10 Top Double Majors With an Early Childhood Education Degree

The top 10 double majors for an early childhood education degree focus on specializations that help teachers educate efficiently and provide a supportive learning environment where students can excel.

Having a double major gives you more versatile skills and a unique insight to utilize in your early childhood teaching strategies, allowing you to identify and adapt to the varying learning styles and needs of young students.

Early Childhood Education Double Majors

An early childhood education degree, especially one from one of the top early childhood education colleges, equips teachers with an understanding of how to support children's learning throughout their younger years, generally from birth through preschool age. Educators who double major can use their additional expertise to ensure they are creating the most effective and supportive learning environment.

Elementary Education

A double major in elementary education with an early childhood education degree, helps teachers form a cohesive understanding of how to educate children from the early stages all the way through elementary school. Graduates with this double major benefit from job opportunities teaching a wider range of ages where they can use their knowledge to support the process of transitioning students from early childhood learning environments into elementary level ones.

Child Development

A child development major involves courses that cover developmental milestones, learning processes, and how understanding cognitive and emotional growth can lead to more effective teaching strategies. As a double major for an early childhood education degree, a thorough education in child development prepares teachers to adapt their teaching strategies to meet the needs of their students and ensure they are actively meeting milestones.

Special Education

Special education focuses on inclusive education methods and creating education plans like IEPs to teach and support students with special needs. Pairing special education with an early childhood education degree combines a foundational understanding of early childhood teaching methods with the ability to address learning challenges and properly assist students with disabilities.

Behavioral Science

A behavioral science major, which includes courses that cover human behavior, the process of behavioral analysis, and how people interact socially, pairs well with an early childhood education degree. This double major enhances an educator's ability to develop efficient strategies for managing behavior in their classroom by giving them insight into how and why children behave the way they do.

Psychology

Psychology, the study of how humans behave and think, is a major that offers courses in developmental, educational, and cognitive psychology. Knowing how to understand the mental and emotional well-being of children and effective ways to offer support is a useful skill for educators. A psychology and early childhood education degree prepares teachers to facilitate a nurturing and understanding classroom.

Speech Language Pathology

A speech-language pathology major gives students an understanding of language development, speech disorders, and techniques to improve speaking abilities. As a double major for an elementary education degree, speech-language pathology provides educators with the ability to not only support children who are struggling with speech challenges but also support the development of speech in young children and promote effective communication in their classroom.

Foreign Language

A foreign language major like Spanish includes courses that aim to enhance your speaking proficiency and language skills. Double majoring in a foreign language with an early childhood education degree opens up opportunities to work in more diverse environments and communicate with a wider range of children. Speaking an additional language, whether it's teaching abroad or in a typical classroom, can help students feel more included and understood.

Sociology

A sociology major covers the study of society as a whole, with courses in societal relationships, social theory, and cultural norms. By double majoring in sociology with an early childhood education degree, teachers can gain an increased understanding of how to recognize social factors that influence young students and how to create a more inclusive classroom.

Early Childhood Studies

Early childhood studies, the study of educating, caring for, and supporting young children to ensure they meet developmental milestones, complement an early childhood education degree. In a double major program, early childhood educators can benefit from a stronger ability to assess learning progress, encourage family engagement, and create effective early childhood curriculums.

Children's Literature

A children's literature major involves courses covering various topics related to young readers and how to effectively use literature and storytelling techniques. Double majoring in children's literature with an early childhood education degree can help educators utilize literature in the classroom to improve language and literacy skills, an important role in early childhood education.

What Is a Double Major?

A double major is the combination of two specialties in one degree program—this results in a single bachelor's degree with two majors listed. Students who are double majoring can combine interests and increase their overall knowledge and skills within their field of choice.

Double majors are generally in subjects that complement each other. By planning out course schedules and utilizing elective credits, double major degree students can finish their degrees without taking additional time to meet program requirements.

Double Major vs. Dual Degree

Both double majors and dual degrees involve studying two separate subjects, although they differ in the program structure and result. After completing a dual degree which requires more courses and time than a double major, graduates earn two separate bachelor's degrees.

Dual degrees involve more coursework to gain a thorough understanding of two disciplines. Double majors are often more closely related, so courses tend to overlap, and with careful planning don't add additional time to the degree program, allowing you to still finish a double major in four years.

FAQs About Double Majoring With an Early Childhood Education Degree

Because adding a double major to an early childhood education degree takes academic commitment and a strong focus, it can be helpful to understand the benefits and outcomes. Knowing what to expect can help you make a more informed decision.

Can You Double Major With an Early Childhood Education Degree?

Yes, you can double major with an early childhood education. Adding an additional major to your degree program, such as child development or psychology, can enhance your overall understanding and give you more skills to utilize in your field of study.

Is a Double Major With an Early Childhood Education Degree Worth It?

Although it can be a challenge to complete coursework in two topics, double majoring with an early childhood education degree will provide you with a broader range of knowledge that can help you educate more effectively.

What Are the Benefits of Double Majoring With an Early Childhood Education Degree?

The choice to add a double major to an early childhood education degree comes with many benefits ranging from more career opportunities and an enhanced resume to a specialized ability to effectively educate and create inclusive learning environments for children.

Will a Double Major With an Early Childhood Education Degree Improve My Career Outlook?

Double majoring with an early childhood education degree can improve your career outlook, helping you stand out as a versatile educator who can handle more diverse opportunities. Your specialized knowledge from completing a double major can qualify you for more advanced positions that can benefit from your expertise.