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.

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

Education majors may substitute ED 150 or ED 151 to satisfy their Social Science Core course.

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 electronic portfolio___

FORMAL ACCEPTANCE needed for 300-Level ED courses:

Cumulative GPA at 54 credits, >= 3.00___

Passing scores on Basic Skills Assessment___

Submit electronic 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 )

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar
EN 100 - PLE Writing and Language or
EN 150 - PLE Advanced Writing and Language
ED 105 - Foundations of Teaching and Learning
ED 150 - Early Childhood Development
ED 161 - Integrated Technology I
MA 205 - Mathematics for the Elementary Teacher
One Non-Cultural Heritage Core course (4 credits)
One Power of Language: Other Core course (4 credits)

Notes:

Students who enter the program in their first year must be scheduled for ED 105 in the fall and ED 150 in the spring of that first year. Completing both before the sophomore year is critical. Students that transfer into the department will work with their academic advisor to ensure these courses are completed on an alternative schedule.

Education majors may substitute ED 224 for their Western-Cultural Heritage Core and ED 150/151 for the Social Sciences core requirement.

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