The Early Childhood Education program at USI prepares you to be a reflective practitioner who understands your students, their communities, and your subject area. Designed for those pursuing or holding a teaching license outside of early childhood education, the program includes an early childhood content minor that focuses on teaching in the P-3 setting. You will learn research-based pedagogical practices that promote the well-being of young children in diverse environments. The program is connected with the Children’s Learning Center on campus, which is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Indiana’s Paths to Quality Rating (Level 4), allowing you to integrate coursework with practical observation and classroom participation.
USI’s early childhood education program features small class sizes, hands-on learning activities, and field experiences in local child care centers and public schools. If you are seeking a license to teach in early childhood settings, it is recommended to consult the University’s teacher licensing advisor in the Teacher Education Department for detailed program information.
An undergraduate student should initiate a Change of Academic Program if they wish to add or remove a minor.
The student obtains a Change of Academic Program form from the Registrar's Office or the department of the new major/minor, secures the signature of the department chair/director (or dean) of any major/minor to be added, and returns the form to the Registrar's Office for processing.
A student must submit the completed form by the Thursday before priority registration if the change is to be made within the current semester. Unless granted a waiver by the department of the new major, the student must meet all current program requirements for graduation.
To apply to the University of Southern Indiana (USI) for undergraduate enrollment:
Once USI has processed your application, transcript(s) and scores (if needed), a decision will be made by Undergraduate Admissions and you will receive a notification.
Upon acceptance to USI, you'll receive detailed information about next steps, including orientation, registration and housing.
This minor pairs well with Elementary Education or Special Education and prepares you for careers working with children ages birth through grade 3.
*income information provided by O*NET Online. Occupation opportunities vary by region and experience.
The University of Southern Indiana is committed to making college accessible to those wishing to further their education by providing numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid options to assist students in managing tuition expenses.
The University of Southern Indiana offers programs that lead to educator licensure in 20 areas. The cluster of all educator licensure programs is referred to as the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
The Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education has primary responsibility for the EPP and oversees functions that cut across 10 departments and two colleges, with the Teacher Education Department as the hub. Click here to learn more.
Requirements for licensure and certification vary by profession and by state. USI has reviewed the educational requirements for each state and licensing agency to determine if the academic program here at USI meets the educational requirements to be eligible for licensure/certification in each state or not. Please note that some states may have additional requirements for licensure, such as residency requirements, additional non-academic certifications, etc. that USI cannot determine. We encourage you to check with your state's licensing agency for all requirements needed to obtain licensure.
