Completion of this major prepares one for a career as a certified preschool through third grade teacher and to work with students with special needs.
In addition to the Early Childhood Education required courses, students must also complete the required general studies courses as well as a full academic co-major from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Required Courses for Early Childhood Major and P-3 Certification (36 Credits)
Each phase must be completed before registering for next phase.
Course Number
|
Course Title*
|
Credit Hours
|
Phase I. Professional Foundations : Young Children, Family & Community
|
ECE 200
|
Intro to Early Childhood Education
|
3
|
ECE 215
|
Introductory Field Work I** (Taken concurrently with ECE 200) |
1
|
| ECE 460 |
Working with Families of Young Children |
3
|
| ECE 225 |
Professional Dispositions in ECE |
1
|
Phase II. Characteristics of Young Learners
|
| LTED 270 |
Emerging Literacy |
3
|
| ECE 210 |
Young Children’s Development, Behavior and Learning |
3
|
| ECE 220 |
Introductory Field Work II* (Taken concurrently with ECE 210) |
1
|
Phase III. Children’s Needs, Curriculum & Assessment
(Must be admitted to program before taking the following courses.)
|
| SPEC 310 |
Communication Skills in Early Childhood |
3
|
| SPEC 320 |
Educational Needs of the Preschool Child with Disabilities |
3
|
Phase IV. Curriculum & Assessment
|
| LTED 307 |
Nature of Reading Disabilities |
3
|
| ECE 350 |
Early Childhood Integrated Curriculum (Taken concurrently with ECE 331) |
3
|
| ECE 331 |
Early Childhood Field Experience** |
1
|
| ECE 300 |
Early Primary Curriculum |
3
|
Phase V. Applying Knowledge, Skills & Attitudes in Practice (Final Semester - must pass Praxis exam*** prior to taking the following courses)
|
| ECE 400 |
Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support |
3
|
| ECE 1480 |
Student Teaching in Early Childhood Special Education |
4
|
| ECE 475 |
Reflecting on Knowledge and Practice |
2
|
| |
Total Credits |
40
|
*View our catalog for course descriptions.
**Students must register by designated date for these field experience courses.
***Students must pass the Early Childhood Content Knowledge Praxis II (0022) one semester prior to Phase V.
General Studies Requirements
Course Number
|
Course Title*
|
Credit Hours
|
BIOL 103 or
BIOL 104
|
Human Sexual Biology or
The Human Body
|
3
|
| INTD 149 |
Human and Intercultural Relations |
3
|
| MATH 205 |
Problem Solving |
3
|
| PSYC 150 |
Development: Birth through Adolescence |
3
|
| SOCI 114 |
Sociology of the Family |
3
|
Available Co-Majors in the College of Arts and Sciences