Undergraduate Studies

Bachelor of Science in Education: Early Childhood
This program is designed for students wishing to teach and direct programs for children from birth through grade three.

General Education Requirements:
Students entering college first time, Fall 2002 should refer to the Introductory section of this Bulletin for their General Education Requirements.

English and Communication (9 hours)
English 1100, Composition
English 3100 or 3120, Advanced Expository Writing
Communication: 3 hours
Mathematics (3 hours)
Math 1150, Structure of Mathematical Systems I
Biological Science: includes lab (5 hours)
General Biology 1012/1013
Physical Science: includes lab (4 hours)
Humanities (8 hours)
Three courses from two of the following fields: art, music, philosophy, and literature.
Social Science (15 hours)
Psych 1003, General Psychology
PolSci 1100, Introduction to American Politics, or equivalent
and one of the following history courses
His 1001, American Civilization
His 1002, American Civilization
and the following courses:
Pol Sci 1850, Global Ecology
Soc 1010, Introduction to Sociology, or any anthropology course.

Degree Requirements
Students are required to take the general education requirements as indicated for early childhood education above.

Level I: Exploring Education as a Profession
Tch Ed 2210, Introduction to Teaching
Tch Ed 2211, Introduction to American Schools
Tch Ed 2212, Introduction to Learners and Learning

Level II: Analyzing the Nature and Process of Education
Tch Ed 3310, Introduction to Instructional Methods
Tch Ed 3312, Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Tch Ed 3313, Introduction to Learners with Disability and Inclusive Education
Tch Ed 3315, Literacy Learning and Instruction
Phy Ed 3430, Elements of Health Education
Phy Ed 3282, Physical Growth and Motor Development

Level III: Synthesizing Theory and Practice in Education
Ele Ed 3330, Children's Literature and Reading
Ele Ed 3336, Teaching Language Arts and Reading, N-9
plus these Early Childhood Education (Ech Ed) courses:

Note: Ech Ed 3290 and Ech Ed 3291 must be taken during the same semester.

3312, Introduction to Early Childhood Education
4317, Assessing Individual Needs for Early Childhood
3332, Early Literacy
4346, The Acquisition of Mathematical Concepts
3313, Curriculum and Practice: Infant/Toddler
3314, Curriculum and Practice: Preschool
4289, Early Childhood Primary Internship
3303, Curriculum and Practice Laboratory: Infant/Toddler
3304, Curriculum and Practice Laboratory: Preschool
3290, Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education I (6 hrs)
3291, Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education II (6 hrs)

Attention education majors: Professional education courses must be completed with a grade point average of 2.50 and no grade lower than a C- (2.0).

Total: A minimum of 120 hours

Graduate Studies

Master of Education: Elementary Education, Concentration in Early Childhood Education
This program is designed to develop a master teacher through a common core of essential knowledge and experiences drawn from current research and practice in early childhood education.

Core Competencies (12 hours):
Ele Ed 6410, Current Research in Early Childhood and Elementary Programs.
Ele Ed 6411, Curricular Issues in the Elementary School
Students may select two of the following courses:
Ed Psy 6310, Psychology of Learning Processes
Ed Psy 6215, Psychology of Early Childhood Development
Ech Ed 6490, Internship
Ech Ed 6497, Problems

Content Competencies (minimum of 12 hours of course work from the following areas):
Early Childhood Certification Courses
Early Childhood Electives
Other courses approved by adviser

Curricular Application Competencies ( 9 hours):
A measurement course is required before admission to the exit course Ele Ed 6423 and one of the following is suggested:

Ed Rem 6707, Classroom Measurement and Evaluation
Ed Rem 6709, Educational and Psychological or Measurement
Ed Rem 6710, Educational Research Methods (an option if a prerequisite measurement course was completed at the undergraduate level)
Ele Ed 6422, Curriculum Construction in Elementary School
Ele Ed 6423, Curriculum Implementation in Elementary School

Career Outlook
The field of early childhood education has experienced a marked increase in the demand for highly qualified and professional prepared educators. As research continues to focus on the crucial early years of development, the need for trained professionals in early care and education will continue to rise. Early childhood graduates at all degree levels are attractive candidates for employment in a variety of educational positions. The downward extension of ages of schooling opens employment opportunities in the public and private sector. Future expansions of opportunities in schools are tied to population growth, increased specialization of services, and reduction in ratios between professional staff and children served. Additional career opportunities exist for early childhood educators in specialized childcare, private family care, instruction and training, corporations, self-owned businesses, and family- focused public and private agencies. Qualified early childhood educators can and do make a powerful difference in the lives of families and children.