College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Early Childhood Education
College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Early Childhood Education
Empower the Next Generation
with NMSU’s Early Childhood Education Program
At New Mexico State University, the Early Childhood Education (ECED) program is dedicated to preparing compassionate and skilled educators who are committed to the well-being, development and learning of children from birth through age eight for the licensure concentration and birth to age four for our non-licensure track. Our program emphasizes the importance of early childhood education within broader social, historical, political and cultural contexts, ensuring that our graduates are equipped to make a meaningful impact in diverse educational settings.
Whether you're beginning your journey in early childhood education or seeking to advance your expertise, NMSU's ECED program offers the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to become a leader in the field.
Admission Deadlines
There are no fixed deadlines*
- Total classes: 40
- Total credit hours: 120-122
- Cost per credit hour: $223.58**
Delivery Format
Career Pathways
Graduates of NMSU’s Early Childhood Education program are prepared to step into a variety of impactful roles where they shape young minds. With a strong foundation in multicultural, bilingual and inclusive teaching practices, our graduates are in demand across both public and private educa tion al settings.
- Early Childhood Classroom Teacher (Pre-K – 3rd Grade)
- Head Start or Early Head Start Educator
- Preschool Director or Program Administrator
- Child Development Specialist
- Policy Advocate or Program Coordinator (Early Childhood Services)
Degree questions, answered
Have questions about the Bachelor of Applied Studies (non-licensure) or the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education? Fill out our inquiry form.
Two Paths, One Passion: Choose Your Track in Early Childhood Education
With both licensure and non-licensure options, you can tailor your Early Childhood Education journey to match your passion and career aspirations. Program highlights include:
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Our coursework integrates themes of bilingual and multicultural education, critical thinking and reflective teaching, providing students with a well-rounded understanding of early childhood education.
- Diverse Learning Opportunities: Students engage in both face-to-face and online classes, complemented by field-based experiences in birth through third-grade educational settings, ensuring practical application of theoretical knowledge.
- Pathways to Advanced Study: Graduates are also well-prepared to pursue graduate degrees in education, counseling, child development or educational leadership, expanding their professional scope and impact.
The entry requirements and early coursework for the ECED Licensure and ECED Non-Licensure tracts are identical. During the first two years of the ECED programs, students concentrate on their general education requirements while also taking early childhood education classes. This professional education component acquaints students with the psychological, social, cultural, developmental and cognitive aspects of early childhood.
Accredited Program
All programs follow the personnel recommendations established by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Programs, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED).
Scholarships Available
Get up to 100% of tuition covered with the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship.**
All students wishing to complete a degree in Early Childhood Education (licensure track) must apply to the Teacher Education Program. The Bachelor of Science in Education consists of 122 credits. To earn this degree, you need to complete all University degree requirements, which include General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
Take classes like:
- ECED 1110 - Child Growth, Development, and Learning
- ECED 1130 - Family and Community Collaboration
- ECED 1125 - Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs
- ECED 2130 - Curriculum Development and Implementation Age 3 (PreK) through Grade 3
- ECED 2120 - Curriculum Development through Play Birth through Age 4 (PreK)
- ECED 4110 - Young Children with Diverse Abilities
This non-licensure concentration, offered through the School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership (TPAL), prepares graduates to work in diverse early childhood settings, including childcare centers, Head Start programs and early intervention services.
Graduates of NMSU’s BAS in Applied Studies: Zero to Four (Early Childhood) are prepared for meaningful careers working with infants, toddlers and preschool-age children in non-licensure roles. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about supporting early development in diverse, community-based settings.
The Bachelor of Applied Studies in Early Childhood consists of 120 credits. To earn this degree, you need to complete all University degree requirements, which include General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.
Take classes like:
- ECED 1110 - Child Growth, Development, and Learning
- ECED 1130 - Family and Community Collaboration
- ECED 1125 - Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs
- ECED 1120 - Guiding Young Children
- ECED 2130 - Curriculum Development through Play Birth through Age 4 (PreK)
- ECED 4220 - Advanced Caregiving for Infants and Toddlers
Ready to take the next step?
Request Information
Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Admission Requirements for Teacher Education Programs
All students wishing to complete a degree in Early Childhood Education (licensure track) must apply to the Teacher Education Program.
A 2.75 minimum GPA is required for admission to the Teacher Education Program and graduation. Students must pass ENGL 1110G Composition I, ENGL 2221G Writing in the Humanities and Social Science, Area II, Prerequisite courses and Early Childhood Core courses with a grade of C- or better.
Accreditation
All Early Childhood Education programs follow the personnel recommendations established by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Programs, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED).
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.