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 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, Spanish, 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.
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 | |