Want to expand your impact? The Preschool Add-On Licensure may be your next step. This program is for licensed teachers in elementary education, special education or family and consumer sciences who want to teach children ages 3 to 5. With online, on-campus and evening options available, it's built to fit your schedule.
Birth to Kindergarten
You know how important the early years are in shaping a child's future, and so do we. Our Bachelor of Science (BS) in Birth to Kindergarten Education program prepares you to make a real impact from day one. Get hands-on experience in real classrooms and learn from experts. When you graduate, you'll be ready to step into your own inclusive classroom with confidence.
Degrees
Program Highlights
Get the tools to teach and care for children from birth through kindergarten. In this program, you'll learn how to support young children's growth across all areas, including physical, emotional, social and cognitive. You'll also explore how to work with families and build strong partnerships that support early learning. Your courses will focus on:
- Child development, including children with and without disabilities
- Planning and leading inclusive, age-appropriate lessons
- Creating safe, supportive classroom environments
- Working with families and community organizations
You'll also complete hands-on teaching through a full-time internship. When you graduate, you'll be ready to apply for your North Carolina teaching license.
Hands-On Classroom Experience
In this program, you'll do more than sit behind a desk. You'll get hands-on experience
in real birth to kindergarten settings through fieldwork and a full-time teaching
internship. These placements help you practice program planning, classroom management
and working with students. When you graduate, you'll be ready to lead your own class
with confidence.
Personalized Advising and Support
From the moment you join the program, you'll be matched with a dedicated advisor.
They'll help you build a plan of study and stay on track to meet your goals. Whether
you have questions about classes, licensure steps or student teaching, your advisor
is your go-to support system. You're never navigating the program alone.
Admission Requirements
As part of UNCP’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP), this major follows specific
requirements for admission, progression and graduation. Explore the requirements so
you know what you need for admission. Once admitted, your advisor will help you stay
on track.
EPP Requirements
Already Licensed?
Add a Preschool Licensure
Get Your MAT at UNCP
Think you might like to grow your career after graduation? You can advance your career
and your classroom impact with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) from UNCP. With
14 specializations, including birth to kindergarten education, you can choose the
focus that fits your goals. Plus, you’ll learn in the supportive environment you already
know and trust.
Explore MAT Programs
Beyond Graduation
The education program at UNCP is filled with great students and even more amazing professors. Due to the small class sizes, I was able to thrive as a student and build personal relationships with my professors, who pushed me to become the teacher I am today.
Anna Oxendine
Common Careers
- Preschool Teacher
- Head Start or NC Pre-K Teacher
- Inclusive Classroom Educator
- Early Intervention Specialist
- Early Childhood Program Coordinator
Want to learn more?
Our Admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you have.
or call us at 910.521.6262
Send us a message and one of our counselors will get back to you
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The Educator Preparation Program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and leads to initial licensure in North Carolina.