Program Overview

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3)

The Early Childhood Education program is designed to transform your passion for early childhood development into a professional career. This immersive certification plan features specialized practicum experiences with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, alongside advanced training in inclusive literacy and mathematics.

Finish Line Apprenticeship Pathway - Early Childhood Education

The program consists of the following courses:

• Summer 0
  • ED PSY 2212 Child and Adolescent Development (3 hours)
  • TCH ED 2001 Early Clinical Experience: Schools (1 hour)
  • TCH ED 2209 Foundations of Teaching in American Schools (2 hours)
  • TCH ED 3312 Psychology of Learning, Instruction, and Assessment (3 hours)
• Fall I
  • ECH ED 3302 Introduction to Inclusive Early Childhood Education (3 hours)
  • ELE ED 3338 Foundational Literacy Instruction and Assessment in Inclusive Settings (3 hours)
  • ENGL 3100 Junior-Level Writing (3 hours)
  • SPEC ED 3318 Inclusive Classrooms (3 hours)
  • TCH ED 1001 Early Clinical Experience: Community Agency (1 hour)
  • TCH ED 2000 Becoming a Professional Educator (1 hour)
  • TCH ED 3310 Instructional Design and Technology Integration (3 hours)
• Spring I
  • ECH ED 3303 Curriculum & Practice Laboratory: Infant/Toddler (1 hour)
  • ECH ED 3313 Curriculum & Practice: Infant/Toddler (2 hours)
  • ECH ED 4348 The Acquisition of Mathematical and Scientific Concepts (3 hours)
  • ELE ED 4246 Teaching Elementary Mathematics in Inclusive Settings I (3 hours)
  • SPEC ED 4323 Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Supports in Inclusive Educational Settings (3 hours)
• Summer I
  • TCH ED 3001 Mid-Level Clinical Experience: Diverse Learners (1 hour)
  • TCH ED 3212 Sociolinguistics and Communication in the Classroom (3 hours)
  • TCH ED 3565 Fine Arts Integration for the Elementary Classroom (2 hours)
  • TCH ED 3566 Teaching Health and Physical Education Skills and Concepts in the Elementary Classroom (2 hours)
• Fall II
  • ECH ED 3304 Curriculum & Practice Laboratory: Preschool (1 hour)
  • ECH ED 3314 Curriculum & Practice: Preschool Education (2 hours)
  • ECH ED 3350 Family and Professional Partnerships within School/Community (3 hours)
  • ECH ED 4317 Implementation, Evaluation, and Assessment in ECE (3 hours)
  • ELE ED 4342 Teaching Elementary Mathematics in Inclusive Settings II (3 hours)
• Spring II
  • ECH ED 3332 Literacy, Learning, and Instruction for the Young Child (3 hours)
  • ECH ED 4989 Practicum 1: ECH / SPEC ED Site-Based Experience (3 hours)
  • SPEC ED 4315 Language and Communication of Children with Disabilities (3 hours)
• Summer II
  • No courses
• Fall III - Teacher of Record
  • ECH ED 4990 Practicum 2: ECH/ SPEC ED Site-Based Experience (12 hours)

Accreditation

The College of Education programs are accredited by CACREP, Counseling; NASP, School Psychology; and AAQEP Teacher Education.

Total Credit Hours for Certification

The total credit hours required for certification is 79.