Early Childhood Education Certification Only (Preschool - Grade 3)

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Program: Early Childhood Education Certification Only
School of Education

Neff Hall 240 ~ 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/Language Arts and Social Studies as well as Mathematics and Science 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 and online

Declaring This Program

You must declare this program with the School of Education

General Requirements

College Requirements
Academic Requirements

Program Requirements

Early Childhood Education - Certification Only - Preschool To Grade 3 (Licensure) 2-Year Plan

Pre-Professional Education: 15 Credits

Criminal History Background reports must be ordered by the students each year they are taking EDU courses that require field placements in school settings.

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 - Early Childhood Social Studies Methods And Family Studies Cr. 3.
EDU 34900 - Teaching And Learning for All Young Children I: Focus On Birth To Age Three Cr. 3.
EDU 30100 - Laboratory/Field Experience Cr. 0-3.

Professional Education: 36 credits

Requirements for Admission to Professional Education

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college
Take the licensure content exams for Early Childhood Education
Completion of each course with a grade of C- or higher. Courses may be repeated one time to earn minimum grade
Successfully complete all Pre-Professional Education courses and program signature assessments
Minimum 3.0 overall GPA in pre-professional education courses
Pass a Criminal History Check and all other checks/screens as required for each agency.

EDU 22200 - Early Childhood Multilingual Learners Cr. 3.
EDU 30100 - Laboratory/Field Experience Cr. 0-3.
EDU 30500 - Teaching The Exceptional Learner In The Elementary School Cr. 3.
EDU 33300 - Inquiry In Mathematics And Science Cr. 3.
EDU 34001 - Education And American Culture Cr. 3.
EDU 35200 - Emergent Curriculum Methods Cr. 3.
EDU 35500 - Early Childhood Mental Health Cr. 3.
EDU 37000 - Language Arts & Reading I Cr. 3.
EDU 40100 - Laboratory/Field Experience Cr. 0-3.
EDU 41000 - Trends And Issues In Special Education Cr. 3.
EDU 42600 - Student Teaching: Early Childhood Cr. 1-16. (6 cr.)
(P: For admission to Student Teaching)
1. Complete an application for student teaching one year before intended student teaching semester
2. Schedule an appointment and meet with the Director of Student Teaching one year before student teaching semester
3. Pass all required licensure content exams for early childhood education generalist
4. Maintain 3.00 overall GPA with no grade lower than a C- in any required course.
EDU 45000 - Child Development Seminar Cr. 3.
EDU 47000 - Practicum Cr. 3-8. (3 cr.) or EDU 47200 - Preschool Practicum (Cr. 3.)

Total Credits: 51

Final Assessment:

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

Student Responsibility

You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.