B.S. in Early Childhood Education - Bagwell College

B.S. in Early Childhood Education - Bagwell College
B.S. in Early Childhood Education
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B.S. in Early Childhood Education
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Program Overview
The B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Birth through Kindergarten is designed to prepare
candidates to instruct and work with infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten
children. Graduates of the program will be prepared to provide instruction to very
young children. Graduates will also be familiar with global perspectives on early
learning and teaching. The B-K Undergraduate Degree Program addresses the needs of
the whole child based on national and state standards. Teacher candidates in the program
may be placed in a variety of field settings that will focus on (1) developmentally
appropriate best practices, (2) current research on the development of infant, toddler
and young children, (3) families and communities in a global setting, (4) English
Language Learners, and (5) children with special learning needs.
Teacher candidates may take courses focusing on children ages birth though kindergarten
in the following areas:
Prenatal Development and the Development of Infants, Toddlers and Young Children
Organization and Administration of Preschool Programs
Visual Arts, Play, Music and Creativity
Language and Literature
Families, Communities
Global Learning
Children with Special Needs
Lesson Planning and Assessment
English Language Learners
View a list of specific courses in the B-K Certification track
View a list of specific courses in the B-K Non-Certification track
Request Information
Undergraduate Catalog
Admission Requirements and Deadline
Please refer to the admissions requirements and deadlines found in
Kennesaw State University’s Admissions Requirements
Program Course Requirements
Core IMPACTS Curriculum
(42 Credit Hours)
KSU’s General Education Core IMPACTS Curriculum
Core Field of Study
(18 Credit Hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses.
EDUC 2110:
Investigating Critical & Contemporary Issues in Education
EDUC 2120:
Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Diversity in Educational Contexts
EDUC 2130:
Exploring Teaching & Learning
ECE 2250:
Child Development and Early Learning
ECE 2540:
Health, Wellness and the Young Child
ECE 2590:
Families, Communities and Schools: Partners in Education
Major Requirements
(48 Credit Hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses.
Required Courses
(23 Credit Hours)
ISCI 2001:
Life and Earth Science
or
ISCI 2002:
Physical Science
MATH 2008:
Foundations of Numbers and Operations
ECE 2205:
Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs
ECE 3364:
Children’s Literature
ECE 3510:
Fostering Young Children’s Learning Through Play
ECE 3575:
International Approaches to Early Care and Learning
INED 3304:
Education of Exceptional Students  (This course requires a minimum grade of “B”)
ITEC 3100:
Improving Learning with Technology in Elementary Classrooms
Professional Education Requirements
(25 Credit Hours)
ECE 3313:
Preschool Curriculum and Assessment
ECE 3520:
Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Assessment
ECE 3530:
Movement, Music and Art in Birth through Kindergarten Programs
ECE 3565:
Infant/Toddler Practicum
ECE 3570:
Preschool Practicum
ECE 4515:
Methods in Teaching and the Development of Teaching Language & Literacy in Birth through
Kindergarten
ECE 4525:
Methods of Nurturing Second Language Acquisition
ECE 4535:
Methods of Instruction and Identification of B-5 Children with Special Needs
ECE 4545:
Methods in Math & Science in Birth through Kindergarten
ECE 4555:
Methods for Teaching Social Studies Birth through Kindergarten
Major Concentrations
(12 Credit Hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses. Choose from one of the following concentrations:
Traditional Certification Concentration Professional Education Requirements
(12 Credit Hours)
ECE 4650:
Yearlong Clinical Experience I (P-5)
ECE 4660:
Yearlong Clinical Experience II (P-5)
EDUC 4610:
Introduction to the Yearlong Clinical Experience
Non-Certification Concentration Professional Education Requirements
(12 Credit Hours)
This concentration prepares graduates for work in Birth through Kindergarten settings
where teacher certification is not required.
ECE 4598:
Birth through Five Internship I
ECE 4599:
Birth through Five Internship II
Program Total (120 Credit Hours)
B.S. in Early Childhood Education: Birth through Kindergarten: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Birth through Kindergarten Program and the Elementary
Education Degree?
The Birth through Kindergarten program was developed to prepare teachers to work with
children in educational settings from infancy through five years of age. Candidates
who complete this program will be able to work in infant, toddler, preschool, pre-kindergarten
and kindergarten settings. The Elementary Education program is designed to prepare
teachers to work in public elementary schools from Pre-kindergarten through fifth
grade.
What program options does the Birth through Kindergarten Program offer?
There are two pathways offered in the Birth through Kindergarten degree: certification
or non-certification. The certification pathway leads to a state teaching certificate
approved from the Professional Standards Commission in the state of Georgia. The certification
program allows graduates to teach PreK or kindergarten in the public schools. The
non-certification pathway is the degree in Birth through Kindergarten without obtaining
state certification to teach in public schools.
What is the difference between requirements for certification and non-certification
pathways?
To be certified, candidates must hold specific Georgia Professional