Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (Licensure)
- Campus
- Online
What Is an Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Degree?
A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education can prepare future teachers to work with children from birth through third grade, including learners with and without exceptionalities.
The BS in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education is available online(See disclaimer 1) and on campus and includes student teaching experiences. You will be taught skills in developmentally appropriate instructional methods and education advocacy. The program leads to initial teacher licensure and is ideal for high school graduates or those looking to enter the education field.
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
- 16+ years old
- High School Graduate
- 2.8+ Unweighted GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- ACT: 19
- SAT: 1000*
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
What's It Like Earning Your Bachelor's Degree in ECE/ECSE at GCU?
GCU is a private Christian university that integrates a Christian worldview into the curriculum. This education degree emphasizes the value of servant leadership and ethics while teaching pedagogy and instructional methods through coursework and hands-on student teaching experiences. You may choose to earn this degree on campus and benefit from our enriching campus culture, or you may choose to take online classes(See disclaimer 1 )for added flexibility.
What To Expect From a BS in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education
Online Learning Designed for Your Schedule
We facilitate modern education by offering this early childhood and early childhood special education degree online.(See disclaimer 1) This flexible learning option can accommodate the needs of busy students who require a more convenient approach to higher education. As an online student,(See disclaimer 1) you’ll be able to use our interactive discussion forums to engage with your peers, as well as enjoy one-on-one chats with professors when you need extra help. You can easily access online learning materials and receive technical support as needed.
Institutional Accreditation That Supports Your Education
This ECE and ECSE degree has received programmatic accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This full accreditation status indicates that this degree program is well-designed to prepare effective educators who are committed to lifelong professional development.
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Education shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Campus Living Designed for Your Student Experience
If you earn your degree on campus, you’ll enjoy our numerous campus amenities, including the library, outreach activities and volunteer initiatives, such as Lopes for Literacy. You can choose from a broad range of clubs and other student activities, including those specific to the education field, such as the Math Education Club. Build your pre-professional network through in-person interactions.
Support Services Built Around Your Needs
The College of Education offers robust student support resources to facilitate your academic progress and career preparation. In addition to the licensure-focused curriculum and mentorship from experienced faculty, students earning this ECE and early childhood special education degree can benefit from access to career services and can work with the Office of Clinical Practice to secure student teaching experiences. The Teaching Certification and Credential Center can offer institutional recommendation (IR) for pursuing licensure.
Hear From Our Students
"We’re teaching them kindness, empathy, passion, compassion, all of those things are started young, so then when they’re older, they feel more successful, they have better people around them, and that will create and generate success for them in their lives."
"We’re teaching them kindness, empathy, passion, compassion, all of those things are started young, so then when they’re older, they feel more successful, they have better people around them, and that will create and generate success for them in their lives."
What Will I Study in a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education?
The BS in Early Childhood Education and ECSE can prepare teacher candidates to pursue initial teacher licensure by delivering comprehensive curriculum that teaches early childhood development, instructional methodologies and pedagogy, as well as professional ethics, advocacy and legal obligations for special education. Specifically, students will examine instruction in STEM subjects, literacy instruction and reading remediation, assessments and classroom management techniques for children with typical and atypical behaviors.
What Course Topics Will You Cover in This ECE and ECSE Degree Program?
This program delivers a blend of coursework in teaching competencies and hands-on applied experience in classrooms with children from birth through third grade. Students will complete two eight-week student teaching experiences under the direction of course instructors, faculty supervisors and a certified teacher-mentor, who provides guidance within the classroom setting. In total, you must complete 185 student teaching experience hours.
Teacher candidates will study course topics such as:
Language and literacy
Early language acquisition and literacy development in birth through grade three
Childhood development
Physical, cognitive and socio-emotional development, including milestones
Classroom management
Classroom management strategies and behavioral interventions for typical and atypical behaviors
Instructional methods
Instructional methodologies and learning strategies for all subject areas
Student assessments
Assessing, monitoring and reporting on student progress
Educational advocacy
Advocating on behalf of children with and without exceptionalities
What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education?
With an ECE and ECSE degree, you can prepare to pursue initial teacher licensure and work in classrooms with young learners. Graduates may pursue opportunities as special education teachers in preschool classrooms, for example. In your teaching career, you can help students develop a strong foundation for future academic and personal growth. Create a supportive, nurturing learning environment and help children learn important social skills while laying the framework for literacy and numeracy progress.
This degree can equip you to work as a preschool special education teacher in any of these settings:(See disclaimer 3 )
Daycare centers
Nurturing young learners as they explore the world around them
Preschools
Preparing preschool students to enter kindergarten and elementary school
Private schools
Working with young learners in private schools, including religious preschools
Individual and family services
Advocating for families and young children
Estimated number of job openings for special education teachers, each year, from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 2)
Median annual wage for special education teachers as of May 2024(See disclaimer 4)
Tuition Options for Your Degree
We believe that quality higher education should be accessible to all. We’re committed to keeping tuition for our academic programs competitive for our students by freezing on-campus tuition rates and offering millions in institutional scholarships. An education at GCU is an investment in your future.
GCU has not increased campus tuition rates since 2009
Ways To Save
Your education is an important financial investment, and there are several ways to help manage costs while earning your degree. GCU’s university counselors are available to help you explore available options and provide personalized guidance on your estimated cost of attendance.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine eligibility for federal grants and student loans. Since some aid is awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis, GCU recommends submitting the FAFSA as early as possible after Oct. 1 to maximize funding opportunities.
If you’ve earned college credits from another institution, you may be able to complete your degree sooner at GCU by transferring those credits. Submit the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation form, then connect with a university counselor who can provide you with personalized guidance.
You may be able to reduce your college costs by applying for GCU’s on-campus or online student scholarships. We invite you to explore available institutional scholarships and determine which opportunities you may be eligible for. GCU also encourages students to seek out third‑party scholarships and grants.
Explore Your Financial Options
Connect with a university counselor to learn more about tuition, cost-planning resources and available options.
ECE & ECSE Frequently Asked Questions
Plan your future by reviewing the following FAQs and answers about the BS in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.
Does a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education lead to teacher licensure?
Does a BS in ECE and ECSE include student teaching or field experience?
Can you earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education online?
Is a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and early childhood special education worth it?
What skills do you gain from a BS in ECE and ECSE?
Getting Into GCU
Our university does not require a personal statement or essay, and there is no application fee. High school students may meet the admission requirements with either a minimum GPA or SAT or ACT exam scores. Specific requirements can vary, depending on the degree or program.
You can apply to a degree program at GCU in just three simple steps. Your university counselor is standing by to assist you with any questions about the application process.
It starts with selecting the program that aligns with your goals from one of GCU's 380+ academic programs — from undergraduate degrees to post-master’s certificate programs to doctoral degrees.
Pick your program
Explore our on-campus, online or evening cohort options under the Degree Programs page to find the right program for you.
Complete our online application
Your university counselor will direct you to the online application. Fill in all required information and submit the form.
Submit supporting documents
Submit your official transcripts and any relevant test scores, and confirm with your university counselor that all forms for your desired program are submitted.
Program Curriculum
General Education Requirements
Required General Education Courses
Core Courses
Prepare to support the developmental needs of students with and without exceptionalities in ECE and ECSE settings.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the "Accreditation and Compliance/State Disclosures” link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state’s licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
Excluding observational and practice-based experiences and student teaching.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Special Education Teachers, retrieved June 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Preschool Teachers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved June 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Special Education Teachers, as of May 2024, retrieved June 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Special Education Teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.