Transfer Applicants
Overview
Early childhood is the critical beginning of life's great potential. So, devoting your energy to the early development of the whole child means your impactful work will resonate for decades to come.
Create connection and love that supports the child, strengthens the family, builds the community and defines a nation.
Go be the start of something big.
Earn 2 credentials
- Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Your degree is granted by the University of Guelph and diploma by Humber Polytechnic. You must complete all required courses to receive the credentials.
Program highlights
- Infant and child mental health
- The basics of human anatomy and physiology
- Digital tools and AI to enhance equity, access and innovation
- Child and family bereavement
- Ethics, privacy and children's rights
- 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)
- Anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of children through innovative, ethical and future-focused strategies
- Courses: Ethics & Privacy with Children; Technology & Innovation; Designing for the Future
Infant & Child Mental Health
- Support the emotional and psychological well-being of children by understanding the complex factors that shape their mental health from infancy through early childhood
- Courses: Grief & Loss; Social Epigenetics; Developmental Neuroscience
Pathway to Child Life
- Prepare for a career as a Certified Child Life Specialist, completing the coursework required to gain expertise needed to support and empower children and families in pediatric healthcare environments
- Courses: Introduction to Child Life; Development in Adolescence; Grief & Loss
If you have any postsecondary education and you wish to apply to the University of Guelph-Humber, then you are a Transfer Applicant. Our college block credit transfer pathways and general transfer pathways demonstrate the transfer credit available to you.
College block credit transfer pathway
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.
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 2026
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 2026
Part-time study (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
- No required placement to complete
- Fast-track option (complete in two years/six semesters) available only once you’re a student
- Start fall 2026
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.
Review the current program overview for the courses that make up the format you are interested in. Course scheduling is subject to change.
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
Gain experience each year and graduate with as many as 800+ hours of workplace experience.
If you are a general transfer student, you will be required to complete placement hours as part of your degree. If you enter with an ECE diploma (or equivalent), you already have met the placement requirements through your diploma studies and thus do not have required placements in your program plan.
Past placement partners
- 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.
Early Childhood Studies Resource Room
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)
- Virtual reality headsets
- iPads with educational apps
- Fidget toys
Community outreach & leadership
Volunteer with your peers to support important social causes or community projects. Students have created art installations in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, 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 Science in Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care
- 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.
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The supportive environment in this program fosters academic growth, lifelong friendships and professional networks.
Transitioning to university can be overwhelming, but we're here to support you every step of the way.
Check out the supports available to you. For more information on support services, visit our Student Experience page.
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.