Chair and Associate Professor: Dr. Atkins, 450-3172
Professors: Dr. Cooper
Associate Professors: Dr. Feng, Dr. Filer, Dr. Kohler-Evans
Assistant Professors: Dr. Barnes, Dr. Crow, Dr. Oslick, Dr. Pearson
Clinical Instructor II: Ms. Barnes, Mr. Barrington, Ms. Herrington
Clinical Instructor I: Ms. Cain, Ms. Dallas, Ms. Greenland
Child Study Center Instructors: Ms. Payne, Ms. Rowell, Ms. Storment

[1] Departmental Purposes

The primary purposes of the department are to (a) prepare novice teachers with entry-level skills that will allow them to develop into competent professionals, (b) prepare experienced professionals with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to assume leadership roles in schools and other agencies and organizations whose principal functions relate to P-12 schooling, (c) provide service to agencies and organizations that interface with P-12 schools and the preparation of teachers and other educators, and (d) advance the knowledge and practice of teaching and schooling through scholarly and creative activities.

All programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

[2] The Honors Program

To earn an honors degree, the following conditions must be met:

1. Consent of the chair of the department
2. 3.00 grade point average on all work attempted
3. Successful completion of ECSE 2303

[3] Baccalaureate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education

The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Early Childhood Education (P-4). The performance based undergraduate program in early childhood education is designed to prepare candidates for positions as teachers in grades P-4. Upon completion of the program, candidates are expected to (a) understand and apply knowledge related to the social, historical, and philosophical foundations of early childhood education; (b) know the way young children learn and develop; (c) understand language acquisition, cultural influences on learning, exceptionalities, diverse student populations, inclusion and equity in classrooms and schools; (d) integrate technology into instruction and learning; (e) use research and developmentally appropriate practices in their teaching; and (f) know the roles and responsibilities of the profession of teaching.

[3.1] Major in Early Childhood Education, P-4 (126 hours + EDUC 1240 if needed)

Follow this link for Admission to Teacher Education/Retention/Licensure information [link updated 2015-11-21].

General education. 47 semester hours. Requires the completion of the general education component (see General Education Program in this bulletin). GEOG 1305, HIST 2301 or 2302, MATH 1390, PHYS 1400, and PSCI 1330 should be selected because these courses fulfill both general education requirements and program requirements.

Professional education. 59 semester hours: ECSE 3300, 3301, 4307, 4309, 4311, 4315, 4316, 4318, 4319, 4320, 4330, 4331, 4603, 4604; EDUC 1240 (or technology competency exam), 1300, 3309, 3320, 4210. EDUC 1240 (or technology competency exam) and 1300 and ECSE 3300 must be completed prior to admission to the teacher education program.

Academic Content requirements. 22 semester hours. ART 4260, ENGL 3310, HIST 3310, KPED 3220, MATH 3351 and 4310, MUS 3251, SCI 4410. In addition, MATH 1390 and PHYS 1400 must be taken if not completed as part of the general education requirements.

Related requirements. GEOG 1305, HIST 2301 or 2302, PSCI 1330.

Special Education Block. P-4 teacher education candidates can select to extend their preparation to include the area of special education. The optional program is an additional 12 hour semester including ECSE 4321, 4322, 4323, 4324.

Delivery of courses. With the exception of the general education courses, ECSE 3300, ECSE 3301, EDUC 1240, EDUC 1300, and EDUC 3309, MATH 3351, MATH 4310, and HIST 3310, all requirements must be completed after admission to the teacher education program. Several courses are scheduled to form blocks, and these courses must be taken simultaneously. Ideally the specialized academic content courses must be taken prior to entry into Junior Block. Junior Block: ECSE 4307, 4309, 4311, 4315, 4330, and EDUC 4210 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences on Tuesday, 8:00-2:00.  All Junior Block courses and requirements must be successfully completed before entering Internship I. Internship I: ECSE 4316, 4318, 4319, 4320, and 4331 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences on Tuesdays from 8:00-4:00 and Thursdays from 8:00-12:00. All program courses (i.e. General Education, Professional Education, Academic Content, Internship I courses and requirements, and related courses) and the Praxis II Content Exam must be successfully completed before entering Internship II.  Internship II: ECSE 4603, 4604, with daily field experiences, 8:00-4:00. Special Education Optional Block: ECSE 4321, 4322, 4323, and 4324 must be taken during the same semester with field experiences on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. All Junior Block classes and requirements, and when appropriate Internship I classes and requirements, must be successfully completed before entering Special Education Block.

[4] Courses in Education (EDUC)

Follow this link to descriptions for EDUC courses: course link.

[5] Courses in Early Childhood Education (ECSE)

Follow this link for ECSE course descriptions: course link.

[6] Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Degree Alignment with Early Childhood Education (P-4) Degree Plan

Follow this link for AAT/P-4 program alignment: [Dead link removed 2015-11-21; consult the Department of Elementary, Literacy, and Special Education.]