Early Childhood & Family Studies (Online BS)
Program Credit Hours
120 credits
Course Length
7 weeks per course
Program Format
Online
Cost per credit hour
$450
* Total Cost (cost per credit hour x total credit hours) is provided to aid in program comparison only. All stated financial information is subject to change. Total Cost does not include fees, book or material costs.
Support children. Help communities.
You can make a positive difference in children’s lives, and the Online Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS) 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.
Our Online ECFS program will prepare you to teach preschoolers, work in university child development and military child care centers, or pursue graduate education and teaching certification. If you already work in an early learning setting, you can complete your internship at your place of employment. 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 supports the program. Many of our students receive T.E.A.C.H. scholarships.
The Early Childhood and Family Studies program does not lead to teacher certification or a teaching degree.
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 the 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.
Additional Program Information
- Submission of a completed application
- 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 864-644-5550 or .
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:
Commencement ceremonies are held on SWU’s campus twice a year in May and December. Online graduates who complete their degree program of study at the conclusion of the summer semester will have their degrees conferred at the December graduation. Letters of completion are available to graduates who wish to confirm to their employers that they have completed their degree program upon request through the Office of Academic Records ( ). We look forward to celebrating with you soon!
