Mar 17, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Early Childhood Education Certification Only (Preschool - Grade 3)

Program: Early Childhood Education Certification Only (Preschool – Grade 3)
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. This program is a post-bachelor, non-degree program. While no degree or certificate will be awarded, a program completer may apply for an Indiana teaching license for preschool generalist and elementary primary generalist grades Preschool-3^rd. 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). Because of this status, 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

Required Courses in B.S.Ed. degree

Exploring Education

EDU 20000 and EDU 10100

Educational Psychology

EDU 25100 and EDU 10100 or EDU 25300 and EDU 20100

Special Education

EDU 30500 or EDU 30600

Education Foundations

EDU 34001

Student Teaching (except ECED Birth to 5 and Education Studies)

EDU 40100

EDU 42500 or EDU 42600 or EDU 48000

Program Requirements

Pre-Professional Education: 6 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 10100 - Laboratory Or Field Experience Cr. 0. Field EDU 20000
EDU 20000 - Exploring Education Cr. 3.
EDU 20001 - Introduction To Scientific Inquiry Cr. 1-3.

Professional Education: 48 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 2.50 overall GPA in pre-professional education courses
Pass a Criminal History Check and all other checks/screens as required for each agency.

Student Teaching: Credits: 12 (Usually taken in Spring)

(P: 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 licensure content exams for early childhood education generalist
Maintain 2.70 overall GPA with no grade lower than a C- in any required course.

EDU 40100 - Laboratory Or Field Experience Cr. 0-3. Student Teaching Seminar
EDU 42600 - Student Teaching: Early Childhood Cr. 1-16.
EDU 45000 - Child Development Seminar Cr. 3.
EDU 47200 - Preschool Practicum Cr. 0-8.

Total Credits: 54

Final Assessment:

Pass licensure pedagogy and Science of Reading exams
Successfully complete all Key Assessments
Provide certifications of CPR/AED, Prevention of Human Trafficking, Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, and Suicide Prevention training.
2.7 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.