Early Childhood Education, B.S.

(126 credits)

The Department of Education offers a major in early childhood education for the student who wants to prepare for a career of working in school settings (including as a certified public school teacher) with children between birth and kindergarten or nursery and third grade. The student who selects this major will find that it offers a variety of career possibilities to work with typical and atypical developing children. The integration of services for children, including the needs of the family and collaboration with other professions, is a unique and key focus of the program. The program addresses the theories and the physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and creative development of young children. By design each student is advised in shaping a professional identity in the field of early childhood education as well as acquiring the necessary professional skills to pursue a career in early childhood.  

The primary objective of this program is to provide a comprehensive core of knowledge relative to working with all children in inclusive settings. This is an appropriate program for students desiring to work with young children in public and private schools as well as childcare centers and other community programs for children. The student seeking certification is prepared for endorsement in the area of birth to age 5/kindergarten (#112) or nursery/pre-school through grade 3 (#113). Each student participates in a nursery/kindergarten half-day student teaching, and then, depending on the areas of endorsement selected, participates in another full-day student teaching in an appropriate setting (birth to age 3 or grades 1, 2, 3).