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Early Childhood Education

You have the opportunity to develop a foundation of knowledge and skills through experiences that will help you prepare developmentally appropriate educational programs for young children from prekindergarten through third grade.

Rylen Moore

Class of 2023

“My main career goal going into college was to teach and have an impact on children. OBU and the education professors helped me understand the bigger picture. Teaching is so important, but it is more important to care and see them as people first. Caring about them and loving them in a way that models Christ is the ‘most important’ impact you could possibly have.”

Benefits of OBU Early Childhood Education Program

You will:

  • be supported in your learning within the guidance and nurturing of a Christian environment.
  • gain knowledge of developmental milestones.
  • understand the learning process in relation to the development of young children.
  • learn relationship building skills and how to create a positive classroom culture.
  • focus on hands-on learning experience that engage young children.

Incredible Education, Affordable Cost.

OBU provides a minimum $10,000 per year scholarship to every incoming first-time freshman and $8,000 to every incoming transfer student. And you could qualify for even more financial aid! Many of our students also receive money through federal Pell grants and OBU Bison Grants.

To get an estimate of what your cost to attend OBU might be, please check out our Net Price Calculator. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with how affordable an OBU education really is. Especially considering the incredible academic quality, personal mentor relationships with faculty and staff, and strong Christian commitment you will experience at OBU. You won’t find an experience like this anywhere else!

Program Information

Job Opportunities and Outcomes

Many of our graduates seek a teaching position with young children within the public school systems of Oklahoma and Texas. With more preschools being established, you may choose to enter the field of education in this exciting area. Or you may seek the areas of Administrator in a Head Start program or Parents as Teacher’s Facilitator. Some graduates choose to be a Faith Community Coordinator and Educator, while others are interested in the area of childcare as a Child Care Center Director/Owner/Coordinator.

Dynamic and Challenging Programs

The School of Education is a dynamic, engaging, and rigorous program for students seeking teaching licensure. The School of Education prepares teacher candidates in the areas of elementary education (1-8 grade), special education (K-12 grade), early childhood education (Pre-K-3 grade), English education (6-12 grade), math education (6-12 grade), science education (6-12 grade), and social science education (6 – 12 grade). Programs in instrumental music (K-12 grade) and vocal music (K-12 grade) are also degrees associated with the School of Education.  

Nationally Accredited

The School of Education is nationally accredited through CAEP, the Council for Accreditation of Education Preparation. In addition, each licensure area is accredited through the state of Oklahoma. Graduates from our program are eligible to teach locally, nationally, and internationally. Faculty in the education program have a combined experience of over 100 years in public school education.  

Hands-on Instruction

The courses within the education program focus on learning the content, knowledge, and dispositions of an effective educator through hands-on and engaging instruction, alongside practical field experiences in the public school classroom. OBU’s teacher education program partners with districts all over the state, nation and world to offer experiences with diverse K-12 students.  

Field Experiences

One of the many noted strengths of the OBU Education program is the amount of field experience/practicum time that is provided across the four years of the degree program. You will be asked to complete between 85 – 120 hours of observation and practicum experiences in local schools prior to student teaching. Many students even have the opportunity to complete a practicum in a virtual, online setting. Through field experiences you will tutor children, teach small groups and whole classes, and practice differentiation and classroom management. Unique to OBU and a student favorite is the creation of an Interactive Children’s Museum over a topic of history and a fun-filled science discovery STEM day with hands-on learning for children.  

Research

Through coursework, you will be exposed to the latest research-based practices in education. Additionally, all education majors have the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive investigation of a research topic of their own interest. You will present about your topic to your peers, and may even have the opportunity to present your research to practicing teachers at educational conferences.

Equipment

OBU teacher education faculty will support you in understanding and utilizing the latest educational technology such as Smartboards, iPads, learning management systems and assistive technology. You will also be introduced to the OBU Planetarium as a tool for engaging learners.

Internship Opportunities

Field experiences culminate in a 14-week internship of student teaching during your senior year. Efforts are made to pair you with your school of preference within 50 miles of OBU. You also can choose to student teach abroad.

Student Organizations

You will be invited to participate in professional teacher education organizations, such as the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) and Student Professional Oklahoma Educators (SPOE), which enables you to network with other preservice and in-service educators across the state and nation. You also will be invited to travel to state and national conferences which offer professional development related to innovative, researched-based practices within the field of education. 

Faith Integration

Teachers are called by Christ and work on mission for Him. Through the coursework and field experience in the teacher education program at OBU, students learn first-hand how to share the love of Christ in the classroom. All children are created in the image of God, each with his own unique gifts and talents. Psalms 139:13-14 reminds us that each child is fearfully and wonderfully made, created by hands of God. The teacher education program focuses on celebrating the uniqueness and diversity within schools and classrooms. You will learn to focus on each child’s strengths to offer an engaging, rigorous curriculum while striving to meet all academic, social, cultural, and behavior needs to the best of your ability.

Program Options

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE)

World-Class Faculty

OBU faculty are experts in their fields and will be with you every step of the way.

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Dr. Elizabeth Justice

Chair, School of Education
Lawrence C. and Marion Harris Chair of Education
Associate Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Dr. Jeanne Akin

Mary A. White Professor of Education

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Dr. Rebecca Farley

Associate Professor of Education

Annie Keehn

Annie Keehn

Assistant Professor of Education
Co-Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and ACCESS Programs

Dr. Kellie D. Young

Dr. Kellie D. Young

Violet Sturgeon Minton Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education