Curriculum in Early Childhood Education

The curriculum in early childhood education is planned for students preparing to teach young children and work with their families. This program leads to careers in working with young children who are typically developing and those with special needs from birth through age eight. Graduates in this curriculum may teach in early childhood (preschool and primary) classrooms or home based programs, with emphasis on inclusive services; graduates may be employed by either public or private agencies including schools. This curriculum has been approved by the Iowa Department of Education and meets requirements for the early childhood education unified teacher license, which permits individuals to teach general and special education for children from birth through age eight. The program is jointly administered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction within the College of Education and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies within the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

For details concerning the professional teacher education requirements and admission to the undergraduate teacher education program, see Teacher Education, Courses and Programs.

English Proficiency

In order to meet graduation requirements, all students must earn a C (2.0) or better in Engl 104 and Engl 105.

U.S. Diversity and International Perspectives

In order to meet graduation requirements, all students must complete 3 credits of course work in U.S. Diversity and 3 credits in International Perspectives. See department advising office for approved lists of courses.

Foreign Language Requirement

Early childhood education majors must satisfy a graduation requirement equivalent to the first year of university-level study in one foreign language (normally, completion of a two-semester sequence in any one foreign language). The requirement may be met by completion of three or more years of high school study in one foreign language.

Students who have completed three or more years of French, German, or Spanish in high school may not receive graded credit for 101-102 in those languages; test-out credit (T credit) may be obtained by passing an appropriate examination or by completing an advanced sequence (200-level or higher) in that language. If these students choose to take 101-102 on a remedial basis, they will be graded S-F. Certification in American Sign Language is recognized by the University and satisfies the foreign language requirement for the curriculum in Early Childhood Education.