The degree in early childhood education – unified (ECE) is Administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.
The ECE curriculum prepares graduates to teach young children (birth through age 8/third grade) and work with their families. Students meet performance outcomes through coursework and a variety of practicum experiences with infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary school age children (K-3) with varying abilities and needs.
Graduates can be recommended for licensure to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. The curriculum meets requirements for candidates to seek a teaching endorsement in PK-3 Inclusive Settings, (1001) and PK-K Early Childhood Special Education (262), which permit individuals to teach general and special education for children from birth through third grade.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program will meet the following learning objectives, as defined by the InTASC standards for teacher preparation.
Standard 1: Learner Development
The student understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
Standard 2: Learning Differences
The student uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
Standard 3: Learning Environments
The student works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Standard 4: Content Knowledge
The student understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
Standard 5: Application of Content
The student understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Standard 6: Assessment
The student understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
Standard 7: Planning for Instruction
The student plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
Standard 8: Instructional Strategies
The student understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Standard 8A: Technology
The student integrates current and emerging technology in instruction to encourage student creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy. Teachers practice and advocate safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
The student engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Standard 10: Leadership and Collaboration
The student seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Curriculum in Early Childhood Education – Unified
Degree Requirements
122 total credits required
Professional Education core: 15 credits
| EDUC 2010 | Educational Technologies in the PK-6 Classroom ** | 3 |
| EDUC 2050 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 3 |
| EDUC 3320 | Educational Psychology of Early Childhood and Elementary Education ** | 3 |
| EDUC 4050 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Early Childhood and Elementary | 3 |
| SPED 2500 | Education of the Exceptional Learner ** | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Preprimary Inclusive: 24 credits
| HDFS 2400 | Children’s Literature ** | 3 |
| HDFS 3400 | Infant-Toddler Curriculum and Assessment ** | 4 |
| HDFS 3420 | Social-Emotional Development and Guidance ** | 3 |
| HDFS 3430 | Preschool Curriculum and Assessment ** | 4 |
| HDFS 3450 | Inclusive Teaching and Interaction Strategies ** | 3 |
| HDFS 4550 | Curriculum and Interventions: Ages 3 through 6 Years ** | 4 |
| HDFS 4560 | Family Partnerships in Early Childhood ** | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Primary Inclusive: 20 credits
| EDUC 2450 | Landscape of Teaching ** | 3 |
| EDUC 3770 | Foundations of Literacy | 4 |
| EDUC 4330 | Teaching Social Studies in the Primary Grades ** | 2 |
| EDUC 4380 | Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades ** | 2 |
| EDUC 4390 | Teaching Science in the Primary Grades ** | 2 |
| EDUC 4680F | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades Inclusive, Literacy ** | 1 |
| EDUC 4680G | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades Inclusive, Mathematics ** | 1 |
| EDUC 4680I | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades Inclusive, Science ** | 1 |
| SPED 4050 | Assessment and Instructional Methods in Inclusive Primary Settings (K-3) ** | 4 |
| SPED 4580 | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Mild/Moderate Disabilities in Primary Grades (K-3) ** | 1 |
| Total Credits | 21 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Student Teaching**: 16.5 credits
| EDUC 4160A | Supervised Student Teaching - Elementary: Primary grades (K-3) | 8 |
| HDFS 4170 | Supervised Student Teaching: Early Childhood Special Education | 8 |
| HDFS 4180 | Reflective Supervision | 0.5 |
| Total Credits | 16.5 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Orientation: 3 credits
| HDFS 1100 | Freshman Learning Community Orientation | 1 |
| or HDFS 1110 | New Transfer Student Seminar |
| HDFS 2080 | Foundations of Early Childhood Professions | 2 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
Human Development and Family Studies: 4 credits
Communications and Library: 10 credits
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication ** | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition ** | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 10 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Health: 14 credits
| MATH 1950 | Mathematics for Elementary Education I * | 3 |
| MATH 1960 | Mathematics for Elementary Education II * | 3 |
| HS 1050 | First Aid and Emergency Care | 2 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
*Must receive a "C-" or above
Social Sciences: 9 credits
| HDFS 1020 | Human Development | 3 |
| 3 |
| Survey of United States History I | |
| Survey of United States History II | |
| Introduction to American Government | |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
Humanities: 6 credits
Electives: Credits left to get to 122 total credits
Total Credits: 122
U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives Requirement: Students in early childhood education – unified fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives Requirements by choosing three credits of coursework from university-approved Humanities or Social Sciences included on the approved general education options list.
The courses listed in this section are approved general education course options for this major.
Communication Skills: 3 credits
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 6 credits. Coursework designed to facilitate students' understanding of the structure and behavior of the natural world, appreciate mathematics as a valuable tool of the sciences, and an intrinsically important way of thinking.
Biological Sciences: 3 credits
Physical Sciences: 3 credits
Social Sciences: 9 credits. Coursework designed to help students develop an understanding of the principal methods of studying human behavior and an understanding of the structure and functioning of institutions.
Humanities: 6 credits. Coursework designed to assist students to develop an understanding of human cultural heritage and history, and an appreciation of reasoning and the aesthetic value of human creativity.
