2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Dec 07, 2024  
2020-21 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Inclusive Early Childhood Education (Birth-2) [ECI]


This major in the Childhood/Early Childhood Education Department  prepares students to obtain dual certification in early childhood education and early childhood special education to teach students with and without disabilities in preschool settings through grade 2. Students learn to create high-quality inclusive environments that respect all children and their families, are developmentally appropriate and are child centered.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and apply knowledge of individual differences to provide meaningful, challenging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.        
  2. Conceptualize and create safe, inclusive, culturally responsible learning environments in order to support student learning.             
  3. Understand and use content knowledge to provide all learners access to and support progress within the general education curriculum.   
  4. Understand and use multiple methods of assessment and data sources in making educational decisions.
  5. Recognize, select and implement a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies to advance learning for all students.
  6. Understand and draw upon foundational knowledge of the social and cultural context of education and ethical principles to inform their practice and advance the profession.  
  7. Understand the principles of effective collaboration with a variety of stakeholders in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of learners across a range of educational experiences.               

Career potential

  • Early childhood education teacher of children ages birth to grade 2
  • Early childhood special education teacher of children ages birth to grade 2
  • Child-care provider
  • Child-care center director
  • Resource and referral counselor

A. College-wide and General Education Courses: 50 credit hours


Foreign Language 102 (3 cr. hr.)

General Education Program


GE 3: Social Sciences


GE 4: United States History and Society


Any GE 4 course.

GE 5: Western Civilization


Any GE 5 course (This category is optional)

GE 6: Contrasting Cultures


Any GE 6 course

GE 7: The Humanities


Any GE 7 course

GE 8: The Arts


Any GE 8 course

GE 9: Foreign Language


Students must

successfully complete the second semester (102) of a college-level foreign language sequence 
or

confirm proficiency equivalent to successful completion of the second semester (102) of a college-level foreign language sequence through a testing program approved by the Modern Languages Department, such as the CLEP or OPI.

GE 11: Prejudice and Discrimination


GE 12: Science, Technology, Values and Society


B. Professional Preparation and Pedagogy Courses


Inclusive Early Childhood Education Student Teaching Block: 13 credit hours


C. Approved Childhood and Early Childhood Concentrations


30-31 credit hours with a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level.

Approved concentration requirements are listed in the Childhood and Early Childhood program requirements. If a second major is selected as an alternative to the 30-credit hour concentration, the requirements will be listed in the academic department of the second major.

I. Environmental Studies Concentration


31 credit hours, with a minimum of 18 credit hours at the 300 level or above

B. Natural Science Courses - select six credit hours at the 300 level and above from the following:


Please note: some courses listed below may require additional prerequisites.

C. Social Science Courses - select six credit hours at the 300 level and above from the following:


D. Electives: 6 credit hours


Select six additional credit hours at the 300 level and above from those courses not taken to fulfill the Natural Sciences (B) or the Social Sciences (C) as listed above.

Total credit hours: 31


II. Humanities Concentration


30 credit hours, with a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300 level or above. 6 additional credits from Required Humanities Core and/or Humanities Electives at the 100 through 400 level.

A. Required Humanities Core: 12 credit hours


Select one course from each of the groups below:

Humanities - select three credit hours from the following:


Select three additional credit hours from GE Category 7 - Humanities


Select three additional credit hours from GE Category 8 - The Arts


B. Humanities Electives at the 300 and 400 level : 12 credit hours


  • Select 12 credit hours at the 300 or 400 level in any of the following disciplines with the subject prefix:
    ATH, ATS, ATT, ENG, MUS, PHI, PWR, THT.
  • Additionally, EDU 303 and COM 436 may be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • Select 6 additional credits from Required Humanities Core and/or Humanities Electives at the 100 through 400 level.

III. Social Sciences Concentration


30 credit hours, with a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300 level or above.

A. Required Social Sciences Core: 12 credit hours


Select three credit hours from GE Category 4 - U.S. History and Society


Select three credit hours from GE Category 5 - Western Civilization


Select three credit hours from GE Category 6 - Contrasting Cultures


B. Social Sciences Electives at the 300 and 400 level : 12 credit hours


  • Select 12 credit hours at the 300 or 400 level in any of the following disciplines with the subject prefix:
    ANT, ECO, GRY, HIS, POL, SOC or any of the following courses: FSA 305, FSA 333, FSA 347 or FSA 505 (also listed as SOC 505).
  • Select 6 additional credits from Social Sciences Core and/or Social Science Electives at the 100 through 400 level.

Total credit hours: 30


IV. English Language Arts and Writing Concentration


A. Writing Introductory Course - select three credit hours from the following:


B. Introductory English - select three credit hours from the following:


C. Professional Writing - select three credit hours from the following:


E. English and Professional Writing


  • Select 12 credit hours at the 300 and 400 level in any discipline with the ENG or PWR subject prefix. 

F. Additional Credits


Select 6 additional credits at the 100 through 400 level in any discipline with the ENG or PWR subject prefix.

Total credit hours: 30


V. Mathematics Concentration


Calculus: 6 credit hours


Upper-level Mathematics: 12 credit hours


Statistical Methods: 3 credit hours


Mathematics Electives at the 300 and 400 level


Select three credit hours from the following or any mathematics course at the 300 level or above.

Total credit hours: 30


Required Workshops


Complete the following workshops prior to student teaching:

  • Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting (CARR)
  • Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
  • Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE)

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 126


Example of the B.S. in Inclusive Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Social Sciences over four years


First Year Fall


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Total credit hours for semester: 18


Second Year Fall


  • (3 cr. hr.)
  • Any in concentration (3 cr. hr.)
    Any in concentration (3 cr. hr.)
    Any in concentration (3 cr. hr.)
    Any in concentration (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15


Total credit hours for semester: 16


Total credit hours for semester: 18


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Total credit hours for semester: 15


Total credit hours for semester: 13