Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.02.02

Early Childhood and Special Education

Chair and Associate Professor: Dr. Kathleen Atkins, 450-3172
Professors: Dr. Naylor, Dr. Cooper
Associate Professors: Dr. Benson, Dr. Mosley
Assistant Professors: Dr. Filer, Dr. Feng, Dr. Kohler-Evans, Dr. Sumpter, Dr. Wilmes
Clinical Instructor II: Ms. Barnes, Ms. Crow
Clinical Instructor I: Mr. Barrington, Ms. Cain, Ms. Herrington
Child Study Center Instructors: Ms. Dallas, Ms. Payne, Ms. Rowell, Ms.Williams

[1] Departmental Purposes

The primary purposes of the department are to (a) prepare novice teachers with entry-level skills that will allow them to develop into competent professionals, (b) prepare experienced professionals with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to assume leadership roles in schools and other agencies and organizations whose principal functions relate to P-12 schooling, (c) provide service to agencies and organizations that interface with P-12 schools and the preparation of teachers and other educators, and (d) advance the knowledge and practice of teaching and schooling through scholarly and creative activities.

All programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

[2] The Honors Program

To earn an honors degree, the following conditions must be met:

Consent of the chair of the department
3.00 grade point average on all work attempted
Successful completion of ECSE 4321

[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education

The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Early Childhood Education (P-4). The performance based undergraduate program in early childhood education is designed to prepare candidates for positions as teachers in grades P-4. Upon completion of the program, candidates are expected to (a) understand and apply knowledge related to the social, historical, and philosophical foundations of early childhood education; (b) know the way young children learn and develop; (c) understand language acquisition, cultural influences on learning, exceptionalities, diverse student populations, inclusion and equity in classrooms and schools; (d) integrate technology into instruction and learning; (e) use research and developmentally appropriate practices in their teaching; and (f) know the roles and responsibilities of the profession of teaching.

[3.1] Major in Early Childhood Education, P-4 (126 hours + EDUC 1220 if needed)

General education. Requires the completion of the general education component (see General Education Program in this bulletin). GEOG 1305, HIST 2301 OR 2302, MATH 1390, PHYS 1400, and PSCI 1330 should be selected because these courses fulfill both general education requirements and program requirements.

Professional education. 56 semester hours: ECSE 3300, 3301, 4307, 4309, 4311, 4315, 4316, 4319, 4320, 4330, 4331, 4603, 4604; EDUC 1220, 1300, 3309, 3320. EDUC 1220 and 1300 and ECSE 3300 must be completed prior to admission to the teacher education program.

Major requirements. ART 4360, ENGL 3310, HIST 3310, KPED 3320, MATH 3351 and 4310, MUS 3351, SCI 4410. In addition, MATH 1390 and PHYS 1400 must be taken if not completed as part of the general education requirements.

Related requirements. GEOG 1305, HIST 2301 or 2302, PSCI 1330.

Special Education Block. P-4 teacher education candidates can select to extend their preparation to include the area of special education. The optional program is an additional 12 hour semester including ECSE 4321, 4322, 4323, 4324.

Delivery of courses. With the exception of the general education courses, ECSE 3300, ECSE 3301, EDUC 1220, EDUC 1300, and EDUC 3309, all requirements must be completed after admission to the teacher education program. Several courses are scheduled to form blocks, and these courses must be taken simultaneously. Ideally Specialized Academic Studies and Creative Arts block must be taken prior to entry into Junior Block. Junior Block: EDUC 3320, ECSE 4309, 4311, 4330, and 4331 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences on Tuesday, 8:00-2:00. Internship I: ECSE 4307, 4315, 4316, 4318, 4319, and 4320 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences on Tuesdays from 8:00-4:00 and Thursdays from 8:00-12:00. Internship II: ECSE 4603, 4604, with daily field experiences, 8:00-4:00. Special Education Optional Block: ECSE 4321, 4322, 4323, and 4324 must be taken during the same semester with field experiences on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00-4:00.

[4] Courses in Education (EDUC)

Follow this link to descriptions for EDUC courses: course link.

[5] Courses in Early Childhood Education (ECSE)

Follow this link for ECSE course descriptions: course link.