Early Childhood-6th Grade Education
Bachelor of Science in Education – Early Childhood - 6th Grade
Prepare for a career teaching early childhood through grade 6 with a degree in early childhood education by participating in integrated coursework blocks and field-based instructional applications in both public and private schools. In this program you will learn to teach in diverse early childhood settings, which includes supporting students with special needs and second language learners.
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The BS in Early Childhood-6th Grade Education will equip you with the skills to create culturally relevant curriculum and innovative learning environments, and to motivate and manage your own classroom. Student experiences include both educational theory and practice. You will take a range of course work including:
- Child Development
- Educational Psychology
- Assessment and classroom management
- Early childhood curriculum courses in mathematics, social studies, reading and science
As an Early Childhood Education major, you will choose from two certification area options:
- Generalist EC-6 with English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education – This option is designed for students who plan to teach in diverse early childhood settings (kindergarten through 6th grade) including English as a second language classrooms, and with students who may have special needs, both in self-contained and general education settings. This degree path leads to three Texas teaching certificates. Students must pass the TExES EC-6 Generalist Core Subjects Exam, TExES Special Education Supplemental Exam, and TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental exam.
- Generalist EC-6 with Bilingual Education and Special Education – This option is designed for students who wish to teach in elementary, bilingual (Spanish) settings, working with children in kindergarten through 6th grade. Students also complete coursework and fieldwork experiences that lead to a Texas Special Education Supplemental teaching certificate. Students wishing to pursue this degree option must demonstrate their proficiency in Spanish as a condition for admission to the College of Education. This degree path leads to three Texas teaching certificates. Students must pass the TExES EC-6 Generalist Core Subjects certification examinations, including the Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test.
In addition to traditional coursework, you will also gain extensive experience in schools with diverse student populations:
- Field-based experiences begin your first semester. You will visit classrooms and observe teachers at local schools to better understand what it takes to be a teacher in diverse educational settings. You will be able to connect with teachers, school administrators, parents and students.
- Volunteer at one of our lab schools. You will have the opportunity to volunteer and work with children with special needs and learning differences at our on-campus laboratory schools — Starpoint and KinderFrogs.
- In your final semester, you will participate in full-time clinical (student) teaching. During this time, you will be fully engaged as a co-teacher in a local public or private school. With the guidance of your mentor teacher and supervisor, you will gain firsthand experience managing a classroom, large and small group teaching, lesson planning, and motivating your students to learn. You also have the option to teach abroad for three weeks.