The early childhood education major leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and prepares teachers for certification in preschool (P) through grade 5. Early childhood education teachers must have an extensive general education, a thorough understanding of the principles of human growth and development, specialized study in a variety of professional education courses, experiences designed to prepare teachers for working with preschool children and planned field-based experiences with diverse and exceptional children. These experiences must provide application and synthesis of theoretical learning.