Early Childhood Education (P-3) & Teacher of Students with Disabilities (with optional ESL endorsement)
This program prepares candidates to provide instruction in all subjects in general, inclusive, and special education settings from preschool through Grade 3. Candidates must earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in a content major to be eligible for a New Jersey certification in Early Childhood (P–3) and a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) endorsement. Candidates may also earn an optional ESL endorsement by completing additional requirements.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Requirements include:
- Completion of prerequisite courses: Child and Adolescent Development (3), and (MAT only) Educational Psychology (3);
- Completion of all BRIDGE General Education program requirements;
- Completion of a 30-credit major in biology, chemistry, English, history, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, natural sciences, psychology, or visual art;
- Completion of the 46-credit Professional Coursework in Early Childhood Education;
- Qualifying scores on a NJ Department of Education approved test of basic skills (PRAXIS CORE, ACT, SAT or GRE, or a combination of these);
- Passing score on the Praxis II exam in Early Childhood Content;
- Passing scores on the three GCU exams: Physiology and Hygiene (P&H); Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB); and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (CARE);
- Satisfactory ratings in clinical practice including recommendation for certification; and
- Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required to remain in the program (note: students with grade point averages between 2.75 and 2.99 may qualify to be in the Limited CEAS Pilot Program and should speak to their Advisor about this possibility).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Education Courses 1 | ||
| ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of Incl & SpEd | 3.0 |
| PS245 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3.0 |
| ED2999 | Field Experience in Special Education | 1.0 |
| ED3201 | Educational Assessment | 3.0 |
| ED3302 | Accom Mod & Asst Techn for SWD | 3.0 |
| ED3303 | Evi-Based Prac for Inst Stdnts w/ Autism | 3.0 |
| EE3114 | Instr Des & Techn Integ in Incl ECE | 3.0 |
| EE3115 | Instr in ELA & Lit I in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| EE3217 | Numeracy in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| EE3218 | Inst Lit II & SS Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| EE3219 | Sci & Tech in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| EE4212 | Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm ECE | 3.0 |
| EE4302 | Early Childhood Ed Clinical Practice | 9.0 |
| EE4303 | Reflective Practice in EC & SpEd | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 46.0 | |
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Praxis Tests Early Childhood Teacher candidates are required to pass the applicable Praxis II tests prior to part-time clinical practice: Early Childhood Content. For fall clinical practice, passing scores must be submitted by July 15; for spring clinical practice, they must be submitted by December 15.
Additional Requirements for optional ESL Endorsement
In addition to completing the courses listed below, students must earn a passing score on oral (OPI) and written English proficiency (WPT) examinations by the end of the program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for Optional ESL Endorsement | ||
| BE3021 | Second Language Acquisition | 3.0 |
| BE3026 | Phonology & Structure of American Eng | 3.0 |
| BE3101 | HisCultBackgroundELL | 3.0 |
| BE3102 | Theo Prac Methods Teach ESL Thr Content | 3.0 |
| BE3204 | Dev Lit Skills for Sec Lang Learners | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 15.0 | |
These degree maps are meant to illustrate a typical sequence of courses. However, actual recommended sequences of non-education courses will vary based on the student's liberal arts major, so students should confer with their academic advisor when planning a course of study and before registering for courses.
Four-Year Early Childhood (no MAT)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge | 2.0 |
| EN111 | Academic Writing and Research I | 3.0 |
| Mod. Lang; Culture; Global | 3.0 | |
| Quantitative Analysis | 3.0-4.0 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 17.0-18.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe | 3.0 |
| History | 3.0 | |
| Literature | 3.0 | |
| PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development (=Soc Science 1) | 3.0 |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 18.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Soc Science 2 (not Psychology) | 3.0 | |
| Religious Studies | 3.0 | |
| PL245 | Philosophical Inquiry | 3.0 |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Natural Sciences (w/ lab) 1 | 4.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of Incl & SpEd | 3.0 |
| PS245 & ED2999 |
Psychology of the Exceptional Child and Field Experience in Special Education |
4.0 |
| Credits | 17.0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| EE3114 | Instr Des & Techn Integ in Incl ECE | 3.0 |
| EE3115 | Instr in ELA & Lit I in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| ED3303 | Evi-Based Prac for Inst Stdnts w/ Autism (and Clinical Exp) | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| WS311 | Shaping Lives: Women & Gender | 3.0 |
| Ethics | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| EE3218 | Inst Lit II & SS Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| EE3217 | Numeracy in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| ED3302 | Accom Mod & Asst Techn for SWD | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18.0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEN400 | WI:Visioning a Future | 3.0 |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| EE3219 | Sci & Tech in Incl ECE & SpEd | 3.0 |
| ED3201 | Educational Assessment | 3.0 |
| EE4212 | Coll Plan w/ Family School & Comm ECE | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EE4302 | Early Childhood Ed Clinical Practice | 9.0 |
| EE4303 | Reflective Practice in EC & SpEd | 3.0 |
| Credits | 12.0 | |
| Total Credits | 130.0-131.0 | |