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Online BS in Early Childhood & Family Studies

Home : Academics : School of Education : Online BS in Early Childhood & Family Studies

Serve children and families, impact your community.

You have a passion for working with children and families, and are looking for the best next step in your life and career. The Early Childhood and Family Studies degree at SWU is an interdisciplinary program that prepares graduates to work in a variety of settings. Through this program, students acquire the values, knowledge, skills and dispositions within a “Christian ethic of care” necessary to positively impact contemporary families in the areas of early childhood and family studies.

Early Childhood and Family Studies students will:

  • Know and understand young children’s characteristics and needs and the multiple influences on development and learning.
  • Know and understand family and community characteristics and support them through respectful and reciprocal relationships.
  • Understand the goals, benefits and uses of assessment and practice responsible assessment.
  • Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum in all curriculum areas.
  • Uphold ethical standards and professional guidelines and engage in informed advocacy for young children, their families and the early childhood profession.

We offer you the skills you need to succeed in the world of early care and development. In addition to jobs in Head Start, jobs are available in public and private schools and family service organizations.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for preschool teachers is expected to grow by 17 percent from 2012 to 2022.

The Early Childhood and Family Studies program does not lead to teacher certification or a teaching degree.

Tuition Discounts

Southern Wesleyan University awards a 10% scholarship to employees of the South Carolina Head Start Association, Goodwill Industries, Pickens County, Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, as well as other organizations. Click here for more information.

Apply Online in 15 Minutes:

Apply Now

It only takes 15 minutes to apply to the Early Childhood and Family Studies Management program.

Online Program Start Dates

Monday, August 23, 2021

Questions?
Get in touch to learn more.

Have questions? We can help. Send us your info above, and we’ll reach out to you. Don't worry, we won’t share your info with anyone else.

 

At a Glance

Program Credit Hours
120 credits

Course Length
7 weeks per course

View Courses

Program Format
Online

Cost per credit hour
$430

Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Read more about accreditation.

Your Future

Career Preparation

This program opens the door to many career possibilities including:

  • Early Childhood/Preschool Teacher
  • Preschool/Day Care Administrator
  • After School Program Director
  • Family resource coordinator
  • Social Work Case Manager
  • Family Support Worker
  • Recreation/Activity Director
  • Family support counselor (graduate work required)
  • Grant Writer

Graduate Experience

Our early childhood graduates have gone into a number of careers and have held jobs with employers such as:

  • Public Schools
  • Private Schools
  • Head Start Programs
  • Day Care/Child Development Centers
  • Libraries

Admission Requirements for Online Associate and Bachelor Programs

  • Submission of a completed application
  • $25 application fee
  • An official high school transcript if transferring fewer than 15 credit hours from accredited colleges or universities. Minimum high school cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  • Home school students must provide evidence of membership in an approved home school association and provide an official transcript with a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale; otherwise, applicant must submit GED scores.
  • Transfer students who have attended other colleges or universities must provide official transcripts from each school attended. Students must have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college work attempted.
  • Submission of all military transcripts, if applicable.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers can do this evaluation, and National Association of Credential Evaluation Services provides a list of approved agencies. From the NACES list, Southern Wesleyan recommends using World Education Services or Josef Silny.
  • Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet the official TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper test), 213 (computer test), or demonstrate equivalent evidence of proficiency in English, such as an overall band score of 6.0 or higher on the IELTS test.
  • Satisfactory interview with a designated committee or academic division, if required.

Learn more about transfer credits from accredited colleges and universities.

Have questions? We can help. Connect with an admissions representative at 877-644-5557 or  .

Notice of Nondiscrimination

In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Southern Wesleyan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. The university reserves its right to operate as a church-related institution and to develop policies consistent with the religious tenets of its sponsoring denomination, The Wesleyan Church.

Additional information related to SWU’s non-discrimination policies include:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX)

SWU SCHOOL of EDUCATION