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Early Childhood Education

This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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The curriculum in early childhood education – unified (ECE) prepares graduates to teach young children and work with their families. This program leads to careers working with young children (both those who are typically developing and those with special needs) from birth through age eight. Graduates may be employed by either public or private agencies or schools to teach in early childhood classrooms (preschool through 3rd grade) or in home-based programs. This curriculum has been approved by the Iowa Department of Education and meets the requirements for the early childhood education – unified teacher license. The program is an interdepartmental major administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and School of Education.

Students who enroll in the early childhood education – unified program must apply to and be accepted into the teacher education program prior to enrolling in advanced courses. All early childhood education – unified students must meet general education requirements for teacher licensure. 

Additional information is also available from the student’s academic adviser. Students in early childhood education – unified must meet the performance outcome standards for teacher licensure. Standards are assessed in coursework through artifacts such as assignments, projects, or practicum participation. These standards assessments are based on the early childhood content standards for endorsement 100 in the State of Iowa. These include competencies in (1) promoting child development, learning and individual learning differences, (2) building family and community relationships, (3) observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families, (4) using developmentally and individually effective approaches to connect with children and families, (5) using content knowledge to build a meaningful curriculum, (6) professional responsibilities, and (7) early childhood field experiences. Pre-student teaching field experiences in at least three settings, and student teaching experiences in at least two different settings is required.

Curriculum in Early Childhood Education – Unified

Degree Requirements

124 total credits required

Communications and Library: 10 credits

ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication **3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition **3
LIB 160Information Literacy1
Communication course from approved ECE list3
Total Credits10

**Must receive a "C" or above

Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Health: 14 credits

MATH 195Mathematics for Elementary Education I *3
MATH 196Mathematics for Elementary Education II *3
H S 105First Aid and Emergency Care2
Physical Sciences course from approved ECE list3
Biological Sciences course from approved ECE list3
Total Credits14

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Social Sciences: 9 credits

HD FS 102Individual and Family Development, Health, and Well-being3
One of the following:3
Survey of United States History I
Survey of United States History II
Introduction to American Government
Social Sciences course from approved ECE list3
Total Credits9

Humanities: 9 credits

Humanities courses from approved ECE list9
Total Credits9

Human Development and Family Studies: 3 credits

HD FS 224Development in Young Children: Birth through Age 8 **3
Total Credits3

**Must receive a "C" or above

Orientation: 2 credits

HD FS 110Freshman Learning Community Orientation1
HD FS 208Early Childhood Education Teacher Orientation1
Total Credits2

 Professional Education core: 15 credits

EDUC 201Educational Technologies in the PK-6 Classroom **3
EDUC 205Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Early Childhood and Elementary Education3
EDUC 332Educational Psychology of Early Childhood and Elementary Education **3
EDUC 405Social Justice Education and Teaching: Early Childhood and Elementary3
SP ED 250Education of the Exceptional Learner in a Diverse Society **3
Total Credits15

 **Must receive a "C" or above

Preprimary Inclusive: 24 credits

HD FS 240Literature for Children **3
HD FS 340Assessment and Curriculum: Ages Birth through 2 Years **4
HD FS 342Guidance and Group Management in Early Childhood **3
HD FS 343Assessment and Curriculum: Ages 3 through 6 Years **4
HD FS 345Adapting Programming in Inclusive Settings **3
HD FS 455Curriculum and Interventions: Ages 3 through 6 Years **4
HD FS 456Working with Families in Early Intervention **3
Total Credits24

 **Must receive a "C" or above

Primary Inclusive: 21 credits

EDUC 245Landscape of Teaching **3
EDUC 377The Teaching of Reading and Language Arts in the Primary Grades (K-3) **4
EDUC 433Teaching Social Studies in the Primary Grades **2
EDUC 438Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades **2
EDUC 439Teaching Science in the Primary Grades **2
EDUC 468FPre-Student Teaching Experience II: Primary Grades Inclusive, Literacy **1
EDUC 468GPre-Student Teaching Experience II: Primary Grades Inclusive, Mathematics **1
EDUC 468IPre-Student Teaching Experience II: Primary Grades Inclusive, Science **1
SP ED 405Assessment and Instructional Methods in Inclusive Primary Settings (K-3)4
SP ED 458Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Mild/Moderate Disabilities in Primary Grades (K-3)1
Total Credits21

 **Must receive a "C" or above

Student Teaching**: 16.5 credits

8 credits:8
EDUC 416ASupervised Student Teaching - Elementary: Primary grades (K-3) **arr †
HD FS 417CSupervised Student Teaching: Early Childhood Special Education Programs. **8
HD FS 418AProfessional Practice Reflection/Discussion: Teaching.5
Total Credits16.5 †
† Arranged with instructor.

**Must receive a "C" or above

Electives: .5 - 1.5 credits to equal 124 total credits

Total Credits: 124

U.S. Diversity and International Perspectives Requirement: Students in early childhood education – unified fulfill the U.S. Diversity with SP ED 250 or HD FS 240. International Perspectives Requirements  are met by choosing three credits of coursework from university-approved Humanities or Social Sciences included on the ECE approved options sheet.

Early Childhood Education, B.S.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HD FS 1023HD FS 2081
HD FS 1101Humanities Option*3
LIB 1601HIST 221, 222, or POL S 2153
EDUC 2053MATH 1953
ENGL 1503SP ED 2503
Humanities Option*3Social Sciences Option*3
PSYCH 131recommended elective1Pass Praxis Core prior to taking EDUC 245 
 15 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MATH 1963EDUC 2453
ENGL 2503EDUC 3323
EDUC 2013HD FS 2243
Physical Sciences Option*3Biological Sciences Option*3
HD FS 2403Communication Option*3
 Apply to Teacher Education program 
 15 15
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
EDUC 377B4EDUC 433B2
EDUC 438B2EDUC 439B2
EDUC 468FB1EDUC 468IB1
EDUC 468GB1SP ED 405B4
HD FS 340 or 3434SP ED 458B1
HD FS 342 or 3453HD FS 340 or 3434
Finalize Degree Audit HD FS 342 or 3453
 15 17
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HD FS 4554EDUC 416AB8
HD FS 4563HD FS 417CB8
Humanities Option*3HD FS 418A.5
EDUC 4053 
H S 1052 
Electives, if needed to equal 124 total credits1-3 
Take Praxis II prior to Licensing  
Apply to graduate  
Apply to student teaching  
 16-18 16.5