Child Development (BS) - Birth through Kindergarten (licensure)

About

Public awareness of the importance of early childhood education is growing, and there has been a call at the state and national level to increase funding for early childhood. Students who choose the Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development (BS) - Birth through Kindergarten (licensure) at Appalachian State University will receive a North Carolina Birth through Kindergarten (BK) teacher licensure. This licensure allows students to teach in both regular and special education.

The major focuses on children ages birth to five years and their families. Graduates can work in a North Carolina public school pre-K or kindergarten. Licensure professionals also can work in non-school settings and agencies with children and families, creating supportive environments for children and families that will assist professionals who work directly with families and family service agencies.

Required field experiences develop students’ professional skills so they are ready for the workplace.

After Graduation

Employment: Both at the state and national level, there has been a call to increase funding for early childhood. Graduates can work in a North Carolina public school pre-K or kindergarten. Graduates of this program can also find jobs in non-school settings such as Early Intervention agencies, summer camps, early care and education centers (teacher or director), teen pregnancy programs, or with organizations such as Child Life Council, March of Dimes, Make a Wish Foundation and Cooperative Extension.

Graduate School: Complementary graduate programs include:

Birth through Kindergarten
Early Intervention
Speech-Language Pathology: Master of Science (MS)
Professional School Counseling: Master of Arts (MA)
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Reading Education: Master of Arts (MA)
Special Education: Master of Arts (MA)

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

Student Profile: Kaitlyn Helton

Kaitlyn Helton is an instructional support associate in McDowell County’s Head Start program — and is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in child development-birth through kindergarten (licensure) through Appalachian State University’s App State Online.
Alumni Profile: App State leads nation in board certified teachers

For the sixth consecutive year, App State tops the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ list of “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs,” leading the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — 2,211.

Courses

Related Programs

Minors

A minor is not required for this degree.

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Engagement Outside the Classroom

Child Advocacy Club – a child development advocacy organization working to educate and advocate for the rights of the children and families in our community. Service projects include escorting children in the homecoming parade, hosting diaper drives and book drives, building a children’s library at the area homeless shelter, supporting March of Dimes and more.

Early Childhood Care and Education Leaders Club (ECCEL) – a club promoting the field of early childhood education, developing student leadership and advocacy skills, and connecting current students with mentors and alumni while raising awareness of the need for highly trained professionals in early education.

View all student organization contacts

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

This program includes opportunities for study abroad. Students have studied in Australia, Africa and Costa Rica.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.

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Degrees

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Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

This degree includes five field experiences: an infant/toddler practicum of 150 hours, a preschool practicum of 150 hours, a kindergarten practicum of 60 hours, a student teaching assignment for 10 weeks, and an agency internship for 5 weeks.
Students also gain experience on campus at the Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program (LBCDLP), a Reggio-inspired child development program with an emergent curriculum.
The program’s innovation includes a partnership with LBCDLS and Watauga County Public Schools with a N.C. pre-K classrooms in Parkway, Cove Creek, and Blowing Rock elementary schools. This provides opportunities for supervised field placements.
Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Location

Boone and Hickory* and online

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

Teaching in the public schools (PreK or Kindergarten)
Child Care Resource and Referral
Child Life Council
Director or owner of early care and education center(s)
Early Intervention agencies
Cooperative Extension
Non-profit: such as Make A Wish, March of Dimes
Smart Start Partnership
Summer camp director
Teaching in early care and education
Teaching in Smart Start
Working with teen mothers

Contacts

Reich College of Education

Department of Family and Child Studies

Denise Brewer
Chair
brewerdm@appstate.edu
828-262-7966

Dionne Busio
Program Director of Birth – Kindergarten
sillsbusiodm@appstate.edu
828-262- 2019

Andrea Anderson
Lucy Brock Child Development Laboratory Program Director
andersonaw@appstate.edu,
828-262-3006

Department of Family and Child Studies
The Department of Family and Child Studies in Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education prepares students to assume professional roles working with children and families in school and non-school settings. The department focuses on the developmental study of families and children in all areas of society and in all cultures.

Reich College of Education
Approximately 2,400 students
- The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. It houses five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Family and Child Studies, Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Reading Education and Special Education.
Teacher preparation
- Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. There is at least one RCOE graduate working in every county in North Carolina.
- The Reich College of Education is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the State Board of Education.
Close ties to public schools
- The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership – which includes 125 schools in nine surrounding districts – provides sites for student teachers and interns as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.
- The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, serves over 300 K-5 students. The Academy provides a balanced education through the implementation of research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction, and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.
Graduate programs
- The School of Graduate Studies’ Accelerated Admission program, in which select undergraduate students can fulfill both undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year toward the completion of a graduate degree program, is offered in: higher education, reading education and special education.
- Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.