91影视 Approved for First Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Child Development
Published
91影视 received approval from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to offer a Bachelor of Science in Child Development, the first bachelor鈥檚 degree in the College鈥檚 55-year history.
91影视 received approval from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to offer the first bachelor鈥檚 degree in the College鈥檚 55-year history. The Bachelor of Science in Child Development is expected to launch in Fall 2026, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission.
The bachelor鈥檚 degree will expand affordable pathways for students preparing to work with children from birth through age 5. It will feature stackable credentials aligned with national organizations, and students will complete fieldwork and practicum experiences to apply classroom learning in workplace settings. Courses will be offered both in person and online.
鈥淭his degree strengthens the early childhood workforce at a time when Oklahoma needs it most,鈥 said 91影视 President and CEO Leigh Goodson, Ph.D. 鈥淩esearch consistently shows that the first five years of a child鈥檚 life shape long-term learning. Families, childcare providers and employers all benefit when we invest in the people who support young children during their most formative years.鈥
鈥淕KFF has been proud to work closely with 91影视 over the years, and we deeply respect the quality of their faculty and students in this very important field of work,鈥 said Ken Levit, Regent for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Executive Director of the George Kaiser Family Foundation. 鈥淭his new program in early childhood development will have significant impact on the lives of children and families throughout Tulsa for many decades.鈥
Oklahoma continues to face shortages of early childhood educators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, preschool education positions are projected to increase by 15 percent between 2021 and 2031. Job opportunities are widespread due to an increased focus on early education by many state governments and a high turnover rate in the field.
Program graduates will be prepared for roles in early childhood education, youth programs, child advocacy, and family services or for advanced study in related disciplines.
The degree program will be funded through existing resources and new enrollment generated by the program. Existing 91影视 faculty members will teach the courses in the program.