Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)/Special Education - Birth to Grade 6, B.S./M.S.Ed.

General Education Requirements

Students must meet requirements for general education; see The Cardinal Core Curriculum  for details.

• General education courses will not count toward the Generalist Content of the major, but may apply to the Specialization Content.
• Students in teacher education must complete a two-semester, beginning-level sequence or demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English or in American Sign Language, which may count towards the Human Communities requirement of the Cardinal Core.

Major Departmental Requirements 42 Credits

• EDS 201 - Infants and Young Children with Exceptional Needs (3 cr.)
• EDS 405 - Literacy for Students with Exceptional Learning Needs (3 cr.)
• EDS 424 - Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 cr.)
• EDU 120 - Exploring Teaching, Learning, and Child Development (3 cr.)
• EDU 130 - Ethics, Relationships, and Multicultural Competencies in Education (3 cr.)
• EDU 230 - Creating Supportive Classroom Environments (3 cr.)
• EDU 240 - Introduction to Instructional Planning (3 cr.)
• EDU 325 - Teaching Methods I: Connecting Pedagogy in Reading and Writing, Content Areas and Special Education (6 cr.)
• EDU 335 - Methods of Math and Technology (6 cr.)
• EDU 359 - Methods of Science and Technology (3 cr.)
• EDU 465 - Curriculum Design (6 cr.) (AWR) 

Cognate Requirements 10 Credits

• EDR 315 - Teaching English Language Learners in the Elementary Classroom (3 cr.)
• EDR 360 - Literacy Instruction for Elementary Classroom (3 cr.)
• EDS 410 - Foundations of Special Education (3 cr.)
• EDU 321 - Ethics and Professional Responsibilities for Classroom Teachers (1 cr.)

• (course fulfills child abuse and neglect, school violence, and substance abuse awareness)

Concentration 30 Credits

See Childhood Education Grades 1-6  for concentration requirements for Generalist and Specialization Content.

1. Generalist Content: (15 cr.)
   Teacher candidates must take at least one course from each of the General Content areas to address the content knowledge needs of a childhood education teacher. Generalist Content areas include: English Language Arts; Mathematics; the Arts; Social Studies; and, Science.Courses must be in addition to courses used to fulfill General Education.
2. Specialization Content: (15 cr.)
   Each teacher candidate must take a minimum 15 credits (including 9 credits at the 300 or 400 level) from one of the Specialization Content areas. Specialization Content areas include: The Arts; English Language Arts; Modern Languages and Cultures; Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM); Social Studies; or Interdisciplinary.

Graduate Requirements 42 Credits

• EDS 506 - Assessment, Evaluation, and Learning (3 cr.)
• EDS 507 - Prosocial Skills, Positive Behavior Supports B-12 (3 cr.)
• EDS 508 - Practicum in Special Education Birth to Grade 2 (6 cr.)
• EDS 520 - Specific Learning Disabilities/School and Society (3 cr.)
• EDS 521 - Intellectual and Low-Incidence Disabilities (3 cr.)
• EDS 522 - Emotional and Behavior Disorders in School and Society (3 cr.)
• EDS 523 - Advocacy and School Law in Special Education (3 cr.)
• EDS 536 - Instructional Practices for Students with Disabilities Birth-Grade 2 (3 cr.)
• EDS 537 - Instructional Practices for Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6 (3 cr.)
• EDT 595 - Student Teaching in Childhood Education Grades 1-6 (6 cr.)
• EDT 596 - Student Teaching: Special Education Grades 1-6 (3-6 cr.)

Electives 0 Credits

Certain major/cognate courses may also satisfy GE requirements thus increase elective credits accordingly.

Undergraduate Credits minimum 108
(including General Education Requirements)

Graduate Credits minimum 42

Total Credits minimum 150

Additional Degree Requirements

1. Students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA to become an Education Major. Education majors must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
2. Minimum grade of C in all required undergraduate education courses; Minimum grade of B in all required graduate education courses.
3. Minimum grade of C in all cognate and concentration courses.
4. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in all required undergraduate major courses (Major Departmental Requirements 42 Credits).
5. A two-semester, beginning-level sequence or demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English or in American Sign Language.
6. Successfully conduct themselves professionally at all times.
7. Demonstrate professional ethical behaviors
8. Completion of all college-wide degree requirements (Undergraduate Degree Requirements ).
9. Teacher candidates not meeting one or more of these requirements will be reviewed by their respective Education Unit Academic Process Committee for possible dismissal from the major.