Early Childhood Education (P-3) & Teacher of Students with Disabilities
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.
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 course: Child and Adolescent Development (3);
- Completion of all IMPACT General Education program requirements;
- Completion of a 30-credit major in biology, chemistry, English, history, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, psychology, or visual art;
- Completion of the 46-credit Professional Coursework in Early Childhood Education;
- Passing score on the Praxis II exam in Early Childhood Content;
- Passing scores on the three in-house 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 American Ed | 3.0 |
| SPE3030 | Foundations of Special Education | 3.0 |
| EE3114 | Essentials of Instr for ECE | 3.0 |
| ED3242 | Foundational Literacy Instruction | 3.0 |
| SPE5032 | Assessment in Special Education | 3.0 |
| ED3209 | Math Instruct. in EC & ELEM Ed | 3.0 |
| ED3222 | Lit Integ in EC & Elem Social St | 3.0 |
| EE3244 | Screen and Assess Reading Diff in ECE | 3.0 |
| ED3306 | Assess & Remediate Math Diffic | 3.0 |
| SPE5031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning | 3.0 |
| EE4303 | Reflective Practice in EC & SpEd | 3.0 |
| EE4302 | Early Childhood Ed Clinical Practice | 9.0 |
| Total Credits | 42.0 | |
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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.
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
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge 1 | 2.0 |
| EN111 or EN221 |
Writing, Research, and Digital Literacy 1 or HNRS: Rhetoric, Research & Digital Lit |
3.0 |
| GE-Intercultural Understanding & Intercultural Communication 1 | 3.0 | |
| GE-Mathematical Reasoning 1 | 3.0-4.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 14.0-15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe 1 | 3.0 |
| GE-Creative Thinking & Expression 1 | 3.0 | |
| PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development (=GE-Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems) 1 | 3.0 |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GE-Religious Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
| GE-Critical Reading & Analysis 1 | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GE-Scientific Thinking 1 | 4.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of American Ed | 3.0 |
| SPE3030 | Foundations of Special Education | 3.0 |
| Credits | 16.0 | |
| 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 | Essentials of Instr for ECE | 3.0 |
| ED3242 | Foundational Literacy Instruction | 3.0 |
| SPE3032 | Assessment in Special Education | 3.0 |
| Credits | 18.0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GE-Ethics 1 | 3.0 | |
| GE-Power & Society 1 | 3.0 | |
| ED3209 | Math Instruct. in EC & ELEM Ed | 3.0 |
| ED3222 | Lit Integ in EC & Elem Social St | 3.0 |
| EE3244 | Screen and Assess Reading Diff in ECE | 3.0 |
| Credits | 15.0 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GEN400 | WI:Visioning a Future 1 | 3.0 |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
| ED3306 | Assess & Remediate Math Diffic | 3.0 |
| SPE3031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning | 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 | 120.0-121.0 | |
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IMPACT General Education course