The Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) provides preparation for teaching in preschool, kindergarten and primary grades. The Early Childhood certification permits teaching of grades PK – 3 in elementary schools in South Carolina.

Through coursework and field experiences, the early childhood education curriculum provides multiple opportunities for candidates to obtain the knowledge, skills and dispositions to meet the standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the South Carolina Department of Education.

General Education (48-49 hours)

• Communications – 9 or 10 hours
  • ENGL 101 – Analysis and Argument or ENGL 101E – Analysis and Argument w/ Ext. Studio/ENGL 101L – Extended Studio (3 or 4)
  • ENGL 102 – Rhetoric, Genre, and Research (3)
  • SPCO 101 – Basics of Oral Communication (3)
• Social Sciences – 9 hours
  • • Geography (elective) (3)
    • POLI 101 – United States Government or POLI 103 – Introduction to Political Science (3)
    • Additional three (3) hours chosen from economics, geography, political science, sociology, or Honors 250-259
• Humanities – 12 hours
  • Literature (elective) (3)
  • History (elective) (3)
  • ART 101 – Introduction to Art, MUSI 101 – Introduction to Music, or THEA 101 – Introduction to Theatre (6)
• Mathematics – 6 hours
  • MATH 170 – Sur/Math/For Early & Elem Teach I (3)
  • MATH 270 – Sur/Math/For Early & Elem Teach II (3)
• Natural Sciences  – 12 hours
  • A. BIOL 102 – Biology for Education Majors (4) **
  • B. Chemistry, Physics, or Physical Science (4) **
  • C. Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, Psychology 206/216 , or Honors 280-289 (4) **
  • Credit toward graduation may not be earned in both Physical Science 101- 102 and any chemistry course or physics course.
  • Psychology does NOT count as science for Early Childhood Education teacher licensure.
  • Students cannot take both Biology 104 and 105.

**To satisfy the Natural Sciences requirement, students must take at least one course from A, at least one course from B, and at least one course from C (above). Students are strongly encouraged to take Biology 102, Physical Science 150, and Astronomy 201 or 202 or Honors 280-289 to meet these 12 hours.

Pre-Professional Education (6 hours)

• EDUC 190 – Foundations of Education (3)
• EDUC 192 – Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction (3)
• EDUC 310 – Using Technology Effectively in the Classroom (3)
• EDUC 311 – Foundations of Instructional Planning and Assessment (3)
• EDUC 322 – Foundations in the Instruction of Reading (works well with Block A)
• EDUC 420 – Introduction: Exceptional Learner
  • Courses in blue have a pre-requisite of EDUC 190 and EDUC 192.

Professional Education (41 hours) *

*Requires admission to the Professional Education Program (PEP).

• EDUC 411 – Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3) (Works well with Block B)
• Block A *
  • ECED 321 – Methods for Teaching and Assessing Primary Mathematics (3)
  • ECED 329 – Clinical Experiences in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ECED 335 – Teaching Social Studies in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • EDUC 324 – Reading Assessment (3)
• Block B *
  • ECED 320 – Curriculum for Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ECED 336 – Teaching Science in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ECED 420 – Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Education (3)
  • EDUC 326 – Strategies for Reading Instruction PreK-12 (3)
  • EDUC 391 – Field Experience B: Early Childhood (2)
• Student Teaching Block * (Requires completion of ALL education courses)
  • EDUC 487 – Classroom Management (3)
  • EDUC 490 – Directed Teaching (12)
• Supporting Courses
  • ARTE 217 – Creative Arts for Elementary School Teacher
  • ENGL 313 – Literature for the Young Child
  • ENGL 341 – Advanced Composition for Teachers
  • MATH 370 – Intuitive Geometry
  • PSYC 315 – Child Behavior: Growth and Development

*All Block A courses must be taken together. All Block B courses must be taken together. All Student Teaching Block courses must be taken together.