Early Childhood and Elementary Education (PK-4), Bachelor of Science
Early Childhood and Elementary Education (PK-4) Majors (78.5 credits-89 credits—Available independently or as dual certification with Special Education)
The curriculum requirements discussed in this section are subject to change, based on guidelines and the program approval process established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The program prepares prospective early childhood educators who have a desire to specialize in working with children from birth through age nine in a variety of programs, including preschool, PK, and elementary K-4 classrooms. The Early Childhood and Elementary Education program is a unique program that blends the historical and philosophical perspectives of early childhood education and research and practice in the field in order to give prospective teachers the knowledge and skills required to work in inclusive classroom settings.
This program also gives students the opportunity to pursue dual certification in special education.
The curriculum requirements are:
| EDUC 00_ | | 0 |
| | | |
| EDUC 004A | | 0.5 |
| | Or | |
| EDUC 004B | | 0.5 |
| | | |
| EDUC 005A | | 1 |
| EDUC 005B | | 1 |
| | | |
| PSYC 214 | Child Development | 3 |
| SPED 100 | Characteristics of Students With Mild?Disabilities | 3 |
| EDUC 108 | Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC 300 | Early Childhood Curriculum I | 3 |
| EDUC 301 | Early Childhood Curriculum II | 3 |
| EDUC 302 | Child in the Family | 3 |
| EDUC 309F | Elementary Curriculum and Instruction:?Math | 3 |
| EDUC 309G | Elementary Curriculum and Instruction:?Science | 3 |
| EDUC 309H | Elementary Curriculum and Instruction:?Social Studies | 3 |
| EDUC 309L | Children's Lit for P-4 Teachers | 1.5 |
| EDUC 309M | Elementary Curriculum &?Instruction:language and Literacy I | 4 |
| EDUC 309N | Elementary Curriculum &?Instruction:language and Literacy II | 3 |
| EDUC 311 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| SPED 300 | Curriculum Adaptations | 3 |
| SPED 350 | Assessment and Planning for Young?Children | 3 |
| SPED 367 | Behavior and Classroom Management | 3 |
| SPED 362 | Secondary Programming and Career?Education | 3 |
| EDUC 461 | Meth Assessment/ESL | 3 |
| SPED 352 | Diagnostic Evaluation/Prescriptive?Teaching-Phase II | 3 |
| EDUC 442 | | 9 |
| EDUC 498B | Special Topics in Student Teaching | 1 |
Additional Liberal Arts Credits
Students may elect to enroll in a dual certification program with special education PK-8 and would take the following additional courses:
Field experience begins in the first year and culminates with the student teaching experience. Students have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings including early intervention programs, home-based programs, preschool/day care programs, and elementary (K-4) classrooms in urban, rural, and suburban locations.
The Fricchione Day Care Center, on campus, serves children from infancy through Pre-Kindergarten and can be used for field experience by students in the ECE program.
Students may also elect to enroll in a dual certification program. These lead to teacher certification in special education (PK-8) and early childhood education (PK-4) or in special education (7-12) and secondary education (7-12).
In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, students must complete all required liberal arts and major courses, with a minimum QPA of 3.00 overall and in the major. Additionally, they must undertake student teaching experiences. Student teaching is evaluated as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. In order to graduate, students must earn a satisfactory grade in both placements.