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Early Childhood: PreKindergarten - Grade 3 Certification, B.S.

Make a Difference from the Beginning: A Certification Option Early Childhood Educators

Early childhood is a unique developmental period, requiring similarly unique teaching strategies and styles. Children are driven by a natural curiosity and determination that makes them perfect learners. Your Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood: PK-Grade 3 Certified Teachers will teach you how to harness this curiosity, setting students on the path of lifelong learning. 
 
With your EC: PK-3 Certification you will be highly qualified to teach children age 3 through third grade in Texas public schools.

Teach Young Children from Diverse Backgrounds and Positively Impact the Entire Family

A child’s first years are their most formative and lay the critical foundation for emotional, intellectual and physical growth. You will acquire the tools to teach young children from diverse backgrounds and learn how to support young children as they grow and develop. Your coursework will include the study of child development, cultural awareness for young children, child guidance and classroom management, play in the early childhood curriculum, teaching young children with special needs, and early childhood curriculum and pedagogy related to reading, mathematics, science, social studies, and the creative arts.

Two Pathways to Certification

Traditional Undergraduate (initial certification) and Alternative routes for currently certified educators who hold a valid Texas teaching certificate. For more information on this certification, including the alternative pathways for currently certified educators, view the Frequently Asked Questions: EC-3 Texas Certification (PDF).


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Admission Requirements

Eager to make your dreams come true by studying at UHCL? Make sure you have what it takes to begin your journey to success.


Degree Requirements

Understanding the classes you need to take for your degree at University of Houston-Clear Lake is crucial to planning out your education. The buttons below will allow you to view the full degree requirements and give you an understanding of your academic experience. If you are currently attending a community college in Texas, click on the "Transfer Guide" button to view what classes can be taken at your local community college, and transferred to UHCL to complete your degree.

Early Childhood: PreKindergarten - Grade 3 Certification, B.S.Transfer Guide (PDF)


Cost Information

Create a plan for your education by studying the likely prices for your UHCL degree in education.

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Deadlines for Applying

  • Freshman Deadlines
  • Fall

    Priority - July 15 
    Final - August 1 

  • Spring

    Priority - November 1
    Final - December 1 

  • Summer

    Priority - March 1
    Final (Summer Session I & II) - May 1 


  • Transfer Deadlines
  • Summer 2024
    Priority - May 1
    Summer I Final - May 22
    Summer II Final - June 28
  • Fall 2024
    Priority - August 1
    Final - August 12
    Returning UHCL Students - August 14
  • Spring 2025
    Priority - December 1
    Final - January 6
    Returning UHCL Students - January 8

  • International Deadlines
  • Fall

    Priority Deadline - May 1
    Extended Deadline - June 1

  • Spring

    Deadline - October 1

  • Summer*

    Deadline - April 1

For more information regarding deferring your application, please visit Deferring International Admission.

Students interested in qualifying for scholarships &/or applying for visas outside the U.S. should apply and submit the application documents/test scores by the priority deadline

*International freshmen applicants will not be accepted for Summer semester.


Locations

University of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake

2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 281-283-7600

About UHCL


Accreditations and Distinctions

The College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

We've earned national recognition for accomplishment and innovation, including the Christa McAuliffe Award for Excellence in Teacher Education.


Early Childhood: PreKindergarten - Grade 3 Certification, B.S. Faculty

Elizabeth Beavers
Elizabeth Beavers

Elizabeth Beavers

Program Director and Associate Professor of Special Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3513
Email: BeaversEA@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite B1325

Elizabeth Beavers Faculty Bio

Amber Brown
Amber Brown

Amber Brown

Program Director and Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3627
Email: browna@uhcl.edu
Office: B1119-2

Amber Brown Faculty Bio

Shanna Graves
Shanna Graves

Shanna Graves

Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3578
Email: gravess@uhcl.edu
Office: bayou Suite 1119

Shanna Graves Faculty Bio

Rebecca Huss-Keeler
Rebecca Huss-Keeler

Rebecca Huss-Keeler

Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3535
Email: huss@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1119

Rebecca Huss-Keeler Faculty Bio

Preeti Jain
Preeti Jain

Preeti Jain

Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3567
Email: jainp@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou Suite 1119

Preeti Jain Faculty Bio

Neelofer Tajani
Neelofer Tajani

Neelofer Tajani

Clinical Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education,
Education

Contact number: 281-283-3543
Email: tajani@uhcl.edu
Office: B1119-3

Neelofer Tajani Faculty Bio