Education (Early Childhood PreK-3)

Our early childhood PreK-3 licensure provides you with the knowledge and training to pursue a career in early childhood education. The curriculum places a heavy focus on the study of children from birth-to-kindergarten age and pre-kindergarten (pre-k) to third grade. The B.S. Major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Early Childhood program is a professional preparation program that gives you an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of the physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and creative development of children in addition to the content knowledge and pedagogical skills required of teachers in today's classrooms. 

Students planning to seek Early Childhood PreK-3 licensure must complete the Professional Core as outlined by the Department of Education. This comprises a full semester of integrated professional practicum experience and one full semester of student teaching in public school settings. Students who acquire licensure in early childhood will be certified to teach PreK-3 grades.

 

 

 

Degree Requirements

 

B.S. Major in Interdisciplinary Studies
Concentration:  (Early Childhood - PreK-3) 

126 HOURS

Program Coordinator: Dr. Sharen Cypress

For a complete listing of requirements for graduation, see Academics: Degree/Graduation Requirements.

 
I. Liberal Arts Core Requirements    34 hours

Listed in the catalog under Academics: Liberal Arts Core

Limit III. A. Behavioral Sciences to SOC241 General Sociology
Limit III. B. BIO: 100, 105, 110, 111, 112, or 211 (must include related lab)
Limit III. C. 1. History to HIS221 American History I or HIS222 American History II
Limit III. C. 2. Critical and Creative Works to Literature (ENG: 215, 225, or 235)
Limit III. C. 3. Humanities Capstone to HUM495 Values in Human Thought and Action

II. Additional Liberal Arts Core Requirements for the Major:

6-7 hours
A.  Choose one (1) of the following Fine Arts Courses:  3 hours 

ART110 

 Art Appreciation  (3)

ART201

 Introduction to Photography  (3)

ART234 

 Introduction to Creativity (W)  (3)

MUS110 

 Music Appreciation  (3)

MUS214 

 Development of American Music  (3)

THE160 

 Introduction to Theatre  (3)

THE265 

 Acting I  (3)

THE299A

 New York Theatre Survey  (3)

 

   
B.  Choose one (1) of the following options:
(must include related lab) 
 
 3-4 hours

PHS111 

 Physical Science I   OR  (3)

PHS112 

 Physical Science II  (3)

OR

   

CHE121 

General Chemistry I   WITH  (3)

CHE121L

General Chemistry I Lab   (1)

 

 

III. Major Professional Core for Elementary Education (PreK-3):

46 hours

EDU130

Introduction to Education (W)

EDU250

Professional Reflective Seminar I 

2

SPE240 

Special Education Foundations (W) 

 

Must be admitted to Teacher Education to take the following:

EDU310

Literacy I: Emergent Literacy Methods Across Content Areas
3

EDU311

Literacy II: Literature and Literacy (W)

3

EDU320

Technology in the Classroom

3

EDU327

Tests and Measurement

3

EDU330 

Teaching Mathematics: Methods, Strategies, and Techniques 

3

EDU350* 

Professional Reflective Seminar II 

1

EDU415* 

Literacy IV: Teaching Methods Across Content Areas

EDU428*

Classroom Management

2

RDG312 

Literacy III: Teaching Literacy 

*These courses must be taken the semester prior to student teaching.

 

Must be admitted to Student Teaching to take the following:

 

EDU444

Student Teaching, PreK-3

12

EDU450

Professional Reflection & Planning

1

     

IV. Additional Required Courses:

39-42 hours 

FAM201

Child Development and Lab 

FAM230 

Marriage and the Family 

FAM305 

Childhood Disorders 

FAM310

Developmental Psychology 

FAM331 

Parenting and Family Relations (W)

FAM335 

Human Sexuality 

HEA216

Personal Health

3

MAT206

Real Number System

3

POL231 

American Government 

SOC445 

Ethnic Cultures 

SPA131 

Elementary Spanish I 

SPA132

Elementary Spanish II

 

Math or Natural Science Elective (upper-division)  

Plus one (1) of the following:
 

0-3 hours 

HEA217 

First Aid and CPR    OR   (3)

 

First Aid/Red Cross Certification   (0)

 

   

 V. Electives (including additional Bible):

1-7 hours