Early Childhood Studies
Overview
Transfer to our Early Childhood Studies degree program to become a professional who supports and positively impacts children’s lives. This is an interdisciplinary degree that combines the psychology, neuroscience, education and health of children, and the science of love and connection for children from birth to eight years of age.
Program highlights
- Infant and child mental health
- The basics of human anatomy and physiology
- New technologies
- Child and family bereavement
- Theories, observation skills and research
- Dynamics of relationships, communication, leadership and collaboration
Specializations
Select courses reflecting a range of interests or choose to focus your studies in a specialization:
- Children's Futures (first in the world to offer this specialty): Prepare to shape a brighter tomorrow by anticipating and responding to the evolving needs of children through innovative, ethical, and future-focused strategies.
- Infant & Child Mental Health: Explore more to further prepare yourself to support the emotional and psychological well-being of children by understanding the complex factors that shape their mental health from infancy through early childhood.
- Pathway to Child Life: Prepare for a fulfilling career as a Certified Child Life Specialist, completing the coursework required to gain the expertise needed to support and empower children and families in pediatric healthcare environments.
If you have any postsecondary education and you wish to apply to the University of Guelph-Humber, then you are a Transfer Applicant.
College block credit transfer pathways
Our college block credit transfer pathway allows you to move seamlessly with your college diploma into our honours degree program(s). If you are in your final year of diploma completion, or have a completed diploma, in Early Childhood Education with a minimum cumulative average of low to mid-70s, you are eligible to receive a block of transfer credit (10.0 credits).
Diplomas must be granted by a recognized institution in Ontario (or equivalent). Applicants from outside Ontario can refer to a list of approved Canadian ECE diploma programs that are eligible for consideration.*
We offer full-time and part-time programs for applicants with an Early Childhood Education diploma.
Full-time study on campus:
- Enjoy on-campus classes and campus life
- Take courses in fall and winter semesters
- Complete your degree in two years when you transfer with a completed ECE diploma (or equivalent)
- Your diploma fulfills your placement requirements, however, you have the option of completing an additional placement to build experience in diverse and specialized environments
- Start fall 2025
Full-time study online:
- Complete your courses from anywhere online with no set lecture times
- Graduate in two years
- Take courses in fall and winter semesters
- Your diploma fulfills your placement requirements, however, you have the option of completing an additional placement to build experience in diverse and specialized environments
- Start fall 2025
Part-time study fully online:
- Complete your courses from anywhere online with no set lecture times
- Graduate in two and a half years
- Take courses in fall, winter and summer
- Your diploma fulfills your placement requirements, however, you have the option of completing an additional placement to build experience in diverse and specialized environments
- Fast-track option (complete in two years/six semesters) only available once you're a student
- Start fall 2025
*If you are applying from outside Ontario and your institution is not on the list of approved ECE programs, applicants can check for diploma equivalency approved by the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario and may be eligible receive 10 transfer credits. If you have proof of equivalency from the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario, please contact Admission Services for admission advising. You may be required to submit a professional portfolio to demonstrate your prior learning and experience. Guidelines for the portfolio will be emailed to you and noted on your WebAdvisor account after applying. The portfolio includes a resume, philosophy statement and references.
General transfer pathways
If you have postsecondary education and are not eligible for the College Block Credit Transfer Pathway, we will evaluate your transfer credit based on your education history once you apply. The General Transfer Pathway is only for the full-time on-campus format.
Coming from a diploma program
If you have completed coursework or a diploma from a college diploma program, you must have a minimum cumulative average of low to mid-70s to be considered for admission.
Coming from a degree program
If you have completed a degree or degree-related coursework from a recognized college or university program, you must have a minimum cumulative average of 65% to be considered for admission.
If you enter the Early Childhood Studies full-time format through the General Transfer Pathway, it is important to know that you cannot transfer into the part-time online format at a later date as you will not have the placement and courses required.
Up to 800+ hours of workplace experience
General transfer students will be required to complete placement hours as part of their degree. Students who enter with an ECE diploma (or equivalent) will already have met the placement requirements through their diploma studies and thus do not have required placements in their program plan.
