Early Childhood Education Major All Academic Programs

The primary objective of the major in Early Childhood Education is to prepare well-qualified teachers who will be effective in guiding the learning experiences of children in Head Start programs, Child care centers, pre-school programs, kindergartens, and grades one through three. The focal point of the program is the recognition of the child's individuality and the development of his/her self-worth and security. Within the scope of the program, prospective teachers have opportunities to acquire those skills and understandings that will enable them to stimulate the sensory, cognitive, and social/emotional abilities/development of the child through exploration, experimentation, discovery, and successful experiences.

A.    General Education Requirements (40 credits)

B.    Professional Education Requirements

SPED 201	Introduction to Needs of Exceptional Individuals*
ECED 201	Learning Lab in an Educational Setting*
EDUC 202	Educational Psychology*
EDUC 203	Fundamentals of Teaching with Technology*
MATH 104	Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II
EDUC 273	Enhancing Test Performance#
EDUC 300	Foundations of Reading Instruction (Reading Acquisition)*
GEOG 101	Elements of Geography
OR
GEOG 102	World Regional Geography
ECED 301	Child Growth and Physiological Development*
ECED 329	Principles and Practicum in Early Childhood*
ECED 334	Creative Expression*
PSYC 304	Child Psychology
CUIN 336	Collaborating with Families and Communities*
MATH 207	Technology Based Mathematics for Teachers
ECED 330	Methods of Teaching Language Arts in Early Childhood**
ECED 331	Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Early Childhood**
ECED 333	Methods of Teaching Reading in Early Childhood**
ECED 337	Methods of Teaching Science in Early Childhood**
ECED 338	Methods of Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood
REED 401	Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Disabilities (Reading Assessment)*
REED 405	Strategies and Materials for Teaching Reading*
EDUC 402	History of Education
EDUC 408	Measurement & Evaluation*
ECED 411/412	Directed Teaching/Seminar
#Recommended courses; credits do not count towards graduation *Courses have a practicum experience requirement **Must have met Praxis I requirement and Department approval in order to enroll in courses

C.    Field Based "Block" Methods Courses

Students may take 12 early childhood methods credits in Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies at a PDS site at the discretion of the Chairperson. Students must take ECED 329: Principles and Practicum in Early Childhood* and Praxis I as a prerequisite to the "Block". Students must register for all courses (12 credits) in the "Block".

D.    Minor in Early Childhood Education

The minor in Early Childhood Education provides experiences to prepare students to enable the Pre-K through Grade 3 child to develop effectively through successful cognitive and experience-based activities. Practical application of theories and principles of learning are provided through field experiences. Students electing to minor in Early Childhood Education must complete 21 hours in the program with a grade of "C" or higher.

Group A: Required Courses (18 credits)

ECED 329	Principles and Practicum in Early Childhood*
ECED 330	Methods of Teaching Language Arts in Early Childhood**
ECED 331	Methods of Teaching Social Studies in Early Childhood**
ECED 333	Methods of Teaching Reading in Early Childhood**
ECED 337	Methods of Teaching Science in Early Childhood**
ECED 338	Methods of Teaching Mathematics in Early Childhood**

Group B: Major Electives (3 Credits)

EDUC 402	History of Education
ECED 334	Creative Expression*
* Course has a practicum experience requirement **Must have met Praxis I requirement in order to enroll in courses; by approval of the Chairperson

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 Major: Early Childhood Education

Level I (First Year) Fall Semester *ENGL 101 English Composition 3 *MATH 103 Math Elem Tchrs l 3 *»ECED 412 Seminar 0 ? General Elective 3 Semester Total 15 TOTAL CREDITS 123