Academics

Early Childhood Education

BA • Major

Young children working on a school project.

Montclair’s Early Childhood Education program is dedicated to preparing educators to support the growth and development of all young children in inclusive learning environments.

You’ll explore how children grow and learn – socially, emotionally, and cognitively- during their earliest years.

Through research-informed practices, you’ll learn practical, developmentally appropriate teaching strategies that promote language development, early literacy, and communication, while fostering curiosity and problem-solving through exploration and play. In addition, you will design responsive learning experiences tailored to each child’s individual background and needs, empowering every young learner to realize the transformative potential of education.

If you’re passionate about shaping the foundation of lifelong learning, this program is for you.

See the curriculum.

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Add this as a Co-Major to launch your teaching career

In New Jersey, to pursue your career as a teacher, you’ll need to double major in Education and an academic major. The combination of a professional major in education and an academic major in a discipline offers a rigorous and practical foundation, preparing you to make a lasting impact in the classroom and the wider community.
For the Early Childhood Education major, complete a major track in our Family Science and Human Development (FHSD) Child and Lifespan Development concentration, maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA overall and within the FHSD major.

Family Science and Human Development, Child and Lifespan Development concentration

If you enroll in our Early Childhood Education program, you’ll be required to complete a concentration in our FSHD program in our College for Community Health.

The Child and Lifespan Development concentration prepares you to pursue certification for teaching at the early childhood (P-3) or elementary (K-6) level, leaving you prepared to pursue either certification and start your career immediately following graduation. When you’re done, you’ll have a double major: Family Science and Early Childhood (P-3) certification to get your career started.

See the curriculum.

BA/MAT in Teaching Combined Degree Program

The Combined Bachelor’s/MAT with Dual Certification program is a 5-year program that leads to teacher certification in a desired subject area, teacher certification in Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD), a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree.

See the curriculum.

Additional Application Requirements

To earn this degree, you’ll also need to be admitted to Montclair’s nationally recognized Teacher Education and Certification program.

To apply, you must have: 

  • Completed prerequisite coursework
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better for a single certification program or a 3.25 cumulative GPA for the combined Bachelor’s Master’s with Dual Certification program
  • Have the required in-major GPA for your desired program (will vary by program)
  • Have completed the following courses:
    • ECEL200
    • FSHD 214
    • PSYC 101 or FSHD114 of EDFD 200
    • 9-11 credits of major coursework (Mathematics majors must complete 11 credits including Calculus I and II and MTHM 201 or a course that requires Calculus II as a prerequisite)

If you’re transferring, you must have: 

  • 60 credits or more completed
  • Completed 9-11 credits of major coursework
  • Completed or are enrolled in ECEL 200
  • Completed or are enrolled in FSHD 214 or approved equivalent
  • A.A. or A.S. degree from a NJ two-year institution are waived from taking EDFD 220 (and EDFD 221)

If this sounds like you, you’ll need to submit:

  • Your completed application via the Teacher Education Program website
  • Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities.
  • Your completed application essay
  • One letter of recommendation from a Montclair State University faculty member
  • Your resume

Once you apply and your application is reviewed, you’ll be invited to an admissions interview before a decision is made. Admission decisions will be emailed to you within 4 weeks following the interview.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: February 1 (Single Certification and combined Bachelor’s/Master’s candidates)

Spring Semester: September 15 (Single Certification candidates only

Questions? Email teadmissions@montclair.edu and start the conversation!

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

The office of Undergraduate Admissions will guide you every step of the way on your journey from learning about the University and its offerings, to applying for a program through to acceptance and enrollment.

Teaching and Learning Department

The Department of Teaching and Learning prepares professionals to possess the knowledge, skills and dispositions to transform early childhood, elementary, secondary, and life-long literacy education in the service of social justice, inclusivity and democratic values.

Next Steps

Wherever you learn—on campus or online—Montclair State University offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.

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