Past placements
- Children’s mental health centres
- Children's advocacy
- Community-based family organizations
- Early intervention and prevention programs
- Inclusive early learning and care centres
- Hospital child life units
- Primary school classrooms
- Therapeutic environments
Note: You will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening, documentation of immunization and a First Aid/CPR certificate prior to placement.
PLUS!
Borrow from our extensive collection of educational and therapeutic materials and toys in the Early Childhood Studies Resource Room to enhance your placements. Examples include Paro the therapeutic seal pup (robot) and virtual reality headsets.
Review the current program overview (below) to see the courses that make up the program you are interested in. Course scheduling is subject to change.
Full-Time On Campus (Block Credit) Full-Time Online (Block Credit) Full-time On Campus (General Transfer)
Part-Time Online (Block Credit) Part-Time Fast-Track Online
Some part-time students may be interested in the "Fast-Track" option, which means you take more courses in a shorter amount of time to finish sooner (two years instead of two and a half). This is something you decide AFTER you get accepted and discuss with your Academic Advisor. This is not an option when applying.
Get to know us better
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Attending the University of Guelph-Humber was the best choice for my academic success and helped me understand my potential as a professional.
Community outreach & leadership
Volunteer with your peers to support important social causes or community projects. Students have raised funds for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, served meals to families at Ronald McDonald House, and participated in campaigns for initiatives such as World Down Syndrome Day.
Support professional excellence
Be part of the annual Becoming Leaders of Open Mentorship (BLOOM) Gala. Help recognize the impact and leadership of our students, instructors and community leaders for the difference they're making in the lives of children and families. Nominations are student driven.
Options include...
- Play Therapist
- Early Interventionist
- Occupational Therapist
- Resource Consultant
- Behaviour Therapist
- Registered Early Childhood Educator
- Child & Family Therapist
- Early Learning & Care Supervisor/Director/Owner
- Children’s Lawyer
- Research & Policy Analyst
- Advocacy Specialist
- Consultant
- Child Protection Specialist
Graduate school and further education
- Bachelor of Education (Teachers College)
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology
- Master of Arts in Child Study & Education
- Master of Social Work
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Master of Arts in Immigration & Settlement Studies
- Master of Library & Information Science
Note: Some careers and entry into further education may require additional study.
If you don't see your career goal listed here - talk to us! There are many more options.
Instructors in the industry
You are taught by professionals currently working in their field. They will tell you what they’re experiencing in the workplace in real time.
Hands-on exploration
You will get hands-on experience through a variety of in-class activities and topics including:
- STEM with aspects of play and curriculum development
- Literacy – exploration of storytelling methodologies, the science behind the acquisition of literacy and pre-literacy skills
- Math – embracing the teaching of mathematical concepts through play and exploration
- Culture – exploring the values of play and how children play in Canada and throughout the world
- Music and movement – embracing music as a form of expression for children and discovering how to use movement in early learning settings
- Art – developing an appreciation of the communication that happens through children’s artistic expressions
- Sensory experiences – experiment with a wide variety of sensory experiences that can be used with infants and young children
- Technology – integrate ethical and effective technology use into curriculum programming
Interactive classroom
See first-hand how learning environments can support diversity and inclusion for children with a range of abilities when you use our interactive classroom full of SmartBoards, integrative learning technologies and kinesthetic learning modalities including AR/VR.
Safe spaces
Once you experience, it you’ll recognize it. U of GH creates a tremendous sense of safety through the support of the Chairs, instructors and staff. Feel comfortable to share your voice and care for your mental health.
Heading to law school
Graduate ready for Canadian law school or take advantage of our partnerships in England. Earn a senior status law degree (LLB) with The City Law School, City, University of London in just two years without an LSAT requirement, or a Master of Law (LLM) through distance learning with the University of London in one year (full-time) or up to five years (part-time). Both with reduced tuition.
A step ahead
After graduation, take advantage of our partnership for a Master of Science degree with the University of Guelph (in Guelph, Ontario) MSc in Management. Speak with Career and Placement Services for more information.