Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education

It's never too early to start making a difference in a child's life.

Gain the expertise you need to make a positive educational impact in the lives of children from the very beginning — from infancy to the Kindergarten classroom — with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education online degree.

At University of the Cumberlands, we’re here to help you help even the littlest ones find learning success through our early childhood education bachelor’s degree. From providing free textbooks to offering this degree in an online format, we're committed to making it as easy as possible for you to get the education you need to succeed in this important sector of education. With the exception of field/clinical and student teaching hours, this online early childhood education degree program provides the convenience and flexibility needed to pursue a teaching degree in early childhood settings on your schedule and at your pace.

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By the Numbers

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education

For many educators, there is nothing more fulfilling than helping a child discover the joys of learning. Teachers enter the profession because they want to make a difference. And while “lightbulb moments” are priceless, what educators really want is the kind of wealth that multiplies and brings prosperity to generations of learners. At Cumberlands, we understand that passion, that mission, and we're ready to prepare you to step into a successful career in early childhood education.

The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Program (IECE) is an online program designed for those candidates who plan to enter the field of Birth-Primary Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education with competencies in Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Music, Movement, Adaptive Behaviors, Health and Safety, Special Education, and Family Involvement Strategies. This program leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science and certification for Birth-Primary Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. Individual programs should be planned in partnership with the candidate’s education advisor.

Course Requirements

Required IECE Courses (63 hours)

Required Related Studies (27 hours)

Electives (6 hours)

Technology Elective (Choose one of the following)

Diversity Elective (Choose one of the following)

Pathways for KCTCS Students

Under this pathway, students who have completed an Associate’s degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education at Somerset KCTCS may transfer up to 80 hours of course credit to University of the Cumberlands.

University of the Cumberlands and Somerset KCTCS have correlated efforts for Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education students. This effort provides for a seamless pathway for students completing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education through KCTCS to move towards completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in Education through the School of Education at University of the Cumberlands.

The general requirement for graduation from University of the Cumberlands with the Bachelor of Science in Education is the completion of at least 120 semester hours including:

General education – 50 hours
Education major – 78 hours, including student teaching

(Some of these hours may be completed at the community college level.)

KCTCS students interested in additional information regarding transferring coursework to University of the Cumberlands should visit our Transfer Student page to learn more and request a review of their transcripts.

Option 9 Education Certification Program

The influence of a teacher on a child’s life leaves an immeasurable impact. Now is your time.

University of the Cumberlands offers an EPSB-approved Option 9 program. This alternative route is available to both in-seat and online Cumberlands students. Cumberlands offers programs in early interdisciplinary education, elementary education, and middle school education.

While education students at Cumberlands are completing coursework, they will have the opportunity to immediately put their learning into practice as an instructional assistant in a classroom, receive mentorship from experienced teachers in the district, and complete their bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, in as little as three years.

We offer Option 9 pathways for candidates pursuing certification in early childhood education, elementary education, and middle school education.

To learn more information or to find out if your school district has an Option 9 partnership in place with Cumberlands, visit our Option 9 page.

Learn More

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Mission & Goals

Develop entry-level education students into highly qualified, knowledgeable and caring teachers who provide for diverse learners.

Provide the pedagogical instructional methods necessary to meet the Kentucky Teacher Standards and University of the Cumberlands’ Standards.

Strengthen your abilities to critically reflect and evaluate your skills, thereby providing the opportunity for growth.

Nurture an appreciation and refinement of ethical and Christian moral values in future teachers.

Build robust oral, written, and information literacy skills in students.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Early Childhood Education Careers & Outcomes

Preschool Teacher: $30,210

Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten.

Childcare Worker: $27,490

Childcare workers attend to children's needs while helping to foster early development.

Childcare Center Director: $47,310

Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead their staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets.

SPED Preschool Teacher: $62,240

Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Elementary School Teacher: $61,350

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Preschool Administrator: $49,690

Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Is this class taught in a blended online format?

Yes. Early Childhood Education Degree courses will be offered primarily in a synchronous, online format, but some general education core courses will be offered in a blended online format using Blackboard in the asynchronous environment, as well as face-to-face interactions, through:

Clinical/Practicum/Student-Teaching Observations
Co-Teaching Professional Development
Individual Advising Sessions
On-Site seminars

How affordable is this program?

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

What is interdisciplinary early childhood education?

An online bachelor’s degree in early childhood education offers the training that educators need to help young children succeed in school. The coursework covers topics such as strategies for exceptional learners, working with parents and families of all cultures, assessment in childhood learning, child development, classroom management, curriculum planning and much more.

What can I do with a bachelor's in early childhood education?

A lot, actually. There are a number of job opportunities available for professional educators with relevant college training. Upon graduating with your early childhood education degree from University of the Cumberlands, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as a:

Is an online degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education worth it?

That depends. Do you have a heart for helping young children succeed? Does instilling a lifelong love of learning sound more like a mission for your life than a job to do? Are you ready to make a real difference? Then, yes, an early childhood education degree from University of the Cumberlands is definitely “worth it."

What kind of support will Cumberlands offer throughout this program?

You can rest assured that you'll have support from Cumberlands as you earn your degree. We provide high-quality instruction, an accessible support system, online course delivery, and the flexibility to advance at a pace that accommodates your life. We want you to be able to make an investment in yourself that pays off for young learners.

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