School of Education

Learning to Make a Difference

Early Childhood Studies Department

Before declaring the ECS major or minor, meet with an ECS Advisor to learn more about the program.

Welcome to the Department of Early Childhood Studies at Sonoma State University.

The Department of Early Childhood Studies (ECS) provides a high-quality curriculum that is committed to improving early childhood services and education and to advocating for social justice equity for all young children and their communities.

The ECS Department houses the following programs:

Mission Statement

"The Department of Early Childhood Studies prepares knowledgeable and caring professionals who are committed to contributing to a just society through high-quality education and social service for all children and families."

Children playing on Campus with various carts

Children playing on campus

Student helping glue the recycle bots for children

ECS Student helping children create their Recycle Bots with recycled materials

Little girl holding her recycle bots

Little Girl holding her Recycle Bot made from recycle materials

Little girl holding up her personalized buttons

Making of the Young Child, Collaboration with University Elementary at La Fiesta

Boy with his catapult

Child with his custom catapult

Little boy showing off her recycle bot made of recycled materials

Little Boy displaying his recycle bot

Girls hugging their baby dolls

Children playing with their dolls at the Children's School

Child playing with strong on board with PLAY spelled out

Child playing with string on a board

Three Children on swing

Children swinging on tire swing at the Children's School

Freshman students trying to balance in their team building

Freshman Learning Community in their team building exercise

Teacher showing 3D printer to students

ECS Alumni and University Elementary Teacher Ryan Kurada showing students the 3D printer

Students working in Early Childhood course

Students working on activity in the EDEC 490 Outdoor Curriculum Course

Students working in Early Childhood course

Students working on activity in the EDEC 490 Outdoor Curriculum Course

Students working in Early Childhood course

Students working on activity in the EDEC 490 Outdoor Curriculum Course

Student reading to three children in a circle

Early Childhood Master's student reading to children

Infant is sitting on floor playing with sketching toy

Infant playing with etch-a-sketch

Student playing in doll house with child

ECE Master's Student playing with child in doll house

Student presenting her final portfolio to peers

Early Childhood Senior presenting her Senior Portfolio to her peers

Two preschool children riding together on a bike

Children on a bike at the Lattice Education Achievement Preschool

Student outside playing soccer with child

Week of the Young Child Event with Children's School

Student outside playing soccer with child

Week of Young Child Event with Children's School playing soccer

Student observing the natural world with two children

Early Childhood Student working with children in the Science, Literacy, and Play: Exploring the Natural Work course at Taylor Mountain 4C's Preschool

Student observing the natural world with two children

Early Childhood Student working with children in the Science, Literacy, and Play: Exploring the Natural Work course at Taylor Mountain 4C's Preschool

Two children sitting on log reading a book together

Two children at the Children's School reading together

Student holding camera up for child to look through

Early Childhood Student showing child to use camera

Early Childhood Professional talking to child

Early Childhood Professional talking to child

Early Childhood Professional Playing with Children sitting around a table

Early Childhood Professional Playing with Children

Children playing on Campus with various carts

Student helping glue the recycle bots for children

Little girl holding her recycle bots

Little girl holding up her personalized buttons

Boy with his catapult

Little boy showing off her recycle bot made of recycled materials

Girls hugging their baby dolls

Child playing with strong on board with PLAY spelled out

Three Children on swing

Freshman students trying to balance in their team building

Teacher showing 3D printer to students

Students working in Early Childhood course

Students working in Early Childhood course

Students working in Early Childhood course

Student reading to three children in a circle

Infant is sitting on floor playing with sketching toy

Student playing in doll house with child

Student presenting her final portfolio to peers

Two preschool children riding together on a bike

Student outside playing soccer with child

Student outside playing soccer with child

Student observing the natural world with two children

Student observing the natural world with two children

Two children sitting on log reading a book together

Student holding camera up for child to look through

Early Childhood Professional talking to child

Early Childhood Professional Playing with Children sitting around a table

Little girl holding an umbrella up

The Early Childhood Department pushes students to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity present in our communities. -Early Childhood Alumni

Child is blowing a flower

I always knew I wanted to work with children but I did not want to be limited to only teaching. Choosing the development track showed me a plethora of possible careers I could choose from while still working with children. -Early Childhood Alumni

Five children laying on the grass with their hand binoculars

Having teachers that are passionate about what they teach makes the world of a difference. -Early Childhood Alumni

Child hand in finger paint with a smiley face in their palm

My early childhood field placement reinforced my desire to get a master's in Social Work. My education from Sonoma State left me feeling prepared and knowledgable about my future career. -Early Childhood Alumni

Child sliding circles across a bar at a park

I feel better equipped and more prepared to actually design a developmentally and culturally appropriate environment. -Early Childhood Alumni

Toddlers playing in a water and sand tray

I first had selected this major because I was interested in becoming a teacher. However, my interest in becoming a teacher was overpowered by a new interest in speech pathology.-Early Childhood Alumni

Two children working on a painting

Everything I have learned from my experience at SSU has reinforced how important our work in the field of early childhood education is. The importance of inclusion and how to achieve inclusion in a typically developing classroom. -Early Childhood Alumni

Child drawing in coloring book with markers

The information that I learned from this major will help me with my career and it will also give me the upper advantage over other medical school applicants. -Early Childhood Alumni

Child in red sneakers standing above chalk

It prepared me for becoming a future elementary school teacher. -Early Childhood Alumni

Toddler playing with falling leaves

I selected this major because I am passionate about early childhood and I want to work with children. I plan to become a child therapist and want to get my M.A. in Clinical Counseling in Mental Health. -Early Childhood Alumni

Programs We Offer

Early Childhood Professional playing with a Child

Major in Early Childhood

Major in Early Childhood

Early Childhood Professional playing with four children sitting around a table

Minor in Early Childhood

Minor in Early Childhood

Children playing on Campus

Transfer Students

Transfer Students

Student holding camera up for child to look through

B.A. in Early Childhood Studies with a Special Education Credential

B.A. in Early Childhood Studies with a Special Education Credential

Freshman students trying to balance in their team building

First Year Learning Community

First Year Learning Community

Student observing the natural world with two children

M.A. in Early Childhood Education

Masters in Early Childhood Education