Early Childhood Education Program

The Early Childhood Education Program prepares candidates to teach children from birth through grade three. Completion of the program prepares candidates to pursue an Illinois Type 04 certificate.

The Program Consists of:

  • Professional Education Courses
  • General Education Courses
  • Area of Concentration Courses

Professional Education Courses

EDU 205 Child Growth and Development
  or
PSYCH 200 Child Development
and
CSDI 305 Development of Language in the Young Child
EDU 300 Profession of Teaching
EDU 323 Survey of Students with Exceptionalities for the Regular Classroom Teacher
EDU 326 History and Philosophy of Early Childhood Education
EDU 327 Child, Family and Community Relationships
EDU 328 Developmental Assessment of Young Children
EDU 329 Methods and Curriculum of Pre-Primary Education
EDUL 329 Lab; Methods and Curriculum of Pre-Primary Education
EDU 330 Methods and Curriculum of Primary Education
EDUL 330 Lab; Methods and Curriculum of Primary Education
EDU 331 Methods of Reading with an Emphasis on the Young Child
EDU 345 Seminar in Teaching and Learning
EDU 348 Directed Teaching-Early Childhood Education

General Education Courses

  • Communication Skills (12 s.h. required)
  • Mathematics (6 s.h. required)
  • Natural Science (9 s.h. required - at least one course in life science, one course in physical science, and one course must include a laboratory component)
  • One additional elective in either Mathematics or Science (3 s.h. required)
  • History/Social Science (15 s.h. required)
    Courses must include U.S. History and U.S. Government
  • Literature and Fine Arts (6 s.h. required)
  • Health and Physical Development (2 s.h. required)
  • One 3 s.h course with a multi-cultural focus
  • 18 semester hours of study in an area of concentration, 9 of which must be taken at the 200 level or beyond at a 4-year institution

Requirements for Degree

  • Candidates majoring in the Early Childhood Program in education and must:
    • maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 and earn grades of "C" or higher in all coursework
    • a minimum of 35 semester hours in education;
    • a minimum of 18 hours in an approved area of concentration at least 9 of which must be earned at the 200 level or higher at a 4 year institution
  • University Core Requirements, and;
  • Candidates must also pass Illinois Certification Testing System Basic Skills Tests, Subject-Matter Knowledge test, and Assessment of Professional Teaching

 

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