Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education

This degree, offered jointly by SNL and DePaul's School of Education, certifies adults working in the education of young children to teach in Illinois.

Flexible: Degree requirements can be met by documenting experience and ongoing work in the education of young children, as well through transfer, Education and SNL courses.

Personalized: Get your own advising committe of an SNL faculty member and an expert in early childhood education who help develop a plan to meet your goals, and assess prior learning.

Competence-based: The degree is earned after satisfying 50 requirements, written as statements describing competence. Certain competencies are met by specific courses or projects, others can be satisfied by relevant transfer courses or experience.

Online and On-Campus: SNL courses are in the Chicago Loop, Naperville, Oak Forest and near O'Hare as well as Online. Education courses are at the Loop or Lincoln Park campus.

Get Started: Attend a free information session at the campus of your choice. Submit a DePaul Adult Admission Application and register for Learning Assessment Seminar. You can also register for courses in the next available quarter.  Questions? Email snladvising@depaul.edu.


Program Requirements: There are four areas:

1. The Lifelong Learning Area consists of 12 competencies satisfied by 9 required courses or proficiency exams.

2. The Liberal Learning Area consists of 24 competencies in 3 categories: Arts and Ideas, Human Community, and Scientific World. Competencies can be satisfied by SNL courses, Education courses, relevant transfer courses of C- or better, and documented college-level learning from experience.

Required courses include:

    In Arts and Ideas: ECE 286 Art, Music, and Movement for A1X; ECE 347 Children’s Literature for A2X; and LSE 380 Philosophical Issues in Education for A3X.  

    In Human Community: ECE 303 History and Philosophy of ECE for H1X; SCU 207 Social and Historical Issues in Education for H2X; and ECE 336 Child Behavior for H3X.  

    In Scientific World: ECE 331 Beginning Math and Science Instruction for S2X; and A specific SNL course in childhood nutrition.  

3. Advanced Electives consists of 2 competence, E1 and E2, satisfied by several SNL courses, including IN 307 Advanced Elective Seminar: Parent-Child Development Within Cultural Context, and IN 307 Advanced Elective Seminar: Parenting and Family Support in Socio-Cultural Context.

4. Focus Area consists of 12 competencies satisfied through 10 Education courses that comprise requirements for certification.

Download Program Requirements - Microsoft Word required