Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 3)

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education

The early childhood education major is designed to prepare students to teach in early childhood (birth through grade three) classrooms in private and public schools. The degree is granted upon completion of 139 credits as specified in the catalog (40 credits must be in 3000- or 4000-level courses).

  • Philosophy course in core curriculum: EDU4415.
  • Fine Arts course in core curriculum must include ART1005 or ART1825, and MUS1075 or MUS1825.
  • Natural World courses in the core curriculum must include MAT1006, Mathematics for Elementary Teachers, or an alternate course with MAT prefix at or above the 1000 level if competency for MAT1006 is demonstrated through the Department of Mathematics & Engineering.
  • Social Science course in core curriculum: PSY2108. (Transfer students unable to count PSY2108 for social science must take it as an added course.)
  • Biblical Worldview & Academic Disciplines course in core curriculum must include EDU3209 and EDU3209L. (Transfer students unable to count EDU3209 and EDU3209L for Academic Disciplines must take them as added courses.)
  • Students enrolling in Early Childhood Education courses requiring field experiences must have clearance from the Minnesota State Department of Human Services Background Study.

Education Core

29 cr
EDU2215Educational Foundations2
EDU2215LEducational Foundations Lab0
EDU3209Human Relations in a Cross-culturally Diverse World (OCE) See Academic Disciplines requirement above.
EDU3209LHuman Relations Lab See Academic Disciplines requirement above.
EDU3215Educational Psychology2
EDU3217School Health and Drug Problems2
EDU3246Instructional Foundations (Grades PK–8) (WCE)3
EDU3248Educating Diverse Learners in Grades PK–82
EDU3301Instructional Technology I1
EDU3302Instructional Technology II1
EDU4415Education Ethics See Philosophy course requirement above.
EDU4835Seminar in Professional Issues2
EDU4976Student Teaching in Early Childhood: Pre-primary7
EDU4977Student Teaching in Early Childhood: Elementary K–37

Required Major Courses

45 cr
CFD3205Child Development3
CFD3205LChild Development Lab0
CFD3305Infant/Toddler Development and Observation2
CFD3306Pre-primary Development and Observation2
ECE2216Foundations of Early Childhood Education2
ECE2216Foundations of Early Childhood Education Lab0
ECE3206Early Childhood Assessment2
ECE3217Health, Nutrition and Safety2
ECE3306Infant/Toddler Methods4
ECE3306LInfant/Toddler Methods Lab0
ECE4316Pre-primary Methods6
ECE4316LPre-primary Methods Lab0
ECE4319Fine Arts Methods and Strategies (Birth–Grade 3)2
ECE4335Family-School Relations2
EEL4306Language Arts Content and Teaching Strategies (K–3)3
EEL4317Mathematics Methods and Strategies (K–3)2
EEL4318Science and Social Studies Methods and Strategies (K–3)2
EEL4319Physical Education & Health Methods and Strategies (K–3)2
EEL4327Kindergarten Methods and the Primary Learner3
EEL4327LKindergarten Methods and the Primary Learner Lab0
EEL4346Reading Methods and Strategies K–64
EEL4347Children's Literature K–62
EEL4835Elementary Methods Seminar0
EEL4835LElementary Methods Lab I0

Note: WCE= Written Communication Emphasis; OCE = Oral Communication Emphasis. See the catalog for explanation and prerequisites.