Why ECD?
An Early Child Development Certificate (Pre–K) is necessary to teach preschool in State of Alabama-funded pre-k classrooms. Upon completion of
required courses* graduates will be qualified to seek an Early Child Development Certificate (Pre-K)
and work as the Lead Teacher in the classroom.
The base salary for a Lead Teacher in a First Class Pre-K program is $44,226.
Source:
First Class Pre-K Program Guidelines 2023-2024
About First Class Pre-K
Source:
https://children.alabama.gov/for-families/first-class-pre-k/
Housed within the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, the Office of School Readiness (OSR) administers Alabama’s diverse delivery, voluntary, high-quality Pre-K program. Classrooms are funded through a grant process in which sites must meet specific quality assurances and abide by rigorous operating guidelines. Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program has been awarded the highest quality rating by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) for 16 consecutive years, which includes four years of highest ratings based on more stringent measures of practice.
Using a multi-pronged approach, the Office of School Readiness has implemented evidence-based strategies and methods grounded in research literature to assure that all Alabama 4-year-olds have access to excellent early learning classrooms in their communities. According to the experts, an investment in early preschool education can have positive long term impacts, including improvements in math and reading scores, and reductions in retention in grade and special education placements. The Alabama First Class Pre-K program has expanded substantially from serving just over 5,000 Alabama 4-year-olds in 2013 to more than 22,000 in 2021, yet incremental growth and strong infrastructure have allowed for quality to be maintained and monitored. The Alabama First Class Pre-K program supports quality, accountability, and student outcomes that extend well beyond kindergarten entry.
Numerous research studies have shown that students who participated in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs are less likely to repeat a grade, require remedial education, or be placed in special education; score higher on achievement tests; are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college; get higher paying salaries as adults; and are more likely to stay out of prison and off welfare.
Courses and Curriculum
To earn a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science, Early Child Development option, students must complete 120 credits, 60 of which
MAY be transferred from other institutions.
With the exception of HDFS 2010 Lifespan Human Development, all HDFS Major Core courses and Required Professional Courses
must be taken at Auburn University. (See the right column of the table below.)
University Core Courses, Required Supporting Courses, Required Human Sciences Core Courses, HDFS Understanding Diverse Perspectives, Free Electives, and Professional Electives
MAY transfer from another institution. However, only 60 transfer credits will be accepted. (These courses are in the left column and at the bottom of the right column in the table below.)
Of the 73 credit hours from HDFS ECD courses, 12 credits are completed during an internship placement in the final semester.
Transfer Credits
To earn a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science, Early Child Development option, students must complete 120 credits, 60 of which
MAY be transferred from other institutions.
To find out which of your credits transfer, you may use the Transfer Equivalency Table found
HERE.
Click HERE for a quick video on how to use the Equivalency Table.
University Core Courses, Required Supporting Courses, Required Human Sciences Core Courses, HDFS Understanding Diverse Perspectives, Free Electives, and Professional Electives
MAY transfer from another institution. However, only 60 transfer credits will be accepted.
The following courses MAY transfer to the Auburn University Online ECD Program:
| University Core |
Other Courses |
ENGL 1100 English Composition I (3)
ENGL 1120 English Composition II (3) |
Electives (4 hours)
*CHD Courses at Community College count toward electives |
| MATH 1120 Pre-Calculus Algebra (3) |
HDFS 2010 Lifespan Human Development (3) |
BIOL 1000 Intro to Biology (3) with lab (1)
BIOL 1011 A Survey of Life (3) with lab (1) |
Professional Electives (6 hours)
psychology, social work, sociology,
communications, and other social sciences |
Core History I (3)
Core History II (3) |
HDFS 2040 Analytics for Social & Behavioral Sciences (statistics) (3) |
Core Social Science I (3)
Core Social Science II (3) |
CADS 2000 Global Consumer Culture (3) |
| Core Literature (3) |
HDFS 2000 Marriage & Family in Global Context (3) |
| COMM 1000 Public Speaking (3) |
NTRI 2000 Nutrition and Health (3) |
| Core Philosophy (3) |
|
| Core Philosophy (3) |
|
Application Information
Application Requirements
In order to be eligible to apply, students must
- have completed at least 30 credit hours
- have a cumulative GPA of 2.5
- completed majority of Auburn University core requirements; it is recommended that ALL Auburn University core requirements be completed before applying
After submitting an application, you will need to have official copies of your transcripts sent to Auburn University directly from previously attended institutions. These must be received by Auburn before your application may be evaluated.
Application Deadlines
| Term |
Application Deadline |
ECD Scholarship Eligibility Deadline |
Deposit Deadline (must be paid to register for courses) |
| Fall |
July 15 |
July 15 |
August 1 |
| Spring |
December 1 |
November 1 |
December 15 |
| Summer |
May 1 |
April 1 |
May 1 |
*You will submit a separate online application for scholarships after you have been admitted.
Scholarship Information
What Does The Program Cost?
2024-2025 tuition rate for fully online students is $525/ credit hour.
*Tuition and fees subject to change annually. Visit Auburn Tuition & Fees for the most up-to-date information.
What Scholarships Are Available?
1.
Loans, Grants, Scholarships.
We want to make earning your degree through Auburn University an affordable process. Please visit Auburn’s
Student Financial Services website to explore opportunities for loans, grants, and scholarships. Externally funded scholarships are also welcome.
2.
T.E.A.C.H Scholarship Program
Many people who are currently working in the field of early care and education are eligible to apply for the TEACH scholarship program.
3. The College of Human Sciences and Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education have partnered to establish scholarship opportunities for students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science, Early Child Development. Please complete the following application.
- Students must be enrolled in courses before they apply for the scholarship.
- Application requires a letter of recommendation from a site supervisor or faculty member.
