Building 6 Room 211     |      (909) 869-2300     |      Department Website     |      Faculty Directory

The Early Childhood Studies Program provides students the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive difference in the lives of children from prenatal to age eight and their families.

This department champions equity, anti-racist and multilingual education, and uses a social‑justice, decolonial lens embedded in all core coursework. Faculty are deeply committed to “learning by doing,” advancing hands‑on pedagogy through practicum-based instruction, real-world internships, and service learning rooted in diverse community settings. Their expertise spans inclusive early education, special needs integration, and multilingualism, guiding students through programs like integrated special education and dual-language teaching.

Students engage in at least 60 hours of practicum across early learning centers and campus-based settings like the Bronco Family Space, reinforcing classroom theory with real-world experience. They may pursue teaching credentials-including special education-or a non‑teaching pathway leading to careers in child advocacy, therapy, or public health. Supporting growth are community partnerships, fieldwork opportunities, multilingual tracks, and an active advising and mentoring system. The program also offers flexible learning modalities (in-person, hybrid, evening/weekend) to meet diverse student needs.

Programs

• Early Childhood Studies, B.A. - Early Childhood Teaching Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Early Childhood Studies, B.A. - Multilingual Teaching Subplan/Option: 120 units
• Early Childhood Studies, B.A. - PK-Grade 3 Subplan/Option: 120 units

Courses

• ECS 1000 - Child Growth and Development (3)
• ECS 1100 - Child, Family, and Community (3)
• ECS 1200 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3)
• ECS 2000 - Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• ECS 2010 - Childhood Observation and Assessment (2)
• ECS 2010A - Childhood Observation and Assessment Activity (1)
• ECS 2100 - Childhood Clinical Practicum I (1)
• ECS 2100A - Childhood Clinical Practicum I Activity (2)
• ECS 2200 - Principles and Practices for Teaching Children (3)
• ECS 2350 - Introduction to Childhood Curriculum (3)
• ECS 2990 - Special Topics for Lower Division Students (1-3)
• ECS 2990A - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Activity (1-3)
• ECS 2990L - Special Topics for Lower Division Students Laboratory (1-3)
• ECS 3010 - Social and Emotional Development and Child Guidance (3)
• ECS 3100 - Relationship-Based Care and Development from Pregnancy to Age Three (3)
• ECS 3300 - Early Childhood Education Leadership and Social Justice (3)
• ECS 3310 - Introduction to Working with Children with Disabilities and their Families (3)
• ECS 3320 - Application and Curriculum for Children with Disabilities (3)
• ECS 3400 - Language and Literacy in Multilingual Families and Communities (3) [GE 4C]
• ECS 3600 - Cultivating Language and Literacy Development in Multilingual Early Learning (3)
• ECS 3700 - Childhood Assessment II (3)
• ECS 3750 - Relationship-Based Curriculum Approaches with Infants and Toddlers (3)
• ECS 3800 - Early Childhood Physical Growth and Health (3)
• ECS 3900 - STEAM: Childhood Project Approach to Integrative Learning (3)
• ECS 3910 - Numeracy and Inquiry in Multilingual Contexts (3)
• ECS 4000 - Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• ECS 4010 - Dynamics of Childhood Play (3)
• ECS 4100 - Early Childhood Clinical Practicum II (1)
• ECS 4100A - Early Childhood Clinical Practicum II Activity (2)
• ECS 4210 - STEAM: An Integrated Approach to Learning (3)
• ECS 4610 - Early Childhood Capstone (3)
• ECS 4750W - Early Childhood Inquiry and Methodology (3)
• ECS 4850 - Equity, Policy, and Advocacy for Children and Families (3)
• ECS 4990 - Special Topics for Upper Division Students (1-3)
• ECS 4990A - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Activity (1-3)
• ECS 4990L - Special Topics for Upper Division Students Laboratory (1-3)