BS Early Childhood Education at Iowa State University

Programme overview

The degree in early childhood education – unified (ECE) is Administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. The ECE curriculum prepares graduates to teach young children (birth through age 8/third grade) and work with their families. Students meet performance outcomes through coursework and a variety of practicum experiences with infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary school age children (K-3) with varying abilities and needs.

Faculty: College of Health and Human Sciences | Duration: 122 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ames, IA, United States

What you will study

Curriculum totals 122 credits. Required and core courses listed in the curriculum include EDUC 3320 Educational Psychology of Early Childhood and Elementary Education **; EDUC 4050 Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Early Childhood and Elementary; HDFS 2400 Children’s Literature **; HDFS 3400 Infant-Toddler Curriculum and Assessment **; HDFS 3420 Social-Emotional Development and Guidance **; HDFS 3430 Preschool Curriculum and Assessment **.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Iowa State University and its college, not to the individual major (Iowa State does not make admission decisions by major). First-year applicants are admitted on the Regent Admission Index (RAI = ACT composite x 3 + cumulative GPA x 30 + years of high school core courses x 5); an RAI of at least 245 with the minimum high school course requirements (4 years English, 3 years mathematics including algebra, geometry and advanced algebra, 3 years science, 2 years social studies) receives automatic admission, and applicants below 245 may be considered through individual review. Iowa State is test-optional for first-year applicants.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for first-year applicants include Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027. International undergraduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and may be submitted up to one year before the intended start date; applying at least six to eight weeks in advance is strongly recommended.

International undergraduate applicants pay a nonrefundable application fee of $65 by credit card through the online application system; fee waivers are not offered. SAT/ACT are not required for applicants educated abroad or for transfer students. First-year applicants: Iowa State is test-optional for ACT, SAT or CLT scores; admission is based on the Regent Admission Index. Apply with the institutional application or the Common App.

Apply through the official page: https://apps.admissions.iastate.edu/apply/online/

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