Early Childhood (PreK-3rd Grade)

Early Childhood major objectives:

(1) Exhibit an understanding of the developmental needs of young children;

(2) Select appropriate materials for specific age groups;

(3) Meet the educational needs of students with unique demands;

(4) Demonstrate competency in the various methods of teaching reading, including phonics, whole language, and other approaches;

(5) Demonstrate competency in the teaching of elementary mathematics; and

(6) Implement training and/or theory with practical experiences in at least two different classroom settings.

Requirements: 142 hours, with a 2.75 g.p.a. overall, in all majors for licensure, and the Professional Education Core, which is required for admission to the program, admission to Student Teaching, graduation, and licensure. Otherwise, a minimum 2.00 g.p.a. is required in each segment of the degree.

(1) Theological Studies Major, 32 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902, 3101, 4101. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 6 (for content purposes, these    courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• PHL 3602. Christian Philosophy, 3 (for content purposes, this course is shared w/ the A/S Core)
• THE 3101. Christian Doctrines, 3
• THE 3102. Christian Ethics, 3
• BIB Elective, 3 (must be at the 4000 level)
  (NOTE: If a 2.75 g.p.a. is obtained in this major, the student may receive licensure in Bible.)

(2) Arts and Sciences Core, 38 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE Activity Elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3
• SSC 3101. Marriage and Family, 3

(3) Professional Education Core, 26 hours:

• EDU 2001. Introduction to Education, 2
• EDU 2102.  Educational Psychology, 2
• EDU 3412. Classroom Management, 2
• EDU 4002. Teaching Strategies for the EL and Regular Classroom, 3
• EDU 4201. School Assessment, 2
• EDU 4401. History and Philosophy of Education, 2
• EDU 4450. Introduction to Student Teaching, 1
• EDU 4500. Student Teaching Seminar, 2
• EDU 4650. Enhanced Student Teaching: PreK-3, 10

(4) Early Childhood Major, 34 hours:

     (a) Concentration in Early Childhood, 17 hours:

• PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3
• ECE 2702. Creative Development, 2
• ECE 3251. Administering Children’s Programs, 3
• ECE 3411. Infants and Toddlers, 3
• ECE 3512. Teaching Young Children, 3
• EDU 3801. Teaching the Exceptional Child, 3

     (b) Content Area Focus in Reading and Mathematics, 17 hours:

• LSC 3012. Literature for Children Through Elementary and Middle Grades, 2
• MAT 2011, 2022. Mathematics Concepts I, II, 6 (for content purposes, these courses are shared with the A/S Core)
• EDU 3601. Methods of Teaching Reading, 3
• EDU 4111. Language Arts Instruction, 3
• EDU 4332. Content Area Reading/Writing, 3

(5) Emphasis in EL, 12 hours (24 total hours counted in this course group for content purposes)

• ICS 2202. Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3
• LNG xxxx. Modern Foreign Language,  6
• EDU 4012. Introduction to Linguistics and Second-language Acquisition, 3

     The following courses are shared with the Professional Ed. Core and Early Childhood Major:

• EDU 3601. Methods of Teaching Reading, 3
• EDU 3801. Teaching the Exceptional Child, 3
• EDU 4002. Teaching Strategies for the EL and Regular Classroom, 3
• EDU 4111. Language Arts Instruction, 3

Designed for those who desire to work with young children in childcare facilities or as an instructional aide, this program places emphasis on early childhood development and working with young learners. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will qualify for the certificate for early childhood.

In addition to meeting the specific objectives stated elsewhere for Theological Studies Major, Arts and Sciences Core, and the Professional Education Core, the graduate will also meet specific Early Childhood major objectives:

(1) Exhibit an understanding of the developmental needs of young children;

(2) Select appropriate materials for specific age groups;

(3) Meet the educational needs of students with unique demands; and

(4) Work with teachers in the educational program of young children.

Requirements: 65 hours, with a C average (2.00 g.p.a.) overall and in all segments of the degree.

(1) Theological Studies, 16 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 2 (for content purposes, this course is shared with the A/S)

(2) Arts and Sciences, 25 hours:

• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• MAT 2011. Math Concepts I, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE Activity Elective, 3

(3) Concentration in Early Childhood, 24 hours:

• ECE 2411. Infants and Toddlers, 3
• ECE 2512. Teaching Young Children, 3
• ECE 2702. Creative Development, 2
• EDU 2001. Introduction to Education, 2
• EDU 2412. Classroom Management, 2
• EDU 3801. The Exceptional Child, 3
• EDU 4111. Language Arts Instruction, 3
• PHE 3503. Psychomotor Development of Children, 3
• PSY 2402. Lifespan Development, 3

This two-year program is recommended for those who plan to enter any area of teaching. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared for admission into the teaching program of their choice. This will fulfill requirements of the Tennessee Promise, or other similar scholarships, which require a student be enrolled in an Associate’s program. Currently the only Associate’s program in Teacher Education is the Associate of Science in Early Childhood (ASEC). In addition to meeting the specific objectives stated elsewhere for Theological Studies Major, Arts and Sciences Core, and the Professional Education Core, the graduate will also meet specific objectives for the certificate in foundations of teaching:

(1) Students will acquire skills in the foundations of teaching;

(2) Students will learn to select and use appropriate resources for teaching; and

(3) Students will be able to plan and teach lessons with guidance.

All graduates of this program should have accomplished the following:

(1) Completed the basic courses in Theological Studies;

(2) Completed most of the required Arts and Sciences Core;

(3) Completed the two introductory courses in Teacher Education; and

(4) Met the requirements of PRAXIS I for Admission to Teacher Education.

Requirements: 64 hours, with a 2.75 g.p.a. overall. Otherwise, a minimum 2.00 g.p.a. is required in each segment of the degree.

(1) Theological Studies, 16 hours:

• BIB 1100. Introduction to Biblical Studies, 2
• BIB 1250. Evangelism and Discipleship, 2
• BIB 1011, 1031, 2032, 2062. Bible Survey, 10
• IDS 1902. Christianity, Culture, and Worldview, 2 (for content purposes, these courses are shared with the A/S Core)

(2) Arts and Sciences Core, 38 hours:

• BIO 1001, 1011. Systems in Biological Science and Lab, 4
• BUS 1150. Microcomputer Applications, 0
• ENG 1111, 1122. Grammar and Composition I, II, 6
• ENG 2111, 2122. Masterpieces of World Literature I, II, 6
• HIS 1011, 1022. History of Western Civilization I, II, 6
• IDS 1501. Leadership and Calling: Personal Development and Leadership Principles, 2
• IDS 2102. Foundations for Civic Engagement, 2
• MAT 1101. College Algebra, 3
• MUS 1002. Music Introduction and Appreciation, 3
• PHE 2100. Lifetime Fitness and PHE Activity Elective, 3
• SPE 1000. Fundamentals of Speech, 3

(3) Teacher Education, 4 hours:

• EDU 2001. Introduction to Education, 2
• EDU 2102.  Educational Psychology, 2

(4) General electives, 6 hours