Why choose Early Childhood at WSU?

• A need for well-educated pre-kindergarten teachers
• Currently available positions in Head Start and child care
• Great preparation for parenting
• Low student-to-faculty ratio
• Practica and student teaching in the Melba S. Lehner Children's School

What are the employment opportunities?

Students with Early Childhood majors are prepared to work in childhood programs or agencies that do not require a teaching certificate. Graduates with a bachelor's degree may become child life specialists or join the fields of child care financial management, child care licensing, social service agencies, preschool education, public relations and juvenile justice.

What are starting salaries of graduates?

Pay depends on the education you attain and the type of program you work for. The salary ranges from $5.75 to $10.71 an hour. Self-employed childcare workers earn varying salaries, depending on the hours worked, the number and ages of children and the location. Pay for Head Start employees ranges from $11 to $18 an hour. Median earnings for preschool teachers are $17,810.

What will I learn in the program?

You will learn about child development and its foundation for young children's learning and teacher planning, as well as Early Childhood curriculum assessment and instruction. You will be prepared to teach preschool children.