork into your plan.
Get Your IVP Fingerprint Card
The early-childhood fieldwork courses require an Identity Verified Prints (IVP) card before you enter classrooms.
The Early Childhood concentration gives you specialized, hands-on preparation to teach and nurture our youngest students. Apply or reach out today.