Administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the School of Education. Leading to the degree bachelor of science.
The curriculum in early childhood education – unified (ECE) prepares graduates to teach young children and work with their families. This curriculum has been approved by the Iowa Department of Education and meets requirements for candidates to seek a teaching endorsement in PK-3, Inclusive Settings, which permits individuals to teach general and special education for children from birth through third grade. Graduates may be employed by either public or private agencies or schools to teach in early childhood classrooms (preschool through third grade) or in home-based programs.
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.
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 1001 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
Professional Education core: 15 credits
| EDUC 201 | Educational Technologies in the PK-6 Classroom ** | 3 |
| EDUC 205 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Early Childhood and Elementary Education | 3 |
| EDUC 332 | Educational Psychology of Early Childhood and Elementary Education ** | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Social Justice Education and Teaching: Early Childhood and Elementary | 3 |
| SP ED 250 | Education of the Exceptional Learner in a Diverse Society ** | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Preprimary Inclusive: 24 credits
| HD FS 240 | Literature for Children ** | 3 |
| HD FS 340 | Assessment and Curriculum: Ages Birth through 2 Years ** | 4 |
| HD FS 342 | Guidance and Group Management in Early Childhood ** | 3 |
| HD FS 343 | Assessment and Curriculum: Ages 3 through 6 Years ** | 4 |
| HD FS 345 | Adapting Programming in Inclusive Settings ** | 3 |
| HD FS 455 | Curriculum and Interventions: Ages 3 through 6 Years ** | 4 |
| HD FS 456 | Working with Families in Early Intervention ** | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Primary Inclusive: 21 credits
| EDUC 245 | Landscape of Teaching ** | 3 |
| EDUC 377 | The Teaching of Reading and Language Arts in the Primary Grades (K-3) ** | 4 |
| EDUC 433 | Teaching Social Studies in the Primary Grades ** | 2 |
| EDUC 438 | Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades ** | 2 |
| EDUC 439 | Teaching Science in the Primary Grades ** | 2 |
| EDUC 468F | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades Inclusive, Literacy ** | 1 |
| EDUC 468G | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades Inclusive, Mathematics ** | 1 |
| EDUC 468I | Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades Inclusive, Science ** | 1 |
| SP ED 405 | Assessment and Instructional Methods in Inclusive Primary Settings (K-3) | 4 |
| SP ED 458 | 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
| 8 |
| EDUC 416A | Supervised Student Teaching - Elementary: Primary grades (K-3) ** | arr † |
| HD FS 417C | Supervised Student Teaching: Early Childhood Special Education Programs. ** | 8 |
| HD FS 418A | Professional Practice Reflection/Discussion: Teaching | .5 |
| Total Credits | 16.5 † |
| † Arranged with instructor. |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Orientation: 2 credits
| HD FS 110 | Freshman Learning Community Orientation | 1 |
| HD FS 208 | Early Childhood Education Teacher Orientation | 1 |
| Total Credits | 2 |
Communications and Library: 10 credits
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication ** | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition ** | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Information Literacy | 1 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 10 |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Health: 14 credits
| MATH 195 | Mathematics for Elementary Education I * | 3 |
| MATH 196 | Mathematics for Elementary Education II * | 3 |
| H S 105 | First Aid and Emergency Care | 2 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
*Must receive a "C-" or above
Social Sciences: 9 credits
| HD FS 102 | Individual and Family Development, Health, and Well-being | 3 |
| 3 |
| Survey of United States History I | |
| Survey of United States History II | |
| Introduction to American Government | |
| 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 |
Humanities: 9 credits
Human Development and Family Studies: 3 credits
| HD FS 224 | Development in Young Children: Birth through Age 8 ** | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
**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.
