Early Childhood Education (BS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus, Manhattan Online

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The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is for students who wish to work in birth through kindergarten education programs in administrative or teaching positions, including work with parents and community resources as well as with young children with and without disabilities.

Students desiring to earn the Kansas teaching license in early childhood unified, birth through kindergarten must be admitted to teacher education to enroll in the required licensure track courses.

Bachelor’s degree requirements

Practicum courses

Before participating in practicum/lab courses involving contact with children, students must undergo a physical examination, including a tuberculosis test, at their own expense. Students must not have any physical or mental conditions that would interfere with the health, safety, or welfare of children.

Students will be screened by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for criminal and child abuse histories (through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Kansas Department for Children and Family Services). Students with questionable histories, as determined by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, will be dropped from the early childhood education program.

Student teaching

Enrollment in student teaching is by permission only. Student teaching may not be taken until the student has obtained full admission into teacher education and has completed ECED 543 , ECED 544 , ECED 553 , ECED 554 , ECED 555 .

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

K-State Core is the foundation for an impactful life and career after time at K-State.

The K-State Core framework covers six disciplinary areas: English, Communications, Mathematics & Statistics, Natural & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In addition, a seventh area is reserved for institutionally designated use, which K-State is keeping as free electives. In total, the framework takes up 34-35 credit hours of 100 and 200-level coursework. Students who complete their general education elsewhere cannot be required to take additional general education coursework in the disciplinary areas of the framework without permission from KBOR to continue requiring courses in the K-State Core.

General Education: K-State Core

Program Requirements: (80 credit hours)

If any of the following courses are applied towards K-State Core requirements, please consult your advisor on additional courses to meet the 120 hours.

Math Requirement

If not met through K-State Core requirements, MATH 160 is required.

KSC 030
MATH 160 - Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics Credits: 3

HHS Courses: (3 credit hours)

HHS 100 - Well-being 1: You and Community Credits: 1
HHS 200 - Well-being 2: Mind and Body Credits: 1
HHS 300 - Well-being 3: Money and Meaning Credits: 1

Professional Courses: (77 credit hours)

Teaching Field Courses require grades of C or higher and overall 2.75 GPA on all courses applied to degree. GPA is calculated from K-State and transfer courses. Teaching field courses include professional and track options.

ECED 210 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ECED 310 - Early Childhood Credits: 3 *
ECED 313 - Pre-Professional Experiences in Early Childhood Unified Credits: 1 *
ECED 420 - Interaction Techniques with Young Children Credits: 3 *
ECED 428 - Exceptional Development in Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECED 530 - Teaching & Learning in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ECED 531 - Developmental Curriculum in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ECED 566 - Emergent Literacy Credits: 3
ECED 597 - Home, School, and Community Partnerships Credits: 3
ECED 720 - Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECED 728 - Assessment of Young Children Credits: 3
EDSP 777 - Social Emotional Learning and Behavior Management Strategies Credits: 3
HDFS 110 - Introduction to Human Development Credits: 3
HDFS 250 - Interpersonal and Family Relationships Credits: 3

Track Courses: (22 credit hours)

Select one of the following tracks:

- Licensure

- Non-Licensure

Licensure Track**:

Student teaching: Enrollment in student teaching is by permission only. Student teaching may not be taken until student has obtained full admission into teacher education and has completed ECED 543 , ECED 544 , ECED 553 , ECED 554 , and ECED 555 .

ECED 543 - Reflective Practice: Infants and Toddlers Credits: 3 *
ECED 544 - Reflective Practice: Preschoolers and Kindergartners Credits: 3 *
ECED 553 - Early Childhood Practicum I: Infants and Toddlers Credits: 1 *
ECED 554 - Early Childhood Practicum II: Preschoolers Credits: 1 *
ECED 555 - Early Childhood Practicum III: Kindergartners Credits: 1 *
ECED 556 - Early Childhood Practicum 4: Home Visiting Credits: 1
ECED 598 - Student Teaching in Early Childhood Unified Credits: 9 ***
ECED 797 - Home Visiting Programs for Young Children and Families Credits: 3

Non-Licensure Track:

ECED 311 - Infant Toddler Development and Programs Credits: 3
ECED 312 - Infant Observation Lab Credits: 1 *
ECED 450 - Environments in Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECED 451 - Administering Early Childhood Programs Credits: 3
ECED 546 - Preschool Lab Credits: 2 *
ECED 588 - Applied Learning in Early Childhood Programs Credits: 7 ***
ECED 740 - Play Facilitation Credits: 3

Notes

*Physical exam and KBI/DCF clearance required.

**Admission to teacher’s education is required.

***First aid/CPR certification required before enrollment in ECED 588 and ECED 598 . This requirement can be met by successful completion of Red Cross or American Heart Association courses.

Kansas State University

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