Early Childhood Education (B.S.)

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Student Learning Outcomes for Early Childhood Education:

Students will be able to:

Plan, design, and implement research-based instructional and assessment practices appropriate for children between preschool and fourth grade.
Develop and apply instructional methodologies, including the use of technology, appropriate for children between preschool and fourth grade.
Critically apply content knowledge and skills to facilitate student learning appropriate for children between 0 and 9 years.
Create, organize, and maintain an effective and safe classroom environment conducive to learning and development.
Design and implement successful interventions responsive to the needs of learners in pre-kindergarten through grade four.
Exhibit the qualities that characterize a professional individual, including professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities of a certified teacher.
Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to continued professional development and service.

Candidates for certification in Early Childhood Education must complete a major that consists of two key elements. The first element emphasizes critical concepts and ideas important to one’s general education and academic preparation for teaching. The second emphasis stresses a professional core organized in five areas: 1) Early Childhood Development, Cognition and Learning, 2) Subject Matter Pedagogy Content (Pre-kindergarten through Fourth), 3) Assessment, 4) Family and Community Partnerships, and 5) Professionalism. Content requirements are based on national standards for early childhood education as well as Pennsylvania’s curriculum standards. Candidates will have 190 hours of field experiences prior to beginning student teaching.

PLEASE NOTE: A complete list of the foundational requirements (including a list of approved English Literature courses) can be found in the EDUCATION MANUAL.

FOUNDATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Annually updated state required TB test, and criminal, child abuse and FBI record clearances

FY___ SO___ JR___ SR___

Grade C or better in ED 105___ Grade C or better in ED 150___

PROVISIONAL ACCEPTANCE needed for 200-level ED courses:

Cumulative GPA at 27 credits, >= 2.80___

Submit Digication e-portfolio___

FORMAL ACCEPTANCE needed for 300-Level ED courses:

Cumulative GPA at 54 credits, >= 3.00___

Passing scores on Basic Skills Assessment___

Submit Digication e-portfolio___

Two Math: MA___ and MA___

Two English: EN 100 or EN 150 ___ and EN Literature___

Early Childhood:

Additional Required Courses for Education Certification

Math Core course
MA 205 - Mathematics for the Elementary Teacher or other eligible Math course
Two English courses for Education certification, one literature and one writing (EN 100 or EN 150 )

Suggested first year coures:

Fall semester:

ED 105 - Foundations of Teaching and Learning
ED 161 - Integrated Technology I (Fall or Spring)
Power of Language - Other core
EN 100 - PLE Writing and Language or
EN 150 - PLE Advanced Writing and Language

Spring semester:

ED 151 - Early Adolescent/Adolescent Development
Math core
Natural and Physical Sciences core
EN 101 - CE Literature: Form and Performance or
EN 180 - CE Introduction to Creative Writing or
Non-Western Cultural Heritage core

Notes:

Students must be scheduled for ED 105 in the fall and ED 151 in the spring, before the end of their first year. Completing both before the sophomore year is critical.

All Education majors must complete two English courses (one writing and one literature) and two Math courses (MA prefix) by the end of their sophomore year.