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Bachelor of Science in
Early Childhood Education

On-Campus

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2026.

CAEP
Transfer Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Shape Young Lives with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Birth-K, Birth-3)

Develop the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact as a licensed teacher with Cornerstone University’s B.S. in Early Childhood Education, accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This degree equips you to nurture and educate children from birth through third grade — some of the most formative years in a child’s development. Acquire teaching foundations in early literacy, creative arts, and child health education, and gain valuable classroom experience through multiple classroom practicums and a student teaching internship. With a focus on both academic excellence and Christ-centered teaching by experienced faculty, you will be prepared to work toward education certifications from the State of Michigan for meaningful roles in classrooms, childcare centers, and early learning environments.

Develop Market-Ready Skills with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education Degree

Gain valuable teaching capabilities that are in demand inside and outside the classroom including:

Child Development Knowledge – Understand physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development in early childhood for creating age-appropriate learning experiences.

Classroom Management – Create a structured, engaging, and positive learning environment that fosters growth and minimizes disruptions.

Early Literacy Instruction – Teach foundational reading, writing, and language skills through interactive activities.

Experiential Learning – Incorporate play and hands-on activities to promote creativity, problem-solving and cognitive development.

Social-emotional Learning (SEL) Facilitation – Help children develop emotional regulation, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.

Assessment & Observation – Use observations, formative assessments, and screenings to evaluate children’s progress and adapt teaching methods accordingly.

Differentiated Instruction – Adapt lessons to meet diverse learning needs, including special education strategies and individualized support.

Morally Grounded Formation – Prepare educators to influence students, families and communities through a solid Christian Worldview foundation.

Early Childhood Education Certifications

Through Cornerstone University’s rigorous, award-winning program in early childhood education, you will increase your marketability with a certificate, specializing in one of two areas:

Birth-Kindergarten

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Kindergarten) Certification

Students in the early childhood program will work toward a general Birth-Kindergarten certification with special education emphasis. Through this major, you will earn certification from the State of Michigan. As a certified teacher, you will be able to teach in early childhood classrooms, inclusive early childhood classrooms, and early childhood special education classrooms.

This degree provides specialized training to help teachers identify developmental growth and delays in students to ensure that students receive optimal learning opportunities throughout their educational journeys.

What might make this degree a good fit for me? We recommend this path for students who desire to work with children from birth to five years old in settings such as daycares, early childhood education centers or special education classrooms.

How do I apply? Complete the On-Campus Bachelor’s Degree application and select the degree program (major) of Early Childhood Education (Birth to K).

Birth–Third

Early Childhood Education Plus (Birth-Third) Certification

Through this major, you have the potential to earn certification for two grade bands from the State of Michigan. Students in this program will work toward a Birth-Kindergarten certification with special education emphasis, as well as the general PK-Third certification.

The State of Michigan requires certification exams for each grade band. As a certified teacher, you will be able to teach in early childhood classrooms, inclusive early childhood classrooms, early childhood special education classrooms, young fives, and first through third grade.

What might make this degree a good fit for me? We recommend this path for students who wish to become well-rounded educators with a specialized certification in Birth through Kindergarten while also acquiring the experience necessary to teach in PreK through third-grade classrooms.

How do I apply? Complete the On-Campus Bachelor’s Degree application and select the degree program (major) of Early Childhood Education Plus (Birth to Third).

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in your chosen field. The information below reflects just a few of the general education and industry-focused courses you will experience to achieve your degree.

Featured Courses

EDU-265: Creativity for Whole Learner

Design meaningful, art-integrated instruction using research-based creative strategies. Create inclusivity through interdisciplinary, thematic approaches that teach, reinforce, and assess content for diverse learners.

EDU-352: Teaching Young Children

Design developmentally appropriate learning for children birth through kindergarten, focusing on curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom environments. Emphasis is on language acquisition, play-based learning, and holistic child development.

EDU-364: Responsive Teaching & Learning

Examine diversity in the classroom and apply strategies that address cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and at-risk student needs. Create inclusivity through Universal Design for Learning, brain-based practices, and evidence-based methods, all within a Christian worldview that affirms equality, civility, and individual worth.

