Elementary and Early Childhood Education Major, B.A.

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Total minimum number of credits required for a major in Elementary and Early Childhood Education Leading to the B.A. degree -124.

Mission of the Elementary and Early Childhood Program

The mission of the Elementary and Early Childhood Program is to prepare highly effective teachers who have the knowledge, skills,and competencies to prepare Pre K-4 students to achieve academic success, and who are prepared to serve a diverse group of children and families in a variety of educational settings.

Wilkes offers an option of a part-time, fully online completion degree pathway within the elementary and early childhood program for transfer students entering with an Associate’s degree or at least 55 transferrable credits. This pathway is designed for the working adult to continue their education part-time in an online environment and follows the same course sequence as the traditional program.

Elementary and Early Childhood Education is a major leading to pre-kindergarten through fourth grade (PK-4) certification. This program incorporates an 18-credit minor in Reading. Elementary and Early Childhood Education majors take methods of teaching courses in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, physical education and health, as well as courses in educational theory and practice, assessment, and classroom management. Students must fulfill all of the following requirements:

complete all course work, field experiences, clearances, appropriate tests of basic skills, and student teaching;
complete the following General Education Curriculum requirements, which include:

First Year Foundations

FYF 101 - First-Year Foundations Credits: 3

Oral Communications

Fulfilled by OPO courses in Education major

English Composition and Literature

7 credits, completed within the first 48 credit hours as required by the PDE:

ENG 101 - Composition Credits: 4
ENG 120 - Introduction to Literature and Culture Credits: 3

Mathematics

6 credits, completed within first 48 credit hours as required by the PDE

MTH 101 - Solving Problems Using Mathematics Credits: 3
MTH 103 - Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers Credits: 3
MTH 104 - Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II Credits: 3

Computer Literacy

CS 115 - Computers and Applications Credits: 3

Foreign Language or Philosophy

OR
PHL 101 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3
PHL 110 - Introduction to Ethical Problems Credits: 3 (Foreign Language is highly recommended)

History

3 credits:

HST 101 - The Historical Foundations of The Modern World Credits: 3
HST 125 - American History I Credits: 3
HST 125-American History I (3 credits) is required for certification

Science

6 credits in two different areas and at least one course that includes a laboratory component:

BIO 105 - The Biological World Credits: 3
EES 105 - Planet Earth Credits: 3
CHM 105 - Chemistry and Modern Society Credits: 3
PHY 105 - Concepts in Physics Credits: 3

Psychology

PSY 101 - General Psychology Credits: 3

Social Sciences

3 credits in one of the following areas:

ANT 101 - Introduction to Anthropology Credits: 3
OR
EC 102 - Principles of Economics II Credits: 3
OR
PS 111 - Introduction to American Government Credits: 3
OR
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3

Visual and Performing Arts

3 credits in one of the following areas:

ART 101 - Experiencing Art Credits: 3
OR
ART 140 - History of Art I Credits: 3
OR
DAN 100 - Dance Appreciation: Comprehensive Dance Forms Credits: 3
OR
MUS 101 - Introduction to Music I Credits: 3
OR
THE 100 - Approach to Theatre Credits: 3
OR
IM 101 - Integrative Media Foundations I Credits: 3

1. Complete the Following Education Courses

(All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted). Students must follow the requirements for all coursework as set forth in the Student Acknowledgement of Grade Point Average (GPA) and Test of Basic Skills (TBS) Policy of the Wilkes University Education Department

ED 190 - Effective Teaching with Field Experience Credits: 3 (40-hours of field experience)
ED 191 - Integrating Technology into The Classroom Credits: 3 (C.I. course).
EDSP 210 - Teaching Students with Special Needs Credits: 3 (Honors designation available)
ED 220 - Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners Credits: 3 (Honors designation available)
EDSP 225 - Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities with Field Experience Credits: 3 (30-hours of field experience) (Cross List with EDSP 501)
EDSP 250 - Health, Pe, Adapted Phys. Ed, & Safety Credits: 3
EDSP 263 - Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children with Special Needs Credits: 3 (30-hours of field experience)
ED 264 - Child Development and Cognition – Classroom Application Credits: 3 (30-hours of field experience)

NOTE:

Students must meet all the requirements for and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program to proceed to all 300-level Education courses.

Students should regularly consult with their academic advisors and the Education Department for any changes or considerations. The Education Department maintains specific advising checklists and policy documents to help guide students in their respective programs.

ED 321 - Literacy Foundations I Credits: 3 (30 hours of field experience)
ED 322 - Literacy Foundations II Credits: 3
ED 323 - Differentiated Reading Credits: 3
ED 324 - Children’s Literature Credits: 3 (Honors designation available)
ED 325 - Applied Reading Strategies Credits: 3 (15 hours of field experience; Prerequisite: ED 321 )
ED 330 - Mathematics in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3
ED 341 - Language Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3 (OPO course)
ED 344 - Assessment in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3 (This course is replaced by EDSP 300 , Assessment in Special Education, for students completing dual certification in PK-4 and Special Education.)
ED 345 - Assessment in Education Credits: 3 (Honors designation available)
ED 350 - The Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3
ED 360 - Social Studies in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3
EDSP 363 - Family, School, & Community Credits: 3 (This course is omitted for students completing dual certification in PK-4 and Special Education)
ED 370 - Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Credits: 3
ED 380 - Content Area Literacy Credits: 3
EDSP 388 - Inclusionary Practices Credits: 3 (taken in conjunction with ED 390 ) (Honors designation available)
ED 390 - Student Teaching With Seminar [Pk-4], [4-8], [7-12], and [K-12] Credits: 12 (12 credits; OPO course)