Early Childhood Education Major, B.A./B.S.

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Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education >> Teacher Education department

The student who desires to become a licensed early childhood educator will complete the following minimum course of study that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and the Indiana instructional license in the area of early childhood (P-3). A Bachelor of Arts degree may be earned when the appropriate amount of credit in a foreign language is earned.

Teaching Major Grade & GPA Requirement

Students completing a teaching major must earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, a 2.75 major GPA, and a grade of C or better in all courses applied toward degree requirements.

Early Childhood Education University Core 39 Requirements BS: 41 credit hours/BA: 44 credit hours

Within USI’s Core 39, early childhood education majors are required to complete specific courses as indicated in the chart below to meet content requirements for licensure in early childhood education.

Foundations (14 hours)
Composition I	ENG 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self	3 hrs

Composition II	ENG 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World	3 hrs

Communication	Choose one of:	3 hrs
	CMST 101 - Introduction to Public Speaking or
	CMST 107 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Mathematics	Any Core 39 approved Foundations Mathematics course	3 hrs

Physical Activity and Wellness	KIN 192 - Concepts in Wellness and Fitness	1 hr

First Year Experience	USI 101 - Soar to Success	1 hr
Civic and Cultural Awareness (13 hours) - 4 Categories of Ways of Knowing
Historical Inquiry	Choose one of:	3 hrs
	HIST 101 - The United States to 1877 or
	HIST 102 - The United States since 1877

Scientific & Mathematical Inquiry	MATH 203 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II	4 hrs
	(Note: MATH 103 is a prerequisite)

Social Inquiry	EDUC 221 - Diversity and Equity in Education	3 hrs

Creative & Aesthetic Expression or World Languages & Culture	Choose one course from either category (must be a unique prefix)	3 hrs
Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Science: 14 hours; Bachelor of Arts: 17 hours)
World Language & Culture	GEOG 330 - World Geography	3 hrs

Natural Science with Lab	BIOL 108 - Biology for Educators AND	4 hrs
	GEOL 108 - Earth-Space Science for Educators
Natural Science with Lab	CHEM 108 - Chemistry for Educators AND	4 hrs
	PHYS 108 - Physics for Educators

Social Science	Social Science Elective	3 hrs

Students may pursue a BA degree by completing modern language courses (ARAB/CHIN/FREN/GERM/JPN/LATN/SPAN) 101, 102, 203, and 204. For the BA degree, the social science elective may be omitted. However, GEOG 330 and the 8 hours of science are still required.
Embedded Experiences (may be core, major and/or elective courses)
Diversity	EDUC 221 - Diversity and Equity in Education
Global	GEOG 330 - World Geography
Writing	EDUC 221 - Diversity and Equity in Education AND
	EDUC 458 - Seminar in Professional Education

Additional Content Courses (6 hours)

MATH 103 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I Credits: 3
Choose one of:
HIST 111 - World Civilizations I, Beginnings to 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 112 - World Civilizations II, 1500-Present Credits: 3

Early Childhood Education Requirements (60 hours)

In addition to Core 39 and content requirements, candidates are required to complete the following professional education courses:

EDUC 203 - Introduction to Children’s Literature Credits: 3
EDUC 241 - Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 242 - Explorations in Early Childhood Education: Growth and Development Credits: 3
EDUC 246 - Foundations of Literacy Credits: 3
EDUC 255 - Growth and Development: Infants and Toddlers Credits: 3
EDUC 256 - Guidance of Young Children Credits: 3
EDUC 261 - Special Needs: Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 344 - Family, School, Community Partnerships Credits: 3
EDUC 351 - Music, Movement, Play, and Expressive Arts Credits: 3
EDUC 355 - Practicum in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
EDUC 356 - Teaching Methods in Integrated Content Areas (Preschool-Primary) Credits: 3
EDUC 378 - Introduction to Phonemic Awareness Credits: 3
EDUC 386 - Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction Credits: 3
EDUC 398 - Reading Methods Credits: 3
EDUC 493 - Language, Comprehension, and Writing Credits: 3
EDUC 431 - Supervised Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3-9
EDUC 437 - Classroom Management through Data-based Decision Making Credits: 3
EDUC 458 - Seminar in Professional Education Credits: 3

Content Area Minor

The early childhood education major requires completion of a content area teaching minors. Any content area teaching minor approved by an advisor may fulfill this requirement. However, only the Reading - Teaching Minor and Social Science Teaching Minor for Elementary Education or Junior High/Middle School can be completed within 120 credit hours. Other available options that may exceed 120 credit hours include:

Mathematics Teaching Minor, Elementary School (122 hours)
Science Teaching Minor for Elementary Education (121 hours)

Check with your advisor for other possibilities.

Early Childhood Education Major, B.A./B.S.

Teaching Major Grade & GPA Requirement

Early Childhood Education University Core 39 Requirements BS: 41 credit hours/BA: 44 credit hours

Foundations (14 hours)

Civic and Cultural Awareness (13 hours) - 4 Categories of Ways of Knowing

Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Science: 14 hours; Bachelor of Arts: 17 hours)

Embedded Experiences (may be core, major and/or elective courses)

Additional Content Courses (6 hours)

Early Childhood Education Requirements (60 hours)

Content Area Minor