Childhood/Early Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 6), B.A.

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This B.A. in Childhood/Early Childhood Education is a combined major designed to allow students to earn an undergraduate degree leading to two initial NYS certifications; Birth to Grade 2 and Grades 1 to Grade 6. Students complete coursework and field experiences which provide opportunities for developing knowledge about the teaching profession and how to effectively teach young children.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Childhood/Early Childhood Education B.A. candidates will be able to:

   • demonstrate the ability to develop an interdisciplinary learning segment that incorporates various learning modalities that support early childhood learning.
   • deliver a presentation which demonstrates proficiency in analyzing a world culture or a global issue impacting society that will promote P-6 students’ abilities to gain an understanding of the culturally diverse world in which they live.
   • demonstrate the ability to develop and teach a data driven learning segment based upon P-6 student work samples which represent various patterns of learning.
   • plan and use developmentally appropriate materials, activities, instructional strategies and technology in their daily lesson plans for P-12 learners.

Program Requirements

Education Major: 52 Credits

All courses noted and require a 2.7 in each course. Education courses (EDLS and EDUC courses) require a minimum grade of 2.7 or above, therefore these courses will not satisfy the requirement if students elect the S/P/U grading option. Students must earn a minimum grade of 2.0 in required Arts & Science and Specialization courses and therefore, an “S” grade will satisfy the requirement.

Required Courses: 10 Credits

EDLS 201 - Principles of Education 0-3 Credit(s) (taken for 3 credits)
EDLS 207 - Early Childhood Literacy 4 Credit(s)
EDUC 303 - Creative and Sensory Experience in Young Children B to 2 3 Credit(s)

Professional Block I: 14 Credits

(prerequisite to Block II)

EDLS 306 - Literacy Foundations 3 Credit(s)
EDLS 314 - Teaching Students With Special Needs Grades Birth to 6 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 308 - Pre Student Teaching Field Experience1 Grades PreK to 6 1 Credit(s)
EDLS 320 - Education Research Assessment And Evaluation 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 411 - Foundations of Classroom Behavior for Childhood and Early Childhood PK to 6 3 Credit(s)

Professional Block II: 14 Credits

(prerequisite to student teaching)

EDUC 310 - Childhood and Early Childhood Mathematics Methods PK to 6 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 312 - Childhood and Early Childhood Social Studies Methods PK to 6 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 407 - Integrated Literacy 3 Credit(s)
EDUC 408 - Pre Student Teaching Field Experience 2 Grades PreK to 6 2 Credit(s)
EDUC 409 - Childhood and Early Childhood Science Methods PK to 6 3 Credit(s)

Student Teaching Semester: 14 Credits

EDLS 414 - Student Teaching Seminar 2 Credit(s)
SECD 455 - Student Teaching 6 Credit(s) and
SECD 456 - Student Teaching 6 Credit(s)
or
SECD 485 - Student Teaching 12 Credit(s)

Certification Requirements

New York State Teacher Certification Examinations required for Initial Certification.
Fingerprinting Clearance.

Concentration Requirements: 52 Credits

All courses in the Arts and Sciences concentration must be completed with a 2.0 or higher.

Please note: Potsdam Pathway courses may be fulfilled with major requirements, but additional Pathways courses may be required. Seek guidance from your adviser.

Arts and Sciences Concentration

Specialization Areas: 15-19 Credits

All Childhood/Early Childhood Education majors must select one of the following Specialization Areas. Contact the Department of the specialization area of your choice to declare, be assigned a specialization area adviser and select appropriate courses. Each course in the specialization area must be completed with a 2.0 or higher.

English Specialization

Mathematics Specialization

Biology Specialization

Chemistry Specialization

Geology Specialization

Physics Specialization

Social Science/History Specialization

Note(s)

Additional credits are needed to fulfill Potsdam Pathways and College requirements
Some courses have required Prerequisites
Perform satisfactory on Disposition Form
Childhood/Early Childhood Education Policies can be found at www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/education/advising/CEC/.

Grade Requirements:

2.7 or higher required grade in each Education course (EDUC & EDLS courses).  Grades of S/P/U will not satisfy this requirement.
2.0 or higher required grade in Arts & Science courses (Math, Science, English, History, etc…) A grade of “S” will satisfy this requirement.

Gate Requirements:

3.0 or higher overall GPA (initial requirement for admission into an Education program set by SUNY)
Transition: 2.5 or higher overall GPA to remain in the Childhood/Early Childhood Education major prior to entering Block I
3.0 or higher overall GPA required to enter Block I, Block II and Student Teaching
3.0 or higher GPA in Education major required to Student Teach (EDLS and EDUC courses)