What can I do with a degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education?

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education degrees give you the education you need to start or advance your career in interdisciplinary early childhood education areas including:

• Childcare professional
• Childcare center director
• Preschool teacher
• Infant-toddler teacher
• Teaching assistant
• Kentucky Head Start teacher

Numerous graduates also pursue careers as childcare directors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 average salary for a director was $49,160. Earning your bachelor's degree can prepare you as a leader in your organization and provide you with access to higher pay, greater job security and a path to teacher certification.

UofL’s interdisciplinary early childhood education track within the bachelor’s in organizational leadership and learning is designed specifically to be a quicker and more affordable pathway to a degree for early childhood professionals by delivering tuition-free college credit based on past work experience.

How can I use Interdisciplinary ECE as a stepping stone to become a certified teacher?

Graduates of this program can earn teaching certification through UofL by completing their Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. UofL’s online MAT in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education is an alternative certification program to get a jump start on your career.

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Interdisciplinary ECE Application Deadlines

Preferred Application Deadline	Term	Start Date
August 1	Fall I	August
October 1	Fall II	October
December 1	Spring I	January
February 1	Spring II	Late February
May 1	Summer	May

Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.

How to Apply to the Online BSOLL IECE Program

1. Start your application for undergraduate admission
2. Submit $30 non-refundable application fee
3. Complete any checklist items listed on your Application Portal*
4. Request official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Transcripts are only accepted directly from the institution(s) by email: adetran@louisville.edu (recommended) or mail: University of Louisville, Office of Admissions, Dept AO, Louisville, KY 40292.
5. Create a financial plan

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Online BSOLL IECE Admission Requirements and Materials

New Students and Transfer Students with less than 24 transferable credits from accredited institutions must have:

• High school diploma from an accredited institution (GED or equivalent accepted by petition)
• Minimum high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
• Composite ACT score of 21 or higher (test optional admission is granted on a case-by-case basis)
• Minimum of 2,000 hours (approximately one year total) of work experience
• Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) preferred, but not required for admission

Transfer Students with 24 or more transferable credits from accredited institutions must have:

• Minimum GPA of 2.25 on a 4.0 scale (applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA may inquire about conditional acceptance)
• Minimum of 2,000 hours (approximately one year total) of work experience

*Your Application Portal:

Once you have started an undergraduate application, you can check the status and review any additional checklist to-do items. Log in to your application using the email address you used to apply for admission and your password. Your checklist items may include additional materials or documentation that facilitate a smooth admissions process. You will also have access to important contact information and next steps after an admissions decision is made.

Interdisciplinary ECE Courses

The online BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning track in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education is a 120 credit hour program, which requires up to 29 hours of major coursework in leadership and learning as well as 12 hours of specialized study in IECE.

Course List	Hours
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Track Courses	12
EDSP 427 Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Child Development	3
EDSP 435 Administration and Consultation in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education	3
EDSP 438 Emergent Curriculum	3
EDSP 439 Guidance of Young Children	3
General Education Requirements	31
OLL Major Core Courses	24-29
LEAD 300 Prior Learning Assessment (take within the first year)	3
LEAD 311 Needs Assessment	3
LEAD 316 Instructional Strategies and Group Facilitation Techniques	3
LEAD 341 Managing Projects in the Workplace	3
LEAD 411 Human Resource Fundamentals	3
LEAD 442 Supporting Organizational Change	3
LEAD 540 Program Exit Experience (Culminating Undergraduate Experience/Practicum)	3-8
LEAD 578 Workplace and Information Ethics	3
Work Specialization (Credit hours needed will vary based on hours earned through the Prior Learning Assessment portfolio process)	9-48
LEAD 290 Occupational Subjects	2-42
LEAD 291 Occupational Learning	2-42
LEAD 390 Advanced Occupational Subjects	2-18
LEAD 391 Advanced Occupational Experiences	2-18
Elective Requirements (Credit hours needed will vary based on transfer credit and hours earned through the Prior Learning Assessment portfolio process )	5-44
Total Required Credit Hours	120

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Course Descriptions

Interdisciplinary ECE Success Team

Featured Faculty

Interdisciplinary ECE FAQ

• Can I enroll in the program if I still have General Education courses to complete?

  Yes, as long as you have been admitted to the College of Education & Human Development and the Organizational Leadership and Learning degree program. The academic counselor will work with you to identify the necessary courses and options.

• Will I pay UofL tuition for the credits I am awarded from my work experience?

  No, you will earn those credits free of charge! In other words, by completing the LEAD 300 Prior Learning Assessment course (which is a 3-credit hour class at normal tuition cost), and submitting a completed portfolio in which you will document and validate your work experience (i.e. on-the-job training, professional development, etc.) and/or military and/or industry training.

• Is there a part-time option?

  Yes, you can complete this program as a part-time student.

• Do I have to have my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential?

  The CDA credential is preferred when applying to the BS OLL IECE online program, but it is not required for the acceptance into the program. That said, if you do have your CDA, you can earn college credit for it as part of the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

• Does this program lead to teacher certification?

  No, this program does not lead to any certifications. Graduates will earn their bachelor’s degree only. Teachers within the state of Kentucky are required to have a certification to teach in K-12 classrooms. If you are outside of the state of Kentucky, consult the licensing board in your state for more information about regulations that may apply to you. If you are interested in adding on teaching certification after you complete this bachelor’s degree, we do offer a Master of Arts in Teaching.

• Is there a GPA requirement for admission?

  Yes, you must have a minimum of GPA of 2.25 (on a 4.0 scale) to be considered for admission to the program unconditionally. If you do not have a 2.25 GPA, you can be accepted provisionally. The Admissions Committee will assess applications on a case-by-case basis, carefully considering all qualifications.

• Is this program suitable for me as an out-of-state student?

  Yes, this program is applicable to students in other states.

• Is this program open to international students?

  Yes, this program is available for international students.

• Can I transfer in credits?

  Yes, you can transfer up to 60 hours from a regionally accredited community college and up to 90 hours from a regionally accredited 4-year college. We recommend that you have a transcript evaluation completed to understand how many transfer credits will count toward your degree.

• I’m a KCTCS Student, is there a transfer pathway for me?

  Check out the transfer pathways available from our KCTCS Transfer Page for more information.

• How long are the courses?

  The courses are offered in an 8-week format with the exception of LEAD 540.

• Does this program have a student teaching requirement?

  No, there is no student teaching required for this degree. The BS OLL IECE track does not require student teaching because it is not a teacher certification program. If you are interested in a program that leads to teacher certification, contact Betty Hampton at betty.hampton@louisville.edu. Application to the teacher certification programs requires a passing score on the PRAXIS CASE exam. The BS OLL in interdisciplinary early childhood does not require any entrance or exit exams because it is not a teacher certification program.

• Can I take summer classes?

  Yes, you can take summer courses. However, none of the IECE track-specific courses are currently available during the summer term.

• Are there any scholarships available?

  Scholarships available for students who qualify. Check out our Scholarships page to learn more.