Early Childhood (B.S.Ed.) - Birth to Age 5 (Non-Licensure)

Program: B.S.Ed.
School of Education  
College of Professional Studies

Neff Hall 250 ~ 260-481-4146

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If you are interested in nurturing and teaching preschool children (birth to age five), consider a career in early childhood education. Preschool teachers educate and care for all children-with and without diverse learning or developmental needs. They explore basic subjects in a way that young children can understand and promote the optimal development of social skills, emotional understanding, and self-regulation.

PREPARATION
As a bachelor-completion program, preparation for this career at Purdue University Fort Wayne begins with the acquisition of an Associate of Science in early childhood education.  Most students acquire the A.S. at Ivy Tech Community College.

The early childhood education bachelor-completion program has two options: birth through age five (preschool only) and preschool through grade three (preschool-primary). The latter option affords students the opportunity to earn a teaching license through the Indiana Department of Education. If you are interested in the preschool through grade three program, please see the Early Childhood (B.S.Ed.) - Preschool to Grade 3 (Licensure)  program.  The curriculum for both options includes classroom instruction and work experiences in local early childhood settings, and addresses the developmental and learning capabilities and needs of children from birth through age eight. Coursework will include:
• Child growth and development
• Family and community relationships
• Designing developmentally appropriate environments
  for children
You will spend time in classrooms under the supervision of highly qualified teachers and supervisors, interacting with children in each of the three age groups in at least two settings (e.g., childcare, Head Start). Your studies will also provide a solid background in the liberal arts.

To earn the B.S.Ed. in early childhood education, you must satisfy the requirements of Purdue Fort Wayne (Regulations ) and the College of Professional Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a major in Early Childhood students will:

• Become more caring, humane and functional citizens in a global, multicultural, democratic society 
• Improve the human condition by creating positive learning environments
• Become change agents by demonstrating reflective professional practice
• Solve client problems through clear, creative analyses
• Assess client performance, creating and executing effective teaching, counseling, and educational leadership by utilizing a variety of methodologies reflecting current related research
• Utilize interdisciplinary scholarship, demonstrating technology and critical literacies, and effectively communicating with all stakeholders.

Accreditation

Our education programs are currently NCATE accredited and we have applied for continued accreditation through CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).  We are nationally recognized as a high-quality program through the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Program Delivery

This program is available on campus

Declaring This Major

You must declare this major with the School of Education