Early Childhood Education Certification Only (Preschool - Grade 3)

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Program: Early Childhood Education Certification Only
School of Education
College of Professional Studies

Neff Hall 250 ~ 260-481-4146

The early childhood education certification only program is designed for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and desire to teach in preschool or elementary primary (P-3) school settings. Upon successful completion, candidates may apply for an Indiana teaching license. Candidates must demonstrate competencies in four content areas of Reading/English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science/Health/PE, and Social Studies/Fine Arts by passing content exams in each area prior to student teaching.

Note: C- OR BETTER IS REQUIRED FOR ALL COURSES USED TOWARD THIS PROGRAM

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion this program in Early ChildhoodCertification Only 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 accredited 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. Because of these statuses, students who meet specified requirements are eligible for the early childhood education teaching license in the state of Indiana. Indiana holds reciprocal licensing agreements with other states.

Program Delivery

This program is available on campus

Declaring This Program

You must declare this program with the School of Education

General Requirements

Program Requirements

Pre-Professional Education: 15 Credits

EDU 20000 - Examining Self As A Teacher Cr. 3. *
EDU 20001 - Introduction To Scientific Inquiry Cr. 1-3. *
EDU 20002 - Using Computers For Education Cr. 1-3. *
*These 3 courses above may be waived with appropriate documentation of 3 years full-time teaching experience in P-3 classrooms.
EDU 32700 - Social Studies Methods And The Family: Focus On Young Children Cr. 3.
EDU 34900 - Teaching And Learning For All Young Children I: Focus on Birth To Age 3 Cr. 3.
EDU 30100 - Laboratory/Field Experience Cr. 0-3.

Professional Education: 36 credits

Requirements for Admission to Block 1

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college

2. Take the Pearson content exams for Early Childhood Education

3. Completion of each course with grade of C- or higher. Courses may be repeated one time to earn minimum grade

4. Successfully complete all Pre-professional Education courses and program Signature Assessments

5. Minimum 3.0 cum. GPA in pre-professional education courses

6. Pass a Criminal History Check and all other checks/screens as required for each agency.

Block 1: 15 Credits

Block 2: 12 Credits

Student Teaching: 9 Credits

Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching

Complete an application for student teaching one year before intended student teaching semester.
Schedule an appointment and meet with the Director of Student Teaching one year before student teaching semester
Pass all required Pearson CORE exams for early childhood education generalist.
Maintain 3.0 cum. GPA with no grade below a C- in any required course.

EDU 42600 - Student Teaching: Early Childhood Cr. 1-16.
EDU 45000 - Child Development Seminar Cr. 3.
EDU 47000 - Practicum Cr. 3-8.
EDU 40100 - Laboratory/Field Experience Cr. 0-3.

Total Credits: 51

Final Assessment:

Pass Pearson pedagogy exam
Successfully complete all program Signature Assessments
Provide evidence of CPR certification and suicide prevention training.
3.0 cum. GPA
Apply for license.