Early Childhood & Family Studies (BS)
Support children. Help communities.
You can make a positive difference in children’s lives, and the Early Childhood and Family Studies degree at SWU will show you how. This interdisciplinary program covers early childhood education, psychology, and sociology and prepares you to work in various settings that serve young children. Learning about all aspects of childhood development will help you offer guidance, employ teaching strategies, and create developmentally appropriate educational experiences. During the program, you’ll work with young children and their families.
SWU’s BS in Early Childhood and Family Studies will prepare you to teach preschoolers, work in university child development and military child care centers, or pursue graduate education and teaching certification. The South Carolina Head Start Association, the South Carolina Head Start Collaboration Office, the South Carolina First Steps program, South Carolina Endeavors, and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood support the program. Many of our students receive T.E.A.C.H. scholarships.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® SOUTH CAROLINA provides scholarships for teachers, directors, owners, and family/group providers working in childcare to complete coursework in early childhood education. Scholarships for credentials, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees are offered to qualifying recipients. For more information, click the SC Endeavors link below.
SC Endeavors“SWU is the place to connect for flexibility and convenience. I was able to continue to work full-time and still attend school. My professors were amazing and willing to help me achieve my goals. I am considering going back for my master's!”Christina Dixon — 2022 ECFS Graduate
Graduate Study
- MAT—Early Childhood Education
- Master of Counseling Psychology
- Master of Social Work
Career Paths
- Department of Social Services: Child care licensing, child welfare
- Director of early learning centers
- Early intervention specialist
- Teacher: Early Head Start, First Step 4K, Head Start
- Program director
Graduates of the Early Childhood and Family Studies program will be able to:
- Understand young children’s characteristics and needs, along with multiple influences on learning and development.
- Use their understanding of family and community characteristics to support families and communities in developing respectful, reciprocal relationships.
- Practice responsible assessment based on knowledge of the goals, benefits, and uses of different assessment tools and approaches.
- Apply deep content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum in all areas.
- Uphold ethical standards and professional guidelines and engage in informed advocacy for young children, their families, and the early childhood profession.
