Early Childhood Education
Every child deserves a great start and Texas Tech's Early Childhood Education program prepares students to provide one. Housed in the College of Health & Human Sciences, this Bachelor of Science leads to a Texas teaching certification for early childhood through sixth grade. Grounded in child development theory and hands-on classroom experience, the program combines coursework from the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences with a full year of student teaching. Graduates are well-prepared, state-certified teachers ready to make an impact in classrooms from infancy through elementary school.
Teach. Inspire. Change Lives.
Explore what makes Early Childhood Education at Texas Tech a hands-on, certification driven, career ready program.
Degree & Course Details
Advanced Classroom Technology
Students gain hands-on classroom experience at two NAEYC-accredited lab schools, the Christine DeVitt Child Development Research Center and the Texas Tech Center for Early Head Start.
Internship and Industry Readiness
A full year of student teaching through TechTeach places students in real classrooms across Texas, with school districts consistently praising graduates as exceptionally well prepared.
Signature Events & Experiences
From supervised infant and toddler lab experiences to supplemental English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education certifications, students graduate with credentials and classroom hours that set them apart.
Key Courses
View Degree Courses in Catalog
EC 3311 - Supervised Experiences with Infants and Toddlers
Supervised experience with infants and toddlers. State law requires students to pass a background check.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
EC 3310 - Prenatal and Infant Development
Study of how to promote the psychomotor, social-emotional, and cognitive-language development of infants from the prenatal period through the first two years in their interactions with caregivers, peers, and the environment.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
EC 3313 - Supervised Experiences with Young Children
Supervised experience with young children. State law requires students to pass a background check.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
EC 3306 - Understanding Child and Adolescent Behavior
Development of strategies for promoting self-discipline, creative capacities, and positive relationships with children and adolescents.
- View in Catalog
- Credit Hours: 3
Master’s and Accelerated Pathways
Texas Tech offers a master’s degree and an accelerated pathway for qualified students, helping them save time and tuition while preparing for career advancement in education, child development, and related fields.
Alumni Impact
Our graduates are shaping young lives across Texas classrooms and beyond. Explore where they are making an impact.
Samantha Villanueva-Meyer '07
Early Childhood Education
Chief Legal Officer of Enjoy Technology Inc.
Samantha Villanueva-Meyer '07
Audrey Ash '01
Early Childhood Education
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Burkburnett ISD
Audrey Ash '01Career Paths & Salary Ranges
From classrooms to administration, our Early Childhood Education graduates are shaping the next generation.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Incoming students are considered for merit scholarships when they apply for admission. Admitted students can find additional internal and external scholarship opportunities through Scholarship Universe.
All ScholarshipsDean's Scholar Program
Guaranteed scholarships for high-achieving students in Health & Human Sciences.
View Dean's Scholar Program detailsAcademic Support Team
Meet a few of you'll learn from. Explore their expertise and research interests, and visit their profiles to see publications, labs, and projects.
Miranda Llanas
Academic Advisor
Early Childhood Education
Shera Thomas-Jackson
Program Director
Early Childhood Education
Dana Weiser
Department Chair
Department of Human Development & Family Sciences
Program Overview
Student Organizations & Experiences
-
Children's Health and Medical Program (CHAMP)
CHAMP is a student-led outreach club for 4th to 7th graders, held twice a month at the Lubbock Public Library. Through hands-on sessions, kids explore topics like the human body, nutrition, and first aid. Our mission is to inspire curiosity and confidence, helping children grow and think like young change-makers.
Children's Health and Medical Program (CHAMP) -
Human Development & Family Sciences / Early Childhood Education (HDFS ECE) Ambassadors
The ambassadors are comprised of undergraduate students majoring in Human Development & Family Sciences and Early Childhood. The ambassadors serve as a collective voice of the students by addressing the needs within the department and work together to create a solution.
Human Development & Family Sciences / Early Childhood Education (HDFS ECE) Ambassadors -
Phi Upsilon Omicron
Phi Upsilon Omicron is an honor society for exceptional scholars in the College of Health & Human Sciences. Focused on academic excellence and leadership through service, the honor society invites students with 40+ credit hours and a 3.25 GPA to join each Fall and Spring semester.
Phi Upsilon Omicron -
Texas Tech Council on Family Relations
Members and stakeholders are committed to fulfilling the organization's mission by providing networking sessions, guest speaker meetings, service opportunities, and social events. We aim to create an educational forum for researchers, educators, and practitioners to share knowledge about families, establish professional standards, and promote family well-being.
Texas Tech Council on Family Relations -
Practicum Sites
The community practicum requirement allows Human Development & Family Sciences seniors to earn course credit while gaining hands-on experience at chosen sites. Most pre-approved sites are in Lubbock, with a few outside the city. Students interested in external sites must follow a process to recruit a new host for their practicum.
Practicum Sites -
Undergraduate Research Labs
Students conduct research across faculty projects spanning individuals, couples, and families across the lifespan. Benefit from advanced facilities, including the Child Development Research Center and more.
Undergraduate Research Labs
Related Programs
Human Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences lets you customize your degree by exploring three areas within the College of Health & Human Sciences.
Learn about Human SciencesHuman Development & Family Sciences
This program focuses on human development across the lifespan, emphasizing relationships and societal influences, preparing students for diverse careers and advanced studies.
Learn about Human Development & Family SciencesHuman Development & Family Sciences, Undergraduate Minor
This minor explores human development across the lifespan, emphasizing relationships and societal influences, and requires the completion of 18 credit hours.
Learn about Human Development & Family Sciences MinorCounseling & Addiction Recovery Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Counseling & Addiction Recovery Sciences prepares students for careers in counseling and human services, emphasizing clinical skills, ethics, and multicultural competence.
Learn about Counseling & Addiction Recovery SciencesCommunity, Family, & Addiction Sciences, Undergraduate Minor
Minor in Community, Family, & Addiction Sciences for those interested in counseling, relationships, and human services.
Learn about Community, Family, & Addiction Sciences MinorReady to Take the Next Step?
Reach out to our team to learn more about the incredible opportunities at Texas Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a B.A.A.S. option in Early Childhood Education?
Students with an Associate of Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degree can pursue a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Early Childhood Education. The B.A.A.S. does not include Texas teacher certification.
What is the student teaching requirement?
The program includes a full year of student teaching through TechTeach, placing students in real classrooms across Texas during their senior year.
Are additional teaching certifications available beyond EC–6 Generalist?
Yes. Students can pursue supplemental certifications in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education alongside their initial EC–6 Generalist certificate.
What hands-on experience is included in the program?
Students complete two semesters of lab experience with children, designing learning environments, planning lessons, and documenting development to share with families.
What GPA is required to enter teacher certification?
Admission to teacher certification is competitive and requires a minimum of 2.75 GPA. Students should consult with their academic advisor for full certification requirements.
Programs
-
Address
Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2011 -
Email
webmaster@ttu.edu