Child Development - Birth through Kindergarten

Public awareness of the importance of early childhood education is growing, and there has been a call at the state and national level to increase funding for early childhood. Students who choose the Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development (BS) - Birth through Kindergarten (licensure) at Appalachian State University will receive a North Carolina Birth through Kindergarten (BK) teacher licensure. This licensure allows students to teach in both regular and special education.

The major focuses on children ages birth to five years and their families. Graduates can work in a North Carolina public school pre-K or kindergarten. Licensure professionals also can work in non-school settings and agencies with children and families, creating supportive environments for children and families that will assist professionals who work directly with families and family service agencies.

Required field experiences develop students' professional skills so they are ready for the workplace.

• Teaching in the public schools (PreK or Kindergarten)
• Child Care Resource and Referral
• Child Life Council
• Director or owner of early care and education center(s)
• Early Intervention agencies
• Cooperative Extension
• Non-profit: such as Make A Wish, March of Dimes
• Smart Start Partnership
• Summer camp director
• Teaching in early care and education
• Teaching in Smart Start
• Working with teen mothers

• Complete an application (apply using the Common Application)
• Provide your official high school transcript(s)
• Provide your official or unofficial college transcript(s) for any completed college coursework*
• Submit $65 application fee (or approved fee waiver)
• Submit official or self-reported SAT (school code: 5010) or ACT (school code: 3062) scores (or apply with a test waiver)
• Complete your FAFSA (application opens Oct. 1; school code: 002906)