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.

 

 

 

4 - Year Plans

To make your path to graduation a little easier, a 4-year plan for students planning to pursue a career in PreK-3 Education has been created:

Degree Requirements

 

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

126 HOURS

Program Coordinator:  Mrs. Shawna Northrop

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: 225, 226, 235, 236, 245, or 246)
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 
ART 110   Art Appreciation  (3)
ART 201  Introduction to Photography  (3)
ART 234   Introduction to Creativity (W)  (3)
MUS 110   Music Appreciation  (3)
MUS 214   Development of American Music  (3)
THE 160   Introduction to Theatre  (3)
THE 265   Acting I  (3)
THE 299A
  New York Theatre Survey  (3)
     
B.  Choose one (1) of the following options:
(must include related lab) 
 
  3-4 hours
PHS 111   Physical Science I   OR  (3)
PHS 112   Physical Science II  (3)
OR     
CHE 121  General Chemistry I   WITH  (3)
CHE 121L General Chemistry I Lab   (1)
   
III. Major Professional Core for Elementary Education (PreK-3):  45 hours

EDU 130

Introduction to Education (W)

3 

EDU 250

Professional Reflective Seminar I 

1
SPE 240  Special Education Foundations (W)  3 
 
Must be admitted to Teacher Education to take the following: 
EDU 310
 Literacy I: Emergent Literacy Methods Across Content Areas
 3

EDU 311

Literacy II: Literature and Literacy (W)

3

EDU 320

Technology in the Classroom

3

EDU 327

Tests and Measurement

3

EDU 330 

Teaching Mathematics: Methods, Strategies, and Techniques 

3

EDU 350* 

Professional Reflective Seminar II 

1
EDU 415*  Literacy IV: Teaching Methods Across Content Areas
 3 

EDU 428*

Classroom Management

2
RDG 312  Literacy III: Teaching Literacy  4 
*These courses must be taken the semester prior to student teaching.   
Must be admitted to Student Teaching to take the following:   

EDU 444

Student Teaching, PreK-3

12

EDU 450

Professional Reflection & Planning

1
     
IV. Additional Required Courses:  39-42 hours 
FAM/BIB 230  Marriage and the Family  3 
FAM 305  Childhood Disorders  3 
FAM 310 Developmental Psychology  3 
FAM 331  Parenting and Family Relations (W) 3 
FAM 335  Human Sexuality  3 

HEA 216

Personal Health

3

MAT 206

Real Number System

3
POL 231  American Government  3 
PSY 201  Child Development and Lab 3 
SOC 445  Ethnic Cultures  3 
SPA 131  Elementary Spanish I  3 
SPA 132 Elementary Spanish II 3 
  Math or Natural Science Elective (upper-division)    
Plus one (1) of the following:
 		 0-3 hours 
HEA 217  First Aid and CPR    OR   (3)
  First Aid/Red Cross Certification   (0)
     
 V. Electives (including additional Bible):
 		 2-8 hours