Early Childhood Education, B.S.

Curriculum Requirements

The degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth Through Kindergarten Licensure) prepares students for teacher licensure and a teaching career with children from birth through five years in inclusive settings serving both typically and atypically developing young children and their families. In addition to the areas identified for Child Development and Family Relations, students successfully completing the program may seek employment in public school classrooms, private preschools and kindergartens, home-based early intervention programs, Head Start, developmental day programs, and a variety of child care centers and programs.

1. 120 Credit Hours:

Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 or better.  Students must repeat “D” and “F” grades in General Education and Major Courses requirement. Students must pass The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests before being admitted to Educator Preparation Program, and enrolling in upper division courses.  Students must have an updated CPR/First Aid Certification for infants and children, current TP test, and Criminal record Check issued by the Department of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE).  These are required for any practicum and field experience.

2. General Education Requirement:

Freshman and sophomore years: Complete General Education Curriculum  required by the university as detailed on the four-year course of study and be admitted into Education Preparation Program (EPP).  Students must have a “C” or better in all General Education Curriculum courses.

3. Program Requirements:

4. Concentration Requirements

5. Additional Requirements

Program Notes:

Four- Year Curriculum Plan

Four-Year Curriculum Plan in Early Childhood Education

Requirements for this major may change to satisfy certifying agencies

For key to symbols used, please see ‘key’ below.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

* ENG 1110  -  English Composition I ( 3 )  

*  MATH 1100  -  College Algebra and Trigonometry I ( 3 )  

*  MFL Level II (3)

* SCI GEC Requirement (3)

* UNIV 1100  -  First Year Seminar ( 2 )  

*  PEDU 1541  -  Fitness ( 2 )  

Semester Hours: 16

Spring Semester

*  ENG 1210  -  English Composition II ( 3 )  

*  SCI GEC Requirement (3)

*  MSCM 1250  -  Elements of Speech Communication ( 3 )   (SI)

%  EDU 2800  -  Computer Utilizations in Instructional Technology ( 3 )  

+  FCSC 1000  -  Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences ( 3 ) 

% EDU 2010  -  Praxis Core Preparation ( 2 )   

Semester Hours: 17

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

*  SOSC GEC Requirement (3)

*  HUM 2410  -  Arts & Humanities I ( 3 )   or

*  HUM 2420  -  Arts & Humanities II ( 3 )  

*  HEDU 1531  -  Health ( 2 )  

+  FCSC 2800  -  Health, Nutrition, and Safety in Early Childhood ( 3 )  

=  FCSC 2900  -  Prenatal, Infant, and Toddler Development ( 3 )  

%  EDU 2600  -  Orientation to Teaching ( 3 )  

Semester Hours: 17

Spring Semester

*  HIST 1320  -  World Societies ( 3 )  

*  HUM GEC Requirement (3)

%  EDU 3030  -  Diversity, Pedagogy and Social Change ( 3 )  

=  FCSC 2810  -  Introduction to the Education of the Young Child ( 3 )  

=  FCSC 2910  -  Typical and Atypical Preschool Development ( 3 )  

Semester Hours: 15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

=  FCSC 3600  -  Guiding Behavior in Young Children ( 3 )  

=  FCSC 3620  -  Program Development for Infants and Toddlers ( 3 )  

=  FCSC 3621  -  Practicum with Infants and Toddlers ( 1 )  

% EDU 3000  -  Introduction to Educational Psychology ( 3 )    

&  Elective (3)

Semester Hours: 13

Spring Semester

=  U  FCSC 3630  -  Program Development for Preschool and Kindergarten ( 3 )  

=  U  FCSC 3631  -  Practicum in Preschool and Kindergarten ( 1 )  

=  U  FCSC 3640  -  Assessment and Evaluation in Early Childhood ( 3 )  

=  U  FCSC 3650  -  Language and Literacy in Early Childhood ( 3 )  

&  Elective (3)

&  Elective (3)

Semester Hours: 16

Senior Year

Fall Semester

+      FCSC 4200  -  Family and Social Systems ( 3 )  

=  U  FCSC 4930  -  Reading and Research in Early Childhood ( 3 )  

=  U  FCSC 4940  -  Families, Professionals, and Communities: Teaming and Collaboration ( 3 )  

=  U  FCSC 4941  -  Practicum with Families ( 1 )  

+      FCSC 4900  -  Senior Seminar in Human Sciences ( 3 )  

Semester Hours: 14

Spring Semester

=  U  FCSC 4990  -  Directed Teaching in Birth Through Kindergarten ( 12 )  

Semester Hours: 12

Total Minimum Credit Hours: 120

**Requirements for this major may change to satisfy certifying agencies.

The degree is offered face to face and online.  There are select courses offered ONLY online.

(FCSC 3621   , FCSC 3631   , FCSC 3640   , FCSC 3650   , FCSC 4930   , FCSC 4940   , FCSC 4941   , FCSC 4990 )

Key to symbols used:

Distribution of Hours

* General Education Curriculum (GEC) - 39

+ Family & Consumer Sciences Required Courses - 12

= Early Childhood Education Required Courses - 46

% Non-departmental Required Courses - 14

& Electives - 9

U Upper division courses/Required Courses

< All students who are majoring in Early Childhood Education must have an updated CPR/First Aid Certification for infants and children, current TB test, and Criminal record Check issued by the Department of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE).  These are required for any practicum and field experience.

< Students must maintain a 2.7 GPA

< Students must pass The Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators Tests before being admitted to TEP, and enrolling in upper division courses. 

< Foliotek required ($30 per year)

< edTPA required ($300 near exit of program)

(SI) = Speaking Intensive;

(WI) = Writing Intensive