 Early
Childhood Education Certificate
Some of
the courses in this curriculum, plus certain others in education, meet
the requirements for the initial Early Childhood Education Certificate
in Rhode Island nursery through grade 2. Students who wish to meet the requirements for this
certificate must apply to the Early Childhood Education program
through the Office of Teacher Education. Application should
occur during the sophomore year to ensure timely progress through the
program and degree requirements.
Portfolio admission is used for this program. Students develop a
portfolio of materials in the areas of: Interpersonal
Communication; Academics; Experience with Children and Community
Settings; and Diversity Experiences. Students bring their portfolio
with them to an interview and also take several examinations. Because
there are only 9 credits of free electives in this program, consulting
an HDF advisor is important if students are to finish their degree in
a timely manner.
Students take the Human Development and Family Studies Core Courses
and then proceed directly to the Professional Content area taking HDF
203, 302 or EDC 425, HDF 357, and either HDF 400 or 432.
Education courses taken prior to formal application include: EDC 102,
250, and 312. FSN 207 is also required. After acceptance into the ECE
program, students take: HDF 301, 303; EDC 402, 424, 426
& 350, 429. The culminating experience is EDC 484 & 485,
Student Teaching and Student Teaching Seminar.
Students in early childhood education must maintain a quality point
average of 2.50 overall and 2.50 in the major, and attain a grade of
at least C in HDF 203, 301, 303, EDC 424, 426 and 429 to be eligible
for student teaching. Failure to maintain these averages will result
in "program probation," a one-semester period during which
students have the opportunity to earn acceptable grades but may not
continue on the early childhood course sequence or student teach.
Failure to return grade averages to acceptable standing after one
semester will lead to dismissal from the program. Students who perform
below average on
the standardized math, reading and writing tests prior to student
teaching must take an additional
pre-approved mathematics and/or writing course.
A total of 120 credits are required for graduation.
Graduate Students and Early Childhood Education: The
Teacher Certification Program (TCP) is designed for individuals who
have a bachelor's degree and are interested in obtaining teacher
certification in Early Childhood Education. Persons who
wish to pursue early childhood education teacher certification who do
not have a Human Development and Family Studies background will need
to take certain courses from the HDF undergraduate curriculum and
should see an HDF advisor. Students apply through the Graduate School
to the TCP and complete the same admissions process as undergraduate students
including an interview, portfolio presentation, and standardized
testing |
