Early Childhood Education, Minor
Build a strong foundation in child development, learning and advocacy with this education minor. You gain the knowledge and skills to support young children and their families while collaborating in schools and community settings.
Quick facts
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minor description
Early Childhood Education minor description
A minor program in early childhood education enables you to combine knowledge gained in your major discipline with an understanding of educational practices for young children and their families.
You complete specialized coursework in topics such as childhood development, advocacy in early childhood, educational psychology, and family and cultural diversity.
The goal of this program is to prepare you to understand child development and apply that knowledge when collaborating with other educators in schools and other learning environments, such as preschools and community centers.
Why earn an early childhood education minor at ASU?
You gain the expertise to support diverse learners, strengthen inclusive practices, and lead with purpose in classrooms and beyond. This childhood education minor pairs specialized coursework with your major so you can grow in the direction you choose.
Additional details
At Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you become part of a community within a community. You take part in the traditions and resources available across ASU while connecting with a more close-knit group of students who share your passions and professional interests.
There are many ways to get involved, including community service, cultural and heritage events, fraternity and sorority life, intramural sports and fitness, Sun Devil traditions and Changemaker Central. There is a place for every student at MLFC.
Courses
This undergraduate minor includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The minor requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the minor, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The minor in early childhood education requires 18 credit hours, of which 9 must be upper division. |
||
| Required Courses | ||
|
CDE 350 Inequality and Diversity in Education
(SOBE)
or
FAS 370 Family Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
(CIVI)
or
HEP 443 Emotional Health and Interpersonal Relationships
or
JUS 235 Disability, Justice and Advocacy
(HUAD)
3 credit hours
|
3 | |
|
ECS 312 Social and Emotional Development of the Young Child
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
|
3 | |
|
ECS 430 Systems, Policy, and Advocacy in Early Childhood/Special Education
3 credit hours
|
3 | |
|
EDP 310 Educational Psychology for Non-Teachers
Students must complete three 1-hour EDP 310 courses.
3 credit hours
|
3 | |
|
SPE 222 Orientation to Education of Exceptional Children
(CIVI)
3 credit hours
|
3 | |
|
TEL 215 Introduction to Child and Adolescent Development
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
|
3 | |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
|
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
Incompatible Majors: All education majors
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this early childhood education minor prepares you for
Minor programs enable students to develop additional competencies that complement the marketable knowledge and skills they acquire in their majors.
Graduates with a minor in early childhood education acquire knowledge and skills related to child development and educational support. They are prepared to pursue careers that require working with young children and their families in a variety of educational settings, including childcare providers and after-school programs.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Division for Advancing Educator Preparation
|
ED 118
educationadvising@asu.edu
480-965-5555
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
