Integrated Early Childhood Education (PreK-3), Licensure)
As an Early Childhood Education major, you will join an intellectual community of learners engaged in exploration and preparation for not only your future, but the future of all the students you’ll teach.
The Early Childhood Education major will give you a wide ranging educational experience as you prepare to enter the classroom. You’ll be supported along the way by CBU’s expert faculty as well as highly experienced teachers who partner with us to mentor you. When you complete the program, you will be ready to meet teacher licensure requirements for the State of Tennessee, and perhaps more importantly, you’ll be ready to lead a class full of eager young students.
A few things set CBU’s early childhood education degree apart from other pre-K teacher preparation programs:
A Direct Path to Tennessee Teacher Licensure – CBU’s ECE BA is built to meet teacher licensure requirements for the State of Tennessee, so graduates leave ready to walk into a PreK-3 classroom, not just ready for more coursework.
Mentor From Practicing Teachers – Alongside CBU’s expert faculty, students are paired with highly experienced classroom teachers who partner with the program to mentor future educators through real, hands-on preparation.
A Well-Rounded, 124-Credit-Hour Foundation – The program pairs general education and liberal arts coursework with 54 credit hours built specifically around early childhood pedagogy, so graduates understand both how to teach and why it matters.
Early Childhood Education Program Highlights
The program requires 124 credit hours:
- 31 credits: General Education. Math, English, religious studies, natural science, foreign language, and fine arts courses
- 36 credits: Liberal Arts. Humanities and social sciences courses
- 54 credits: Early Childhood Major required courses
- 3 credits: Elective courses
Why Choose an Early Childhood Education Degree from CBU?
Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education at Christian Brothers University means preparing to lead a classroom, not just study one. The Early Childhood Education major gives students a wide-ranging educational experience as they prepare to enter the classroom, supported at every step by CBU’s expert faculty and by experienced mentor teachers already working in early childhood classrooms across Memphis.
When you complete this ECE licensure program, you’ll be ready to meet teacher licensure requirements for the State of Tennessee and be ready to lead a class full of eager young students. That’s the real measure of readiness for anyone becoming a Pre-K teacher in Tennessee: not just finishing coursework, but walking into a classroom prepared.
The 124-credit-hour curriculum reflects that balance. General education and liberal arts coursework build the broad intellectual foundation every teacher needs, while the 54 credit hours of early childhood major coursework focus specifically on the skills and pedagogy required to teach PreK-3rd grade students well.
Is Early Childhood Education the Right Degree for You?
If you’re drawn to shaping how young children discover the world, through patience, creativity, and steady encouragement, an early childhood education degree may be the right fit. Graduates of CBU’s program go on to lead classrooms in Pre-K schools in Memphis and across Tennessee, guiding students through some of the most formative years of their education.
Careers for Early Childhood Education Graduates
A degree in Early Childhood Education opens the door to a range of roles working with young children, both inside and outside a traditional classroom. Common career paths for graduates include:
- PreK Teacher – Leading pre-kindergarten classrooms in public schools, private schools, or Pre-K programs across Memphis and Tennessee
- Kindgergarten and Early Elementary Teacher – Teaching grades PreK through 3 in public or private school settings, aligned directly with CBU’s PreK-3 licensure track.
- Head Start Teacher – Working with early childhood education and development programs serving children from low-income families
- Private Preschool Teacher or Director – Leading classrooms or overseeing programs at private early learning centers and childcare facilities
- Instructional Support Roles – Serving as a classroom aide, paraprofessional, or reading interventionist while building experience or pursuing further licensure
- Graduate Study in Education – Continuing on to a master’s degree in education, reading specialization, or educational leadership for those interested in advancing into curriculum design, literacy coaching, or school administration.
Because the program is built around Tennessee’s PreK-3 Teacher licensure requirements, graduates are positioned to step directly into classroom teaching roles at Pre-K schools in Memphis and throughout the state immediately after graduation without needing additional certification coursework first.
Accreditation
Christian Brothers University is approved by the State Department of Education of Tennessee as a Teacher Training Institution. CBU’s undergraduate and graduate education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Meet the Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions – Early Childhood Education at CBU
What is a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education?
A Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education is an undergraduate degree that prepares students to teach young children, typically from PreK through the early elementary grades. CBU’s ECE BA is a 124-credit-hour program built to meet PreK-3 teacher licensure requirements for the State of Tennessee.
How do I become a Pre-K teacher in Tennessee?
Becoming a Pre-K teacher in Tennessee requires completing an approved teacher preparation program, such as CBU’s Early Childhood Education (PreK-3, Licensure) degree, and meeting the State Department of Education of Tennessee’s licensure requirements. CBU is approved by the State as a Teacher Training Institution.
What courses are required for the ECE licensure program?
CBU’s Early Childhood Education degree requires 124 credit hours: 31 credits of general education, 36 credits of liberal arts coursework, 54 credits of early childhood major coursework, and 3 credits of electives. Full course requirements are available in the academic catalog.
Is CBU’s Early Childhood Education program accredited?
Yes. CBU’s undergraduate and graduate education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and CBU is approved by the Tennessee State Department of Education as a Teacher Training Institution.
What is the Teacher Education Program (TEP) application?
The Teacher Education Program (TEP) application is a required step for Early Childhood Education majors at CBU to formally enter the licensure track. Students can access the TEP application directly from the program page.
What can you do with a degree in Early Childhood Education?
Graduates are prepared to lead PreK-4th grade classrooms and meet Tennessee teacher licensure requirements, opening the door to teaching positions at Pre-K schools in Memphis and throughout the state.
