Early Childhood Education: No Certification (BA)
Program Description
Although this major does not result in Residency Certification, selecting the major-only route will prepare students with content and instructional strategies to work in early childhood systems.
The highlight of the major is the practicum experience, which will provide comprehensive experiences in early learning centers. The practicum is set up in collaboration with an Early Childhood Education advisor.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Early Childhood Education: No Certification (BA)
94 Credits Minimum, Including 56 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education Core | ||
| ECE 3100 | Early Learning for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| ECE 3200 | Creativity, Play, and Art in Young Learners | 5 |
| ECE 3350 | Language, Early Literacy and Social Studies in Early Learning | 5 |
| ECE 3450 | Guidance and Assessment in Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECE 3600 | Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 3700 | STEAM for Early Learning | 3 |
| ECE 4899 | Early Childhood & Elementary Education Capstone | 2 |
| EDRD 3516 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| EDU 4930 | Education Practicum 1 | 1 |
| FCS 3240 | Individual and Family Development | 5 |
| MAT 1560 | Numerical Reasoning | 4 |
| PSY 1180 | General Psychology: Individual in Growth | 5 |
| PSY 3460 | Child Developmental Psychology | 5 |
| EDU 3000 | Physical Education for P-8 | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 75 | |
| Foundations Quarter | ||
| ECE 2100 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| EDU 2300 | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 8 | |
| Methods Courses | ||
| ECE 4800 | STEAM for Early Learning Methods | 5 |
| EDU 3205 | Elementary General Methods I: Planning for Instruction and Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDU 4205 | General Methods II: Supporting Multilingual Learners in the General Education Classroom | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 11 | |
| Total Credits | 94 | |
- 1
Repeat to reach 22 credits
Suggested Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| ECE 2100 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Winter | ||
| MAT 1560 | Numerical Reasoning | 4 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY 1180 | General Psychology: Individual in Growth | 5 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Winter or Spring | ||
| EDU 2300 | Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Autumn | ||
| ECE 3100 | Early Learning for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| FCS 3240 | Individual and Family Development | 5 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECE 3200 | Creativity, Play, and Art in Young Learners | 5 |
| ECE 3350 | Language, Early Literacy and Social Studies in Early Learning | 5 |
| ECE 3450 | Guidance and Assessment in Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECE 3600 | Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 3700 | STEAM for Early Learning | 3 |
| EDRD 3516 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| PSY 3460 | Child Developmental Psychology | 5 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Autumn | ||
| EDU 3205 | Elementary General Methods I: Planning for Instruction and Classroom Management | 3 |
| ECE 4800 | STEAM for Early Learning Methods | 5 |
| EDU 4930 | Education Practicum | 2 |
| EDU 3000 | Physical Education for P-8 | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| EDU 4205 | General Methods II: Supporting Multilingual Learners in the General Education Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 4930 | Education Practicum | 10 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECE 4899 | Early Childhood & Elementary Education Capstone | 2 |
| EDU 4930 | Education Practicum | 10 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 94 | |
The major will fulfill WKA, WKSS and CUE requirements. Be sure to fulfill Writing, Common Curriculum (FYS, WRI, TCOR, and UCOR), and remaining Exploratory Curriculum Requirements (WKH, WK Science, and WKQR).