ECFS and ECO major admissions applications for Winter Quarter 2027 are due on Thursday, October 15th
Early Childhood & Family Studies:
The Early Childhood & Family Studies (ECFS) program prepares you to support young children and families through a multidisciplinary, equity-focused approach. You’ll connect theory to practice in early learning settings, building the skills to design inclusive, culturally responsive environments through the Community-based Learning (CBL) experience.
The program requires students to complete CBL in most quarters throughout the program. This may include 3-5 hours of volunteering and/or applied assignments in a formal early learning setting. Dedicated staff place you in community-based early childhood settings for two years, giving you real-world experience from day one.
Education, Communities, and Organizations:
The Education, Communities and Organizations (ECO) major believes learning happens anywhere and everywhere— both in and beyond classroom settings. The curriculum in the ECO major prepares students to use content knowledge and skills in human development, equity studies, learning across contexts, and organizational change to address goals and priorities of targeted communities and organizations led by and serving folks who are systemically oppressed. The ECO major prepares students to meet the teaching and learning needs of communities in equitable ways while maintaining an active commitment to collective liberation. ECO believes that teaching and learning can be found in every community and profession: from classroom teaching to grassroots organizing, youth development, policy advocacy, research, communications, health care, and beyond.
The ECO major also engages students in a 3-4 quarter long internship and take a 3 quarter long capstone seminar their final year prior to graduation/degree completion. ECO Internship Program works to build mutually beneficial relationships with community partners to further organizational goals, address community- identified issues, and promote student learning. ECO students work with a community-based organization to increase capacity while also further developing professional knowledge and skills for collective liberation. Both students and internship hosts/mentors are supported by a dedicated team of faculty and staff who offer wrap-around support by facilitating communication, fostering synergy, and centering reciprocity in the relationship.
Early Learning Equity Scholarship:
**Eligible ECFS students can now apply for the Early Learning Equity Scholarship and get up to the full cost of attendance covered for two years!
This 2-year scholarship supports newly enrolled Early Care & Education and Early Childhood & Family Studies – Teaching and Learning students, or those returning after 1 or more years away from UW. It covers a student’s unmet financial need, including the cost of attendance for Washington state residents. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to entering or remaining in the early education field after graduating.
Any questions? Please connect with the College of Education Advising and Student Support team!
