The early childhood education program prepares you for the State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License (PEL) in Early Childhood Education, which qualifies you to teach children from birth through second grade. It also includes an English as a Second Language endorsement and Early Childhood Special Education Approval. These additional credentials license you to teach English language learners and PK students with special needs.
This major earns a Bachelor in Science degree (120 hours). If a student chooses to earn a Bachelor in Arts degree, an additional 4 – 12 hours would be incurred.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| COM 103 | The Oral Communication Process | 3.0 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition | 3.0 |
| 3.0 |
| Advanced Writing--Exposition | |
| Advanced Writing - Argumentative Writing | |
| Advanced Writing: Travel Writing | |
| Advanced Writing--Research in Individual Discipline | |
| Advanced Writing--Technical Writing | |
| Advanced Writing--Business Communication | |
| ENG 311 | Introduction to Language | 3.0 |
| or ENG 312 | Grammar for Teaching |
| 6.0 |
| Art Appreciation | |
| Music Appreciation | |
| Introduction to Theatre | |
| 3.0 |
| HIS 203 | American History and Global Systems to 1877 | 3.0 |
| or HIS 204 | American History and Global Systems since 1877 |
| PLS 105 | Introduction to American Government | 3.0 |
| 4.0 |
| Science through Inquiry I: (Biology, Physics) | |
| Science through Inquiry I: Special Topics | |
| Science through Inquiry I: Molecules (Biology and Chemistry) | |
| Science through Inquiry I: Energy (Biology, Physics) | |
| Science through Inquiry I: Water (Biology, Chemistry) | |
| 3.0 |
| Introduction to Economics | |
| Principles of Microeconomics | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| 8.0 |
| 2.0 |
| EDU 100 | Technology Applications | 1.0 |
| EDU 107 | Conceptualizing Math for Teachers I | 3.0 |
| EDU 108 | Conceptualizing Math for Teachers II | 3.0 |
| EDU 115 | The History of Education in the United States | 3.0 |
| EDU 116 | Introductory Field Experience | 1.0 |
| EDU 120 | Early Childhood Professional Roles and Responsibilities | 3.0 |
| EDU 194 | Physical Education for P-6 Schools | 1.0 |
| EDU 196 | Fine Art in the P-6 Schools | 2.0 |
| EDU 210 | Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood | 3.0 |
| EDU 215 | Strategies for Effective Teaching | 3.0 |
| EDU 234 | Language Development | 3.0 |
| EDU 235 | Methods of Teaching English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 236 | Assessment of English Language Learners | 3.0 |
| EDU 237 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners I | 1.0 |
| EDU 240 | Practicum for Teaching English Learners Part 2 | 2.0 |
| EDU 260 | Children's Literature | 3.0 |
| EDU 270 | Physical Development and Health | 1.0 |
| EDU 280 | Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, And Communities | 3.0 |
| EDU 304 | Early Childhood Novice Teaching Experience | 4.0 |
| EDU 322 | Emergent Literacy: Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum | 3.0 |
| EDU 324 | Early Childhood Special Education Methods | 3.0 |
| EDU 328 | Early Childhood Methods | 6.0 |
| EDU 345 | Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Enviro Environments | 3.0 |
| EDU 443 | Early Childhood Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDU 497 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood | 12.0 |
| Total Hours | 120 |
Please note a minimum of 120 credit hours is required for baccalaureate degree completion.
Note: Early Childhood Education program has the English Language Learner endorsement and the Early Childhood Special Education Approval embedded in the 4-year program.
