Childhood Pre-Education Major
Engage in coursework, service learning, and field study that provides you with an in-depth understanding of children and their needs within and outside of the classroom. This major provides guidelines for course selection that will help students move toward becoming a licensed educator and contributing to the learning and growth of children.
75
YEARS PROVIDING PRESCHOOL TO LOCAL CHILDREN
22
AVERAGE UPPER-LEVEL CLASS SIZE
45
DEDICATED FACULTY MEMBERS
100%
OF OUR STUDENTS COMPLETE FIELDWORK
Total Credit Hours: 120
Human Development Courses (36 hours)
Childhood Pre-Education Courses (18 hours)
General Education (42 hours)
Free Electives (24 hours)
What You'll Study
120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, including Virginia Tech's Pathways.
54 credits in Human Development for Childhood Pre-Education, including:
- Infancy and Early Childhood
- Middle Childhood and Adolescence
- Curriculum in Early Childhood
- Principles of Human Services
- Issues in American Schooling
- Educating Exceptional Learners
- Field study work with a local educational facility; Click here to access the Field Study Information Canvas site or click here to access the Field Study Handbook.
Related Links
What Is a Major in Childhood Pre-Education?
The major provides in-depth, foundational knowledge on how children develop that prepares you to become an effective educator. Our students also have opportunities to put their knowledge of development and family life influence into practice within an educational setting. These experiences support graduates as they pursue licensure through a graduate program and contribute to the learning and growth of children.
Why Study Childhood Pre-Education Here?
Our faculty have expertise in child development and conduct research on various intersections between development and learning. The Department of Human Development and Family Science also sponsors a state-of-the-art childcare facility, The Child Development Center for Learning and Research, which provides you with a variety of learning opportunities through observation and practice. A field study experience will also give you the hands-on teaching opportunities that will set you up for success in future classroom settings.
Beyond the Classroom
Our program includes a field study experience in an educational setting. You will get the chance to see first-hand what it is like to be an educator and learn the challenges and triumphs educators deal with every day.
Learn With Us
We have four centers that serve as living laboratories where we train students in the human services professions, serve the community, and conduct research that improves people's lives and sets new standards for the care industry.
- Adult Day Services Center
- Child Development Center for Learning and Research
- Family Therapy Center
- Center for Family Services at the National Capital Region campus
Faculty Mentor
There are opportunities to perform top-notch research with our faculty, who have a reputation among their peers for designing complex research studies. Talk to a professor about designing your own research project or investigating a topic that interests you. You will work closely with a faculty mentor to plan a course of action, discuss your findings, and write a report. You can also assist a faculty member with their research project.
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What Our Students Are Saying
“The human development and pre-education advising programs gave me hands-on experience in both conducting research and working in an elementary school. I spent more than 400 hours in the field I love most: teaching.”
— Vanessa Robinson, B.S. '18, M.A.Ed. '19
Careers and Further Study
Morgan Bowers '10
Morgan (BS '07, MA '10), who worked as a field study supervisor for Human Development when she was in college, is currently a school counselor at Crystal Spring Elementary School in Roanoke.
Gina Schnur, '18
Gina furthered her passion for studying children by completing a field study with Virginia Tech’s Child Development Center for Learning and Research and serving as a research assistant in the Children’s Emotions Lab. Gina also interned at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children and is now studying human development and psychology at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Amy Crow, '18
Amy’s always had a passion for working with children. She completed her field study requirement at two local elementary schools, shadowing teachers and engaging students. Amy says, “From that experience, I gained more confidence than I ever would have imagined, and I feel ready to teach my own elementary classroom in just a few years.” Amy completed the Masters of Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education program here at Virginia Tech and is now teaching first grade.
Vanessa Robinson, '18
As a student in human development, Vanessa conducted research on the growth of preschoolers in the Child Development Center for Learning and Research on campus. She completed two field studies at a local elementary school that reinforced her love of children and teaching. Vanessa’s experiences prepared her for Virginia Tech’s Masters of Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education. She is now teaching 3rd grade.
What do I do with a childhood pre-education major?
The major prepares you to pursue graduate school and licensure. Our program guides you to complete requirements to continue your pathway to becoming a licensed educator.
Our students pursue graduate school and careers, such as:
- Teachers
- School counselors
- Pre-School Administrators
- Reading Specialists
- Case managers
- Behavioral counselors
- Social workers
- Youth advisors
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