EDU-371: Young Child & Community

Explore ways to engage parents and communities through communication, parent involvement, organizations, and volunteer programs. Create inclusivity by adapting curriculum to children’s cultural needs and fostering respect for diversity.

EDU-386: Classroom Management & Teacher Assistant Practicum

Explore strategies for creating a positive learning environment, including classroom behavior standards, student engagement, and assessment methods. Teacher candidates will apply classroom management principles in an elementary practicum setting.

EDU-446: Early Literacy and Language Development

Expanded focus on research-based literacy instruction for children birth to age five. It emphasizes integrating literacy into daily activities and strategies for early literacy development. A clinical practicum allows teacher candidates to apply these skills in real classroom settings.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

The Cornerstone Core™ Statement

The Cornerstone Core offers a groundbreaking general education unlike any other college or university in America. Faith, civic understanding and career preparation are fully integrated into one coherent formation. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, this focused 33-credit-hour curriculum develops both depth of character and clarity of thinking. The Cornerstone Core new general education curriculum is an antidote to the rising popularity of relativism, skepticism, doubt and moral ambiguity. Graduates are prepared to succeed in their professions and strengthen the institutions and communities they serve as Biblically grounded moral leaders to influence the world for Jesus Christ.

Students in every major study three areas:

The Beauty of Christianity

Examine the beauty of God, the Gospel, and the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Discover the coherence of a worldview rooted in God’s truth through Scripture applied today —- shaping character, conviction, and spiritual depth. We believe that beauty is more important than arguments and these courses will introduce students to the grandeur and beauty of Jesus and His creation and our place in the redemptive work of Jesus.

The Wisdom of the American Experience

Engage with Cornerstone’s Great Works Canon of the American Experience, by exploring the original speeches, sermons and foundational texts that shaped the American Republic, wrestling with enduring questions of liberty, order, duty and self-government. Graduates will learn what it means to be Christian citizens who are dutiful, wise, and formed with character to influence themselves, their families, and our nation.

Marketplace Intelligence

Develop analytical reasoning, scientific thinking, ethical utilization of artificial intelligence, commitment to free market economics, ethical clarity, and truthful and effective communication strategies to create solutions to complex challenges and serve society and humanity with excellence. Graduates will be able to consider and discern what is true, beautiful and good.

Learn more about the Cornerstone Core.

Learn More

Teacher Education Field Experience

To support teacher preparation, all Special Education and Early Childhood (Birth–K) majors will build on their coursework by developing skills in formal and informal assessment. Students will learn to diagnose learner needs, plan and teach targeted instruction, and use formative assessment to evaluate and adjust their teaching. This process is applied in a school-based apprenticeship, where students complete at least 420 hours in a classroom under the guidance of a professional educator.

Influential Careers with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education Degree

  • Public or private elementary school teacher
  • Child development specialist
  • Preschool teacher
  • Montessori teacher
  • Head Start teacher
  • Directors of before- and after-school programs
  • Family Support Specialist
  • Early Intervention Specialist

Tuition

On-Campus

$22,000 per year

Generous scholarship and payment options available.
Review information about student fees and housing packages on our Tuition & Fees page.

ScholarshipsFile the FAFSA

Your Degree Starts Here

Start your degree at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the region. An admissions counselor is ready to help you begin the enrollment process.

  1. Apply — our application is free.
  2. Set goals — your admissions counselor is here to guide you.
  3. Maximize your credits — you could transfer in up to 75% of your degree credits.
  4. Discover affordability — scholarships and grants are available for qualified students.

Cornerstone provided many situations for me to be in the classroom. It is helpful to have classes that tell us about how to teach, but ultimately, the most helpful thing is to take that knowledge and apply it. I had 3 practicums and many other tutoring and observation experiences that have really helped prepare me for my career.

—Dana F.

CU has prepared me extremely well to be an educator in the future. My professors were honest about the hardships we may face in the field, but also continually pointed us towards Christ as our strength.

—Grace P.

Being able to work with professors who loved God and were examples of how to worship through their work was really helpful in equipping me to become more like Christ. My professors not only taught how to teach well but also how to love and serve students as Christ would love and serve them.

—Alayna R.

Cornerstone University

Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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