Our bachelor of early childhood education (ECE) prepares you to work with children from birth through age 8, which includes infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and students through third grade. You’ll be equipped to teach in early learning environments such as childcare centers, preschool classrooms, and elementary schools—ensuring you can support critical stages of child development.

Learn more about advancing your education with a BS in Early Childhood Education.

The bachelor of early childhood is offered in a 100% online format, giving you flexibility to complete your ECE courses. While the academic portion of the ECE bachelor's degree is online, you will still be required to complete in-person field experiences and student teaching placements at approved early childhood settings in your local area.

Read our guide to the bachelor's degree in early childhood education.

The early childhood education courses cover a blend of developmental, instructional, and assessment-focused courses to prepare you for diverse teaching environments. Key topics include:

• Early Childhood Development – Understand physical, emotional, and cognitive development from infancy through age 8
• Curriculum Development – Learn to create and implement engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans across core subject areas
• Family and Community Partnerships – Explore strategies for collaborating with families and community organizations
• Observation and Assessment – Develop skills in evaluating student growth using both formal and informal tools
• Educating Exceptional Learners – Gain insight into supporting children with developmental delays or disabilities in inclusive settings

Yes. The program’s ZS endorsement enables graduates to work in both general education and special education classrooms. The early childhood education courses are designed to prepare you to adapt instruction for diverse learners, collaborate with special education teams, and support children with unique learning needs through inclusive practices.

Learn more about starting your teaching career with an ESE degree.

Yes, you’ll complete multiple clinical and classroom-based experiences as you progress through the ECE degree, including a full-time student teaching placement in your final year. These placements give you the opportunity to practice teaching strategies, manage classrooms, and receive feedback from experienced educators—ensuring you're well-prepared for ECE certification and future employment.

Yes. Upon completing your degree in ECE, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate with an Early Childhood Education (ZS) endorsement. This qualifies you to teach in both general and special education settings for children in preschool through third grade, which is a requirement for many public and private school teaching positions in Michigan.

Yes. Baker College provides faculty mentoring, academic advising, and exam preparation resources to help students succeed on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) exams. These tests are a required part of the licensure process, and your instructors will integrate preparation into your ESE courses.

Yes. The ESE degree is aligned with the Michigan Department of Education teacher preparation standards and incorporates best practices recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This ensures that your training is research-based, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with industry expectations.

Yes. We accept transfer credits from accredited institutions, which means students who have completed early childhood coursework—or who hold an associate degree in a related field—can apply that credit toward their bachelor’s. Advisors will help you develop a customized transfer plan to ensure you get the most value from your previous education.

While many graduates go on to become preschool or early elementary teachers, the ESE degree also opens the door to other meaningful roles, including:

• Childcare Center Director – Manage early learning facilities, supervise staff, and ensure regulatory compliance
• Early Intervention Specialist – Support children with developmental delays and coordinate services for families
• Family Support Specialist – Connect families with resources to improve child wellness and education outcomes
• Curriculum Coordinator – Design early childhood learning materials and align them with developmental standards

Discover more careers in early childhood education.