Early Childhood Education, B.A.

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The College of Education offers an undergraduate major in Early Childhood Education that prepares future teachers for teaching children birth through age eight and offers two study track options. Students successfully completing the degree program in either Option 1 (licensure) or 2 (non-licensure) obtain a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Students in Option 1 earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a teaching license. Students in Option 2 earn a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education but are not able to apply for a teaching license. All students in this program (Option 1 and Option 2) must complete 49-52 hours in General Education coursework, 60 hours in Professional Education coursework, and 18 hours in Teacher Specialization coursework (ESL) to meet the 120 minimum credit hours for graduation. Both options require over 200 hours of clinical experience in the field.

Option 1 is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education(ISBE) for recommendation of Initial Licensure in Early Childhood Birth - 2nd Grade by entitlement. Students completing this option may also obtain the Early Childhood Special Education Approval on their license. Four courses required for this approval are offered in the program: EDEC-3580 , EDEC-4550 /EDEC-4551 , EDEC-4560 /EDEC-4561 , and EDEC-4570 . Students completing this program may also obtain an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement with their license through an ISBE evaluation of their transcript. Six courses required for this approval are offered in the program: BBED-4501 , BBED-4520 , BBED-4525 , BBED-4530 , BBED-4538 , and BBED-4977 .

Students must meet other requirements for licensure; these are listed in the Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals section of the catalog.

Program Requirements

Program Admission

After meeting the university admission requirements, students must meet the following requirements to continue in the Early Childhood Education program:

be admitted to Governors State University and be in good academic standing;
present transcripts showing a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate work attempted from a 2 or 4 year institution;
must have a grade of “C” or better in all general education courses used for program requirements;
must have attained a grade of “B” or better in identified transferable teacher education courses. Identified courses must have been taken within six years of admission to GSU;
earn a grade of “B” or better in the following courses: EDUC-2310 EDUC-2330 ;
earn a grade of “B” or better in the following course taken at GSU: EDEC-3099 ;
submit the GSU approved Criminal Background Check and FERPA training prior to initial field experience in the schools. Some assigned field site locations may, due to state licensing, require students to submit a brief physical exam, including a TB test, as well as a finger print background check;
demonstrate professional dispositions through interview with faculty/staff;

Program Retention

To remain in the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Maintain a GPA of 2.75 or better in all General Education coursework, earning a grade of “C” or better in all courses
Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Professional Education coursework, earning a grade of ‘B’ or better in all courses
Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Teaching Specialization coursework, earning a grade of ‘B’ or better in all courses
Complete all course work at Governors State University within five calendar years;
Receive a positive recommendation from the Early Childhood Education faculty to continue in the program.
Remain in positive progression via the Early Childhood Education student progress committee
Earn satisfactory scores on assessments of professional dispositions. Exhibit expected dispositions.
Successfully complete all key assessments and field placements
Maintain up-to-date Criminal Background Checks, FERPA, and any other trainings

Program Portfolio

The Program Portfolio is a selection of examples of candidate work (artifacts) that is organized according to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and the Standards for Licensure in Early Childhood Education and the Association of Childhood Education International Standards. Throughout the program, candidates choose artifacts to include in their portfolios, write reflections, and receive evaluations of their artifacts and reflections.

Student Progress

The faculty monitors and evaluates candidate progress continually. The section, Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals, in this catalog provides a general description of the standards used to evaluate candidate progress. A more detailed statement of the standards and processes followed by the Early Childhood Education faculty is available in the Undergraduate Early Childhood Education Student Handbook.

Conditional Continuation

The faculty may permit a candidate to continue conditionally. In such cases, faculty reviews of the candidate’s records identify evidence that the candidate will likely be successful in the program. The status of all candidates allowed to continue under conditions is reviewed by the faculty each semester, and the candidates are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. When conditions are met, the candidate is informed in writing of the transfer to good standing status. A candidate may not be admitted to student teaching without being in good standing status.

Admission to Student Teaching (Option 1) or Practicum (Option 2)

Before enrolling in student teaching or practicum, candidates must:

Complete at least 49-52 hours of General Education requirements with a G.P.A. of 2.75 or higher (for courses taken at GSU) with a grade of “C” or better in each course;
Complete all Professional Education course requirements with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, with a grade of “B” or better in each course
Complete all coursework (BBED courses) in the Teaching Specialization (ESL) with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, with a grade of “B” or better in each course
Complete and document a minimum of 100 clock-hours of pre-student teaching field experiences;
Receive a positive recommendation from Early Childhood Education faculty.
For Option 1 only: verify successful completion of the Early Childhood Content Area (107) Exam of the Illinois Certification Testing System

Option 1 candidates: A student teaching application certifying that the first six of these requirements have been met must be submitted to the Coordinator of Field Experiences by the provided deadline. Candidates should work with their Program Advisors in preparing this application.

