Online Bachelor of Science in Education (BS)
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood
Program Overview
Are you passionate about early childhood education? Get your online Bachelor of Science in Education and work with children ages birth through kindergarten (B-K).
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers a fully online bachelor’s degree program with licensure pathways and a non-licensure track. Grounded in evidence-based practices, the program emphasizes child-centered curriculum development, high-quality instructional materials, technology integration, and assessments. It prepares educators to work with diverse families and communities, viewing diversity as a valuable opportunity to enrich educational experiences.
Fulfill Your Passion and Work in Early Childhood Education
The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Programs are offered fully online, developing early childhood practitioners who demonstrate expertise in child-centered education applicable to working with young children with and without disabilities and their families. The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Program offers two different options to meet the important demands in the field.
Integrated Birth to Kindergarten, Licensure
This program prepares candidates to teach children from birth through kindergarten in Tennessee public schools. It offers flexible pathways but requires student teaching in a state-approved setting for licensure.
Early Care and Education, Non-licensure
This program is designed for those working with children (birth–age 8) outside public schools. Offers flexibility for professionals with clinical experience in community-based settings like Head Start or child care agencies.
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Key Dates & Deadlines
Program Concentrations
Which Pathway is Right for You?
Integrated Birth to Kindergarten
Licensure Pathway
Undergraduate degree
This is for individuals with 24 hours of transferable college credits and a cumulative GPA of 2.50.
The Interdisciplinary Early Childhood (Integrated B-K) concentration is for students looking to transfer, earn a degree in Integrated Early Childhood Education, and gain licensure to teach children ages birth through kindergarten.
Post Baccalaureate
For individuals with an undergraduate degree seeking initial licensure in the state of Tennessee.
The post-baccalaureate option allows undergraduate degree holders to take coursework to earn their first teaching license in the state of Tennessee. While the courses are online, students technically attend our Knoxville campus and will apply as non-degree students.
Add-On Endorsement
For individuals currently certified in Tennessee.
The add-on endorsement is offered to fulfill state requirements for adding an Integrated Birth-Kindergarten endorsement to an active Tennessee license. While the courses are online, students technically attend our Knoxville campus and will apply as a non-degree student
*All students seeking licensure must also apply for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program through UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Application requirements and timelines for completion will be discussed during academic advising.
Early Care and Education
Non-licensure Pathway for Undergraduate Degree
Admission requirements: 12 credit hours, minimum 2.0 GPA
The Early Care and Education concentration is designed for students who desire to work in the education field but not as a licensed teaching professional. Students with degrees are qualified to work in childcare, administration, school assistants, and more.
Featured Courses
The online Interdisciplinary Early Childhood program combines coursework and hands-on practicums in birth–kindergarten teaching, developmental theory, and inclusive practices. The Birth to Kindergarten and Early Care and Education tracks share several core courses.
Final Practicums
Each program ends with a full-time, semester-long practicum. The tracks differ here: Early Care and Education students take IEC 471, while Birth to Kindergarten students take IEC 472.
Current theories and practices associated with the development and enhancement of language in young children (birth through 8) from diverse backgrounds and ability levels are discussed.
This course explores basic concepts, rationales, frameworks, and vocabulary related to global citizenship, intercultural competence, and international perspectives of childhood education and learning, comparing international learning environments critically.
Education B-K, Licensure
Pre-K Teaching: Semester-long, full-time student teaching experience conducted in a Tennessee Department of Education preschool or kindergarten classroom setting within students’ local communities.
Early Care and Education, Non-Licensure
Supervised experiences working with children and families ages birth to 8 in community early childhood settings.
