Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood & Family Studies Teaching and Learning

The Early Childhood and Family Studies (ECFS) Teaching and Learning major is designed to give you the opportunity to study early childhood development, early learning, and family studies from a variety of perspectives across a range of disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree in ECFS will prepare you for careers in early learning, childcare, policy, parent and family support and education, and social/mental health services. It is also a pathway to graduate studies in education, child and family studies, and other areas. ADMISSION TO THE ECFS CORE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

The University of Washington (UW) College of Education's ECFS Teaching and Learning program guides you in using the most recent research to understand how to facilitate optimal child development and how to become an agent for institutional and societal change.  

Current city, state, and national policy efforts are focused on equitable access to high quality early learning programs, often referred to as Universal Pre-K.  Part of the measure of quality in such settings is having teachers prepared in content areas and pedagogical approaches to early childhood education.  Students in this option of the ECFS Major, interested in early childhood teaching and learning, are required to take additional courses in Language & Literacy, Mathematics, Science, & Technology (STEM), Positive Behavioral Support, Engaging Interactions & Environments, and Individualized Instruction along with an extended field experience working with children. You will also participate in community-based learning alongside teachers in preschool classrooms or childcare centers each quarter during your junior and senior years.