Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood/Childhood Education
Course descriptionAlfred University's Early Childhood/Childhood Education major is field-based, with two practicum placements, taken the semester prior to student teaching. These experiences provide an excellent opportunity to observe and model a variety of instructional strategies and practices at various grade levels.
Admission to the Major
Students may apply for admission into the Early Childhood/Childhood Education program upon successful completion of their sophomore year. To be admitted, students must
* Interview with a member of the education faculty,
* Have a 2.75 overall grade point average in their liberal arts coursework,
* Achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the prerequisite education courses EDUC 230 and EDUC 231.
* Take the Liberal Arts and Science (LAST) section of the New York State Teacher Certification Examination.
Requirements for the Major
Students majoring in Early Childhood/Childhood Education must fulfill the following requirements:
* Complete coursework that demonstrates depth and breadth in the arts and sciences and fulfills requirements in basic competencies in the following areas of knowledge: written communication, mathematics, computer, literature, foreign language, arts, social science, historical studies, and natural science.
* Select an academic area that is aligned with the current New York State Learning Standards. Examples include areas such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies (history and/or political science). Over half the coursework in the academic area of concentration must be taken at an advanced (300-400) level.
Timeline
* Spring semester of the junior year - the Education portion of the program begins with field-based coursework in early childhood/childhood curriculum, orientation, literacy, integrated methodology of social studies, mathematics, and science. The required concurrent field experience in two different placements in an area school system is designed as an opportunity to blend theory with experiential application.
* Fall semester of the senior year - students are placed in area schools for student teaching. Courses in literacy, methods applications, and classroom management and evaluation are designed to assist students in planning lessons that incorporate the New York State Learning Standards. During the semester of student teaching, students gain a solid understanding of the scope and sequence of education in the K-6 classroom. They apply current educational methodologies and develop lesson and unit plans under the guidance of cooperating teachers and university professors.
Education Coursework
A grade point average of 3.0 or higher in EDUC 230 and EDUC 231as well as a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher is required for admission to this program. A total of 45 credit hours must be completed.
* Prerequisite courses
o EDUC 230 Psychological Foundations of Education (3 credits)
o EDUC 231 Social Foundations of Education (3 credits)
o MATH 102 Mathematics of Early Childhood/Childhood Teachers
o SCIE 127 Doing Science
o One additional science course addressing the NYS content learning standards in Science
* Spring Semester - Junior Year
o EDUC 374 Integrated Methods: social studies, science, mathematics and computer applications (6 credits)
o EDUC 375 Early Childhood/Childhood Practicum (3 credits)
o EDUC 471 Methods of Teaching Literacy (6 credits)
o EDUC 474 Orientation to the Early Childhood/Childhood Classroom (3 credits)
* Fall Semester - Senior Year
o EDUC 472 Competency Skills in Teaching Literacy (3 credits)
o EDUC 473 Assessment in the Early Childhood/Childhood Classroom (3 credits)
o EDUC 461 Student Teaching (12 credits)
* Spring Semester - Senior Year
o SPED 456 Human Development: Exceptionality (3 credits)
Academic Areas of Concentration
Students must complete 30 hours in an academic area of concentration, half of which must be completed at the upper level (300-400). The following are examples of academic concentrations:
* Social Science (psychology, sociology)
* Social Studies (history and/or political science)
* Science (biology, chemistry, astronomy, physics, environmental science)
* Mathematics (computer science, mathematics)
* Foreign Language
* English
Certification
Students completing Alfred University's Early Childhood/Childhood Education program meet the academic requirements of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for certification in Early Childhood/Childhood Education.
In order to meet the NYSED requirements for initial certification, teaher candidates must take the following three NYSTE examinations. Candidates must have taken all three in order to register for EDUC 461.
* Liberat Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
* Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (AST-W)
* Content Specialty Test (SCT)
Two workshops are required as well:
* School Violence Prevention (SAVE)
* ChildAbuse Identification