Option 2 candidates: Finding a placement for practicum and either taking or registering for EDEC4820 must be completed the semester before starting practicum.

NOTE: Student teaching is not offered during the summer session. Practicum may or may not be offered during the summer session.

Degree Requirements (GSU)

Candidates must meet all university requirements for a Bachelor’s degree, except candidates must complete the 49-52 hour General Education Requirement for Teacher Licensure instead of the University General Education Requirement.

Candidates must also:

Attain a GPA of 2.75 or better in all General Education coursework, earning a grade of “C” or better in all courses
Attain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Professional Education coursework, earning a grade of ‘B’ or better in all courses
Attain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Teaching Specialization coursework, earning a grade of ‘B’ or better in all courses
Complete all course work at Governors State University within five calendar years;
Receive a positive recommendation from the Early Childhood Education faculty
Earn satisfactory scores on assessments of professional dispositions. Exhibit expected dispositions.
Maintain satisfactory candidate progress as defined in the Early Childhood Education Program Handbook.
Successfully complete all key assessments and field placements.
Successfully complete Program Portfolio
Receive a positive rating on Summative Student Teaching Evaluation with a grade of “B’ or better

Licensure Requirements - ISBE (Option 1)

In addition to the degree requirements listed, in order to obtain a teaching license and any endorsements, candidates are responsible for submitting all documentation to ISBE. Some requirements include:

Complete and document 300 hours of field experience
Complete and document coursework and earned grades
Successfully complete student teaching, earning a grade of “B” or better
Pass all state required exams including the Illinois Assessment of Professional Teaching
Pass the edTPA portfolio
Earn a passing score on the EC Content Area Exam 107, prior to student teaching

Degree Requirements

General Education Requirement for Options 1 and 2 (49-52 Hours)

Course work acceptable for meeting these requirements must be college level work and may not include remedial courses even if college credit is granted. Generally, this course work must be at the 1000-level or higher and applicable toward a degree at the institution providing the instruction. Courses with grades below “C” will not be accepted toward the degree. The courses should be taken at the lower-division level.

The General Education requirements listed below meet the criteria towards a degree from Governors State University and the criteria for a teaching license from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Math: 6 hours
Science: 10 hours (3 life, 3 earth, 3 physical, 1 lab)
- Life Science: Biology
- Earth Science: Astronomy, Geography, Geology
- Physical Science: Chemistry, Physics
- Science Lab: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Written communication: 6 hours
Oral communication/speech: 3 hours
Health: 3 hours
World Geography: 3 hours
Psychology: 3 hours
American Government: 3 hours
U.S. History: 3 hours
Interdisciplinary Humanities: 3 hours
Literature: 3 hours
- Children’s Literature
Fine Arts: 3 hours
*Non-Western Humanities or Third World Culture: 3 hours (only if not counted elsewhere)

NOTE:

At least one three-credit course must be taken in non-Western or Third World cultures from either humanities or social science.

Coursework for Early Childhood Education - Option 1

Professional Education Coursework for Option 1 (60 Hours)

The following courses should be taken at the upper-division level:

Teacher Specialization Coursework (ESL) for Option 1 (18 Hours)

NOTE:

Option 1 incorporates at least 100 clock-hours of clinical experience required for Illinois State teacher licensure, prior to student teaching.

Coursework for Early Childhood Education - Option 2

Professional Course Work Requirement for Option 2 (60 Hours)

The following courses should be taken at the upper-division level:

Teacher Specialization Coursework for Option 2 (18 Hours)

NOTE:

*Note: Option 2 incorporates at least 100 clock-hours of clinical experience prior to practicum.

Academic Advising

The Division of Education provides professional academic advisors to serve the needs of all of its candidates. Your program’s academic advisor is the ideal first contact for:

Individuals considering transfer into this degree program.
Newly admitted candidates who need to develop a plan of study, including evaluation of transfer credits.
Continuing candidates who have questions or comments on program policies, procedures, and requirements individuals considering transfer into this degree program.

Academic Advisor: Eileen Lally, 708.534.4399, elally@govst.edu