Course description A Major in Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education majors complete a comprehensive course of study which includes a sequence of General Education courses; a Focused Area of Study in the Visual Arts, Performing Arts, or Language and Culture; an Education Core; and a Concentration. Students in the Teacher Certification concentration spend two years working under experienced teachers in public and private Chicago area schools prior to graduation. Students in the Center Director concentration complete a year long, supervised practicum.
All ECE students must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in an area of the Visual or Performing Arts, or Language and Culture, beyond courses used to meet the General Education requirements. Approximately half of those credit hours must be taken in upper division courses. A list of Focused Areas of Study is included in the ECE Program Handbook and available in the program office.
All ECE students complete a 25 credit hour Education Core and a Concentration.
Teacher Certification General Education Requirements
6 credit hours of English Composition I and II; 3 credit hours of oral communications; 6 credit hours of college level mathematics; 6 credit hours of science (including one laboratory course, one biological science, and one physical science); 3 credit hours of U.S. History; 3 credit hours of U.S. Government specifically addressing the U.S. Constitution; 3 credit hours of history; 3 credit hours of computer applications; 3 credit hours of literature; 3 credit hours of Senior Seminar (ethics); 3 credit hours of humanities-comparative arts; 3 credit hours of humanities-Art/Education Seminar
No credit will be given for any course in which less than a "C" is earned and a grade of "B" or better must be earned in English Composition and mathematics.
Focused Area of Study (both concentrations) - 18 credit hours
18 credit hours in a focused area of the visual arts, performing arts, or language and culture studies. See ECTE Program Handbook for a list of suggested courses.
No credit will be given for any course in which less than a "C" is earned for Teacher Certification students.
Education Core (all concentrations)
38-1100 Teaching in Early Childhood Education
38-1530 Brain Basics: Health and Development in Young Children
38-2110 The History and Philosophy of Early Childhood Education
38-2125 Child Growth and Development
38-2130 Language Development
38-2140 Child, Family, and Community
38-2155 The Exceptional Child
38-3180 The Role of Art in Development (taken during the final semester)