Requirements

Major

The Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education is designed to prepare candidates for teaching careers in birth-through-third-grade classrooms, with state certification in early childhood education (Type 04) with an approval for early childhood/special education and for graduate study in early childhood education.

General Education Competencies

Candidates seeking early childhood state certification are required to complete Dominican University’s core curriculum, as well as demonstrate competency in physical science and speech/oral communication. In addition, a field of study consisting of 18 semester hours is required in a state approved mathematics, science, humanities or social science area. All of these requirements must be completed with the passing grade of “C” or better.

Professional Education Requirements

Dominican University requires early field experiences equivalent to 100 clock-hours. These experiences must be completed in an early childhood setting (birth through third grade) that includes students of diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds, as well as students with exceptionalities.

Required Courses

Early Childhood Education 200, 300, 301, 303, 381, 382, 384, 386, 430, 494, 495, and Special Education 322 and 356. Courses taken prior to 2000 are accepted only with special permission from the faculty of the School of Education. For additional information about the Early Childhood Education major, see Education pge 80.