Early Childhood Education with Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (B.S.)
Individuals who complete this dual certification program will be eligible for the New Hampshire Department of Education teacher certification in Early Childhood (Brith-Age 8) and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 8). Additionally, completion of this degree qualifies individuals for the New Hampshire Child Development Bureau, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Credential. The Early Childhood certification will prepare individuals to teach children in public schools beginning at the nursery school level to Grade 3, and Early Childhood Special Education certification will prepare individuals to work with infants, toddlers and children who are at risk of being identified as needing special education services or who are already identified as needing special education services.
This is a field-based program for qualified participants working or volunteering in approved programs or education settings. The key components of this program include mentorship of the teacher candidates by highly skilled professionals in the field, the hands-on experience of working with children in educational settings, and the opportunity to build your teaching capacity over time. Graduates of this program will be eligible for certification and highly qualified in both early childhood and early childhood special education.
Degree Requirements
Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at Granite State College
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for conferral
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Requirements General Education Requirements | Credit Hours 40 |
| Requirements Major Requirements | Credit Hours 57 |
| Requirements Open Electives | Credit Hours 23 |
| Requirements Total | Credit Hours 120 |
General Education Requirements
A minimum grade of C is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only one overlap being utilized between the Major and Minor.
All General Education requirements, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking (4 s.h.) and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar (4 s.h.), must be taken prior to the capstone.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 500 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COMM 542 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COMM 543 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Math for Our World | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Pre-Calculus | ||
| PSY 509 | Human Development | 4 |
| Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World | 4 | |
| Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression | 4 | |
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDIS 601 | Interdisciplinary Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Major Requirements
A minimum grade of C is required in all Major coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only one overlap being utilized between the Major and Minor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Early Childhood Education and Special Ed | ||
| EDU 550 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| PSY 508 | Child Development | 4 |
| MATH 504 | Statistics | 4 |
| Declaration of Candidacy Form Required 1 | ||
| Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Exam Required 2 | ||
| Introductory Level Education Courses | ||
| EDU 622 | Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements | 1 |
| EDU 621 | Special Education Law | 4 |
| EDU 602 | Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth-Age 8 | 4 |
| EDU 606 | The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator | 4 |
| Intermediate Level Education Courses | ||
| EDU 624 | Assessment of Young Children in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education, Birth-Age 8 | 4 |
| EDU 627 | Collaboration, Consultation, and Teaming In Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education | 4 |
| EDU 628 | IFSPs, IEPs, and Transition Planning, Birth-Age 8 | 2 |
| EDU 630 | Behavior Interventions for Young Children in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education | 4 |
| Advanced Level Education Courses | ||
| EDU 610A | Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education | 6 |
| EDU 625S | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Ed | 4 |
| EDU 626 | Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction in Early Childhood and Early Childhood SPED, Birth-Age 8 | 4 |
| EDU 651 | Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 57 | |
- 1
Required prior to beginning the last 60 credits of degree program
- 2
Passing Praxis Core Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDU 622 Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements (1 s.h.)
Electives
Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, concentration or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree.
State Certification Requirements
The following requirements must be completed in order to be recommended to the state for Teacher Certification:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state certification
- Praxis Core Academic Skills For Educators Exam required. Passing Praxis Core Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDU 622 Introduction to Field Experience and Program Requirements (1 s.h.)
- Praxis II-EC Education of Young Children Exam required. Students must attempt to pass Praxis II exam prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar. Passing exam scores are required for state certification.
- Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam required. Passing Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam Scores must be submitted prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar.