Early Childhood Education Major (BS)
The bachelor of science with a major in early childhood education includes a range of essential foundational “core” classes as well as courses in specialized areas pertinent to teaching and learning at early childhood developmental levels. The content of the courses in each program is guided by national standards and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction teacher standards as well as five integrated themes identified as foundational elements which are embedded in each education course: collaboration with regional partners to support clinical experiences, culturally responsive teaching, reflective practice, civic engagement and empowerment, and the integration of digital technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Early Childhood – Education Licensure: birth – grade 3
Requires a minimum of 140 clinical hours.
- Pupil development. The teacher understands how pupils grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas. The teacher designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences for pupils.
- Learning differences. The teacher uses his or her understanding of individual pupil differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each pupil to meet high standards.
- Learning environments. The teacher 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.
- Content knowledge. The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of each discipline he or she teaches. The teacher creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for pupils to assure mastery of the content.
- Application of content. The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage pupils in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
- Assessment. The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage pupils in their own growth, to monitor pupil progress, and to guide the teacher's and pupil's decision making.
- Planning for instruction. The teacher plans instruction that supports every pupil in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, pedagogy, pupils, and pupils' communities.
- Instructional strategies. The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage pupils to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to develop skills to apply knowledge in a meaningful way.
- Professional learning and ethical practice. The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning. The teacher uses evidence to continuously evaluate the teacher's practice, including the effects of the teacher's choices and actions on pupils, their families, other educators, and the community. The teacher adapts the teacher's practice to meet the needs of each pupil.
- Leadership and collaboration. The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunity in order to take responsibility for pupil learning, to collaborate with pupils, their families, educators, and the community, and to advance the profession.
Degree Requirements
See the Degree Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science policy in the Academic Catalog. Completing the degree requirements does not automatically lead to an endorsement for a teaching license. Student must meet the teaching license requirements listed below.
Licensure Requirements
All majors or pathways leading to licensure must meet the requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). DPI may make changes to the requirements for licensure at any time that may affect the teacher education program. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they are meeting with the teacher education advisor regularly to ensure that they have the most current licensure information.
A Tier II Wisconsin teaching license may be issued to a student who has received endorsement from the teacher education program’s Certification Officer. In order for a student to be endorsed for licensure, they must meet all requirements of the Exit Level Proficiency Policy.
· Successful completion of a licensable major or pathway, academic minor (if required for licensure), baccalaureate degree (if applicable) and UW-Parkside teacher education program (including student teaching).
· Successful completion of all clinical program requirements.
· Successful completion of the required content knowledge assessment.
· Successful completion of the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) (for majors/pathways in early childhood, elementary education, and special education).
· Successful completion of the pedagogical knowledge assessment determined by the program.
· A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and a department (EDU) GPA of 3.0 or higher in the teacher education program (all EDU courses) with no single EDU course grade lower than a C+ (with the exception of student teaching coursework, which requires a grade of CR.)
Requirements for the Early Childhood Education Major
Complete clinical and residency requirements; complete pre-residency requirements; comply with content knowledge policy.
Content Knowledge Policy Requirement
The requirement can be completed with two options. For Option 1, the teacher education program recommends the following courses that meet Content Knowledge Policy requirements. Students should consult with the teacher education advisor to ensure that they understand and are meeting requirements of the program’s content knowledge policy. If students are considering Option 2 (passing score on appropriate Praxis II), consult with the teacher education advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| COMM 105 | Public Speaking for the 21st Century | 3 |
| English Subtotal | 6 | |
| Mathematics | 3-5 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| College Mathematics with Applications | ||
| College Algebra I | ||
A course beyond MATH 111 with approval of department | ||
| Science | ||
| Life Science: Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Nature of Life | ||
| Bioscience | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| Earth and Space Science: Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Earth in Perspective | ||
| Astronomy of Native America | ||
| Physical Science: Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| The World of Chemistry | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Physics | ||
| Science Subtotal | 12-16 | |
| Social Studies | ||
| Geography: Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Geography of American Ethnicity and Race | ||
| Contemporary Human Geography | ||
| Introduction to Geography: World Regions | ||
| U.S. History: Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| The United States: Origins to Reconstruction | ||
| The United States: Reconstruction to Recent Times | ||
| Social Science: Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Immigration and Education | ||
| The American Economy | ||
| American Politics | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| World History: Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Western Civilization II: The Middle Ages to 1815 | ||
| World History III: From 1800 to the Present | ||
| Social Studies Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30-34 | |
Required Major Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete AAS in approved technical college Early Childhood Education | ||
| Required for admission into the major | ||
| Pre-Admission Courses | ||
| EDU 110 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| Pre-Admitted Courses Subtotal | 3 | |
| Admitted Courses | ||
| EDU 212 | Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers I | 3 |
| EDU 304 | Context and Culture In Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDU 312 | Designing Learner-Centered Lesson Plans | 3 |
| EDU 325 | Introduction to Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDU 332 | Foundations of Literacy | 3 |
| EDU 333 | Children's and Adolescent Literature and New Literacies | 3 |
| EDU 430 | Using Action Research to Improve Instruction | 2 |
| EDU 431 | Teaching Developmental Mathematics, Grades K-3 | 3 |
| EDU 432 | Teaching Developmental Literacy, Grades K-3 | 3 |
| EDU 433 | Teaching Developmental Science, Grades K-9 | 3 |
| EDU 440 | Teacher Preparation Portfolio Design | 2 |
| Admitted Courses Subtotal | 31 | |
| Residency (Student Teaching) Courses | ||
| EDU 420 | Residency Seminar | 2 |
| EDU 425 | Residency (Student Teaching) | 10 |
| Residency (Student Teaching) Courses Subtotal | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
The early childhood education major is a A+B articulation program in cooperation with the Wisconsin Technical College System or approved other area technical college. A student must first complete the A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education from a Wisconsin Technical Colleges institution or approved other area technical college prior to enrolling at UW-Parkside and declaring a Bachelor of Science with a major in Early Childhood Education. Program to program transfer courses/credits are accepted only for the degree specified in the articulation agreement. Admission to UW-Parkside does not guarantee admission to the early childhood education major.
Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)
In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements.
- Complete 120 credits of college work. This must include 36 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Certain elementary courses are identified in the catalog and/or course schedule as not counting toward the 120 credits required for graduation. In addition, only the first 8 credits of physical education activity courses (100-level) may be counted toward graduation or grade point averages (GPA).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credits toward their undergraduate degree at UW-Parkside. Individual departments and programs may require that certain courses must be taken at UW-Parkside. Students must complete all course work to be counted toward graduation by the end of the semester/subscription period in which they graduate.
- Attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. Some programs have higher GPA requirements. Transfer students must also have a cumulative 2.00 GPA on the combination of transfer credits accepted and credits attempted at UW-Parkside.
- Complete an approved major program of study with the minimum major GPA as specified by the program or department. Usually, the minimum GPA is 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, but some majors require a higher GPA. Students who apply transfer credits to their majors must also meet the minimum major GPA requirement on the combination of transfer credits and UW-Parkside credits. At least 15 credits of upper level course work (courses numbered 300 or higher) must be completed at UW-Parkside. A student may not graduate with an incomplete grade in major course work if failure in that course would reduce the GPA in the major below the minimum GPA.
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 |
| Core General Education | 35 |
| Upper Level Credits (300 level or above) | 36 |
| Residency | 30 |
See the undergraduate policy section for more specific information about Core General Education Requirements. A list of approved courses is available in the General Education program section of the catalog.