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 advisor.
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 endorsements 1001 and 262 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.
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
121 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 ** | 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 | Social and Emotional Development and Child-centered Guidance in Early Childhood ** | 3 |
| HD FS 343 | Assessment and Curriculum: Ages 3 through 6 Years ** | 4 |
| HD FS 345 | Inclusive Teaching and Interaction Strategies ** | 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 | Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades ** | 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
| EDUC 416A | Supervised Student Teaching - Elementary: Primary grades (K-3) | 8 |
| 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 | |
**Must receive a "C" or above
Orientation: 2 credits
| HD FS 110 | Freshman Learning Community Orientation | 1 |
| or HD FS 111 | New Transfer Student Seminar | |
| HD FS 208 | Early Childhood Education Teacher Orientation | 1 |
| Total Credits | 2 | |
Human Development and Family Studies: 3 credits
| HD FS 224 | Development in Young Children: Birth through Age 8 ** | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Communications and Library: 10 credits
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication ** | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition ** | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| Communication course from approved general education options list | 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 |
| Biological Sciences course from approved general education options list | 3 | |
| Physical Sciences course from approved general education options list | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
*Must receive a "C-" or above
Social Sciences: 9 credits
| HD FS 102 | Human Development | 3 |
| 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 list | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Humanities: 6 credits
| Humanities courses from approved ECE list | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives: .5 - 1.5 credits to equal 121 total credits
Total Credits: 121
U.S. Diversity and International Perspectives Requirement: Students in early childhood education – unified fulfill the U.S. Diversity 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
| COMST 210 | Communication and U.S. Diversity | 3 |
| COMST 211 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 214 | Professional Communication | 3 |
| COMST 218 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
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
| ANTHR 202 | Human Origins | 3 |
| BIOL 101 | Introductory Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 155 | Human Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 173 | Environmental Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 211 | Principles of Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 255 | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | 3 |
Physical Sciences: 3 credits
| ASTRO 120 | The Sky and the Solar System | 3 |
| ASTRO 150 | Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology | 3 |
| CHEM 160 | Chemistry in Modern Society | 3 |
| CHEM 163 | College Chemistry ((4 credits)) | 4 |
| GEOL 100 | How the Earth Works | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Environmental Geology: Earth in Crisis | 3 |
| MTEOR 206 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | Physics for the Nonscientist | 3 |
| PHYS 102L | Physical Sciences for Elementary Education | 3 |
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.
| AESHM 421 | Developing Global Leadership: Maximizing Human Potential | 3 |
| AF AM 330 | Ethnic and Race Relations | 3 |
| A M D 165 | Dress, Appearance, and Diversity in U.S. Society | 3 |
| A M D 362 | Cultural Perspectives of Global Dress | 3 |
| A M D 467 | Consumer Studies in Apparel and Fashion Products | 3 |
| AM IN 310 | Contemporary Topics in American Indian Studies | 3 |
| AM IN 315 | Archaeology of North America | 3 |
| AM IN 322 | Peoples and Cultures of Native North America | 3 |
| Anthropology (ANTHR) - except 202 | ||
| Economics (ECON) | ||
| FS HN 342 | World Food Issues: Past and Present | 3 |
| HD FS 239 | Consumer Issues | 3 |
| HD FS 249 | Parenting and Family Diversity Issues | 3 |
| HD FS 276 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| HD FS 360 | Housing and Services for Families and Children | 3 |
| HD FS 367 | Abuse and Illness in Families | 3 |
| HD FS 377 | Aging and the Family | 3 |
| HD FS 395 | Children, Families, and Public Policy | 3 |
| INTST 235 | Introduction to International Studies | 3 |
| LING 219 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| LING 471 | Language and Reading Development in Children | 3 |
| Political Science (POL S) | ||
| Psychology (PSYCH) - except 131, 332/333 | ||
| Sociology (SOC), including Criminal Justice (C J) | ||
| WGS 201 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 203 | Introduction to Lesbian Communities | 3 |
| WGS 301 | International Perspectives on Women and Gender | 3 |
| WGS 320 | Ecofeminism | 3 |
| WGS 327 | Gender and Sexualities in Society | 3 |
| WGS 328 | Sociology of Masculinities and Manhood | 3 |
| WGS 346 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| WGS 350 | Women of Color in the U.S | 3 |
| WGS 385 | Women in Politics | 3 |
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.
| AESHM 342 | Aesthetics of Consumer Experience | 3 |
| AF AM 201 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| AF AM 334 | Africana Religions | 3 |
| AF AM 347 | Studies in African American Literature | 3 |
| AF AM 353 | History of African Americans I | 3 |
| AF AM 354 | History of African Americans II | 3 |
| A M D 257 | Museum Studies | 3 |
| A M D 354 | Euro-American Dress History: Prehistoric to Mid-19th Century | 3 |
| A M D 356 | Euro-American Dress History: Mid-19th Century to the Present | 3 |
| AM IN 210 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 |
| AM IN 240 | Introduction to American Indian Literature | 3 |
| AM IN 346 | American Indian Literature | 3 |
| ANTHR 230 | Globalization and the Human Condition | 3 |
| ANTHR 340 | Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion | 3 |
| ARCH 221 | Histories and Theories of Architecture to 1750 | 3 |
| ARCH 420 | Topics in American Architecture | 3 |
| Art History (ART H) | ||
| Classical Studies (CL ST) | ||
| DANCE 270 | Dance Appreciation | 3 |
| DANCE 360 | History and Philosophy of Dance | 3 |
| History (HIST) except 221 or 222 | ||
| HSP M 260 | Global Tourism Management | 3 |
| Literature (ENGL) except 205 | ||
| MUSIC 102 | Introduction to Music Listening | 3 |
| MUSIC 302 | Masterpieces of Music and Art in Western Culture. | 3 |
| MUSIC 304 | History of American Rock 'n' Roll | 3 |
| MUSIC 383 | History of Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 384 | History of Music II | 3 |
| Philosophy (PHIL) | ||
| Religious Studies (RELIG) | ||
| THTRE 106 | Introduction to the Performing Arts | 3 |
| THTRE 110 | Theatre and Society | 3 |
| THTRE 465 | Theatre History: Ancient to 19th Century | 3 |
| THTRE 466 | Theatre History: 19th Century to Present | 3 |
| US LS 211 | Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Studies | 3 |
| WGS 201 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 336 | Religion, Sex and Gender | 3 |
| WGS 338 | Feminist Philosophy | 3 |
| WGS 345 | Women and Literature: Selected Topics | 3 |
| WGS 370 | Studies in English Translation | 3 |
| WGS 374 | Sex, Gender, and Culture in the Ancient Mediterranean World | 3 |
| WGS 386 | History of Women in America | 3 |
| World Languages and Cultures (ARABC, CHIN, FRNCH, GER, GREEK, RUS, SPAN) | ||
Early Childhood Education - Unified, B.S.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HD FS 102 | 3 | HD FS 208 | 1 |
| HD FS 110 or 111 | 1 | Humanities Option* | 3 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | HIST 221 or 222 | 3 |
| EDUC 205 | 3 | MATH 195 | 3 |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | SP ED 250 | 3 |
| Humanities Option* | 3 | Social Sciences Option* | 3 |
| PSYCH 131 (recommended elective) | 1 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 196 | 3 | EDUC 245 | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | EDUC 332 | 3 |
| EDUC 201 | 3 | HD FS 224 | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Option* | 3 | Biological Sciences Option* | 3 |
| HD FS 240 | 3 | Communication Option* | 3 |
| Apply to Educator Preparation program | |||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| EDUC 377B | 4 | EDUC 433B | 2 |
| EDUC 438B | 2 | EDUC 439B | 2 |
| EDUC 468FB | 1 | EDUC 468IB | 1 |
| EDUC 468GB | 1 | SP ED 405B | 4 |
| HD FS 340 | 4 | SP ED 458B | 1 |
| HD FS 345 | 3 | HD FS 342 | 3 |
| Finalize Degree Audit | HD FS 343 | 4 | |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HD FS 455 | 4 | EDUC 416AB | 8 |
| HD FS 456 | 3 | HD FS 417CB | 8 |
| EDUC 405 | 3 | HD FS 418A | .5 |
| H S 105 | 2 | ||
| Electives, if needed to equal 121 total credits | .5-3 | ||
| Take Praxis II prior to Licensing | |||
| Apply to graduate | |||
| Apply to student teaching | |||
| 12.5-15 | 16.5 | ||
This sheet provides a guide to the sequence of HD FS and EDUC courses; courses adhere to a prescribed sequence of semesters. Your academic advisor will help you develop an individual long range plan.
- B
Block of courses listed together in the semester must be taken concurrently as sequenced
- *
See approved general education options list of courses for courses in Biological Sciences, Humanities, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences
ISU requires a 3 credit U.S. Diversity course (satisfied by HD FS 240) and a 3 credit international perspective course (usually met through a University approved humanities or social science options from the approved general education options list).