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
Careers and Further Study
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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