Early Childhood: Special Education & Regular Education Major Requirements

License: Early Childhood Special and Regular Education (Birth-Age 8)

I. FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION

• ENG 110 College Writing
• MATH 101
• COMMS 101 Speech
• PHIL 101 Logic: Critical Thinking
• Computer Competency (determined by major)
• Foreign Language (a two semester sequence is required)

For a B.S., at least 6 credits in one language; for a B.A., 16 credits in one language, or 14 credits in one and 8 in a second. High school coursework may fulfill the requirement, but credit is not given unless the student wishes to earn retroactive credit; see the college catalogue for policies.

II. FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN LEARNING

• An F1 course in literature (Pre-req is ENG 110 College Writing)
• An F2 course in history and appreciation of one of the fine arts
• An F3 studio experience course in one of the fine arts
• An F4 course in social science: economics, political science, psychology, sociology: PS 262
• An F5 sequence of two courses in one of the natural sciences, including experimental lab: NATS 106/107
• An F6 course in history
• An F7 course in philosophy other than PHIL 101 (Pre-req is PHIL 101 Logic): ED 271
• An F8 course in religious studies

III. HUMAN ISSUES STUDY

• Human Issues Seminar (3-4 credits) or
• Independent study on a Human Issues topic of the student’s choosing (min. 3 credits)

IV. MAJOR DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

License: Early Childhood Special and Regular Education (Birth-Age 8)

1. Within the Foundations of Communications and Foundations of Human Learning curriculum that all students must complete, the following courses are required or recommended, as noted.
   • MATH 101 Intro. to Problem Solving is preferred
   • A course in art fundamentals, typically ART 106F3 Art Structure
   • A course in basic concepts of music theory and application, typically MUS 141F3 Music Structure
   • A course in national, state, and local government, typically PS 262F4 Introduction to the American Political Process
   • Coursework in biological and physical science: NATS 106F5/107F5 is recommended
   • Coursework in western and non-western studies: courses in history, world issues or politics, geography, global culture, arts and religion may be approved to fulfill one or both requirements
   • ED 271F7 Philosophy of Education is recommended
      
2. Professional Core Prerequisites
   • ED 200 Education in a Pluralistic Society: Connecting Past and Present
   • ED 201 Teachers as Inquirer I: Reflective Practitioner
   • ED 302 Instructional Resources and Media
   • ED 303 Teaching and Learning I: Curriculum Design and Assessment
   • ED 304 Teaching and Learning II: Learning Environments
   • ED 306 Exceptional Children and Youth- 3 cr
   • ED 307 English Language Learners (ELL) in the Mainstream Classroom
      
3. Requirements for the Major
   • ED 210 Infancy and Childhood
   • ED 324 The Helping Relationship
   • ED 337 Topics in Early Childhood Education
   • ED 340 Language Development and Disorders
   • ED 381 Pre-Reading and Literature for the Young Child
   • ED 382 Literature for Childhood Through Early Adolescence
   • ED 418 Developing and Facilitating Laughter and Play
   • ED 419 Introduction to Infants and Young Children Who Are Differently Abled
   • ED 420 Assessment of Infants and Young Children Who Are Differently Abled
   • ED 424 Methods of Teaching Nursery School and Kindergarten
   • ED 425 Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts
   • ED 434 Methods of Discovery, Quantity and Creativity in Nursery School and Kindergarten
   • ED 438 Curriculum and Programming for the Young Exceptional Child
   • ED 480 Student Teaching: Nursery
   • ED 481 Student Teaching: Kindergarten
   • ED 482 Student Teaching: Grades 1-3
   • ED 486 Student Teaching: EC: EEN
      
4. Licensing Transition Steps
   • PRAXIS I: Reading Passing Score: 175; Writing Passing Score: 174; Mathematics Passing Score: 173
   • PRAXIS II: Test Code: 0014; Passing Score: 147
   • Preliminary Entry
   • Aspiring Professional
   • Emergent Professional
   • Licensure Endorsement
   • Exit GPA

Also Required: A minimum of 120 credits & a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0. Some majors may require more credits and a higher GPA for completion of the degree.