Early Childhood Education: K-3 Education Concentration, Bachelor of Science
Students completing a major in Early Childhood Education with Director Qualification & K-3 Licensure are required to complete a minor in education and meet all other requirements outlined by the Teacher Education Program.
Requirements for admission and retention in teacher education are included in the description of the Teacher Education Program in this catalog and in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Students must receive a grade of C or greater in all courses listed as requirements; a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.500 in courses completed in the major at CSU Pueblo is required for admission to student teaching.
The early childhood education program at CSU Pueblo is focused on teaching children from birth through age 8. We offer two four-year degree programs (both bachelor of science): one with Director Qualification and one with K-3 licensure. Students will acquire a strong foundation in child development and education through a combination of engaging courses and practical field work.
Program Goals
At CSU Pueblo, teacher education is a campus-wide responsibility, and overall program goals reflect components of both a breadth and depth of knowledge of the liberal arts and the pedagogical skills to transform this knowledge into curriculum and instruction for young children.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, students will:
- Acquire a broad knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences including an understanding of the significant ideas, concepts, structures and values within disciplines and mastering content knowledge in all areas taught in early childhood education: the arts, math, literature and language, social sciences, sciences, and child development and learning.
- Construct knowledge through critical and analytical thinking, independent thinking, reasoned judgment, mature values, and imagination.
- Communicate knowledge by effectively writing in academic and practical formats, speaking in a variety of settings, and utilizing technology as a tool for communication.
- Apply knowledge by using multiple representations and explanations of disciplinary concepts; using different viewpoints, theories, “ways of knowing,’ and methods of inquiry in the teaching of subject matter content; evaluating curriculum for comprehensiveness, accuracy, and usefulness; engaging students in generating knowledge and testing hypotheses through inquiry; developing and using curricula that encourage students to see and interpret ideas from diverse perspectives; and creating interdisciplinary learning experiences.
Outcomes Assessment Activities
The knowledge and skills of students in the Early Childhood Education major are assessed at three points in their program: admission to education, during the semester prior to the capstone term (student teaching or practicum), and at program completion. Assessment activities include the faculty’s review of:
- performance documented in students’ eportfolios;
- scores on standardized tests of general education and content knowledge;
- ratings of proficiency on program standards by PK-3 classroom teachers, University faculty, and student teacher or practicum supervisors based on direct observation;
- self-evaluations/ ratings of proficiency on program standards by program completers and graduates one year after teaching; and
- ratings of proficiency by PK-3 supervisors after graduates have been employed for one year.
Specific Program Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| General Education Skill Requirements: | ||
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| MATH 109 | Mathematical Explorations (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| General Education Knowledge Requirements: | ||
| ART 100 | Visual Dynamics (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| BIOL 100 | Principles of Biology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 100L | Principles of Biology Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| ENG 130 | Introduction to Literature (GT-AH2) | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Earth Science (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GEOL 101L | Earth Science Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3.0 |
| HIST 201 | U.S. History I (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| Major Requirements | ||
| ECE 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Ed | 3 |
| ECE 102 | Intro to ECE Lab Techniques | 3 |
| ECE 103 | Guidance Strat for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 111 | Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice | 3 |
| ECE 205 | Nutrition, Health and Safety | 3 |
| ECE 241 | Admin: Human Relations for ECE | 3 |
| ECE 350 | Programs for ECE | 3 |
| ECE 355 | Play & Creative Expression in ECE | 3 |
| ECE 420 | Involving Diverse Families in ECE | 3 |
| ECE 425 | Intro to EC Spec Ed | 3 |
| ECE 430 | Teaching Young CLD Children | 3 |
| ECE 460 | Managing ECE Classrooms | 2.00 |
| ED 351 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| MATH 360 | Elementary Mathematics Concepts I | 3 |
| MATH 361 | Elementary Mathematics Concepts II | 3 |
| MUS 118 | Music Appreciation (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| POLS 101 | American National Politics (GT-SS1) | 3.0 |
| RDG 355 | Linguistics for Educators | 3.0 |
| Minor Requirements | ||
| Education Minor requirements listed below. | 34 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |
Specific Requirements for Early Childhood Education
CSU Pueblo requires the student interested in Early Childhood Education to complete a major in Early Childhood Education (K-3 education concentration) and all of the courses listed below, which constitute a minor in Education.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED 202 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 280 | Educational Media and Technology | 3 |
| ED 301 | Frameworks of Teaching (Admission to Education is completed in this course) | 4 |
| ECE 461 | Teaching ECE Social Studies 1 | 2 |
| ECE 463 | Teaching ECE Math 1 | 2 |
| ECE 464 | Teaching ECE Science 1 | 2 |
| RDG 410 | Teaching Reading 1 | 3 |
| RDG 411 | Teaching Elementary Writing 1 | 2 |
| ECE 485 | Capstone in ECE 2 | 1 |
| ECE 486 | Student Teaching in ECE 2 | 12 |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
- 1
Admission to the School of Education required (e.g. cumulative GPA of 2.600, good standing, etc.).
- 2
Approved application for student teaching required.
Specific Requirements for Secondary & K-12 Education/Minor
The student must complete an appropriate major and the following Education courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | ||
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) 1 | 3 |
| or PSYC 251 | Childhood and Adolescence | |
| or PSYC 342 | Educational Psychology | |
| ED 202 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 280 | Educational Media and Technology 2 | 3 |
| ED 301 | Frameworks of Teaching (Admission to Education is completed in this course) | 4 |
| RDG 435 | Disciplinary Literacy 3, 5 | 4 |
| Special Methods in Education Areas (Prerequisites - Admission to Education) 5, 6 | 4 | |
| ED 412 | Teaching Diverse Learners 4, 5 | 3 |
| ED 485 | Capstone Seminar in Education | 1 |
| ED 488 | Student Teaching Secondary | 12 |
| or ED 489 | Student Teaching K-12 | |
| Total Credits 3 | 37-40 | |
- 1
Music students may take PSYC 151 Human Development (GT-SS3) (3 c.h.) or PSYC 251 Childhood and Adolescence (3 c.h.).
- 2
Music Education students may complete MUS 103 Music and Computer Technology I (1 c.h.) and MUS 306 Technology for Music Educators (2 c.h.) for ED 280 Educational Media and Technology (3 c.h.).
- 3
English/Language Arts student must also complete RDG 355 Linguistics for Educators (3 c.h.)
- 4
Physical Education students may complete EPER 465 Adapted Physical Education (3 c.h.) or ED 412 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 c.h.).
- 5
GPA of 2.6 required
- 6
English/Language Arts student must also complete ED 447 Teaching English in Secondary Schools (4 c.h.)
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
Note: Students are not allowed to count the same courses completed for general education requirements as course requirements in the Early Childhood Education major. In addition, students completing a major in Early Childhood Education with Director Qualification and K-3 Licensure are required to complete a minor in Education and meet all other requirements outlined by the Teacher Education Program.
*Courses must be taken at a Community College.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| ECE 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Ed | 3 |
| ECE 102 | Intro to ECE Lab Techniques | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| MATH 109 | Mathematical Explorations (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL 100 | Principles of Biology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 100L | Principles of Biology Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| ECE 103 | Guidance Strat for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 111 | Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECE 205 | Nutrition, Health and Safety | 3 |
| ECE 241 | Admin: Human Relations for ECE | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Earth Science (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GEOL 101L | Earth Science Lab (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| MATH 360 | Elementary Mathematics Concepts I | 3 |
| RDG 355 | Linguistics for Educators | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED 202 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 280 | Educational Media and Technology | 3 |
| ED 301 | Frameworks of Teaching | 4 |
| ED 351 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| MATH 361 | Elementary Mathematics Concepts II | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECE 350 | Programs for ECE | 3 |
| ECE 355 | Play & Creative Expression in ECE | 3 |
| ECE 420 | Involving Diverse Families in ECE | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| RDG 410 | Teaching Reading | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECE 425 | Intro to EC Spec Ed | 3 |
| ECE 430 | Teaching Young CLD Children | 3 |
| ECE 463 | Teaching ECE Math | 2 |
| ENG 130 | Introduction to Literature (GT-AH2) | 3 |
| POLS 101 | American National Politics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| RDG 411 | Teaching Elementary Writing | 2 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 100 | Visual Dynamics (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| ECE 460 | Managing ECE Classrooms | 2 |
| ECE 461 | Teaching ECE Social Studies | 2 |
| ECE 464 | Teaching ECE Science | 2 |
| HIST 201 | U.S. History I (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| MUS 118 | Music Appreciation (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECE 485 | Capstone in ECE | 1 |
| ECE 486 | Student Teaching in ECE | 12 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 122 | |