Program Overview

Introduction to the Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program, within the College of Education and Human Development at Bowling Green State University, is a competitive program that prepares teachers to construct developmentally appropriate education for children ages 3-11 in collaboration with their families. This program is available at the BGSU Firelands campus and leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with two teaching licenses.

Program Overview

• The program prepares students for two teaching licenses at the BGSU Firelands campus.
• It is designed for students who wish to teach in inclusive early childhood learning environments.
• Graduates work in a variety of educational settings for young children, including community agencies, daycare centers, preschools, kindergartens, and the elementary grades 1-5.

Multiple Credentials

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education program leads to two credentials in four years:

• Early Childhood Education licensure for PreK through 5th grade.
• Early Childhood Intervention Specialist license for PreK through 5th grade. Graduates of the program will be able to teach young children with and without disabilities in inclusive settings.

Sound Philosophy

The IEC program blends the best practices from early childhood education with early childhood special education. It addresses the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to meet the needs of each child. Graduates are prepared to provide differentiated, evidence-based instruction to young children through grade 5. The program is committed to the development of partnerships and scholarly endeavors that reflect the University's professional values of justice, fairness, and equity.

Program Details

• Setting: Full-time, in person.
• Prerequisite classes required: Yes.
• Adjectives for a successful student: responsible, caring, accepting. The program involves professionals from diverse disciplines working together to address the complex learning needs found in all classrooms. It supports parents, community members, teachers, and paraprofessionals as partners in the educational process, and each child is a respected member of the learning community.

Message from the Director

The program offers amazing education programs for people who want to teach PreK-grade 5 elementary or special education. The classes are in person, there is plenty of field experience, and students are hired to teach in the area after graduation.

Accreditation and Licensure

For more information on accreditation and professional licensure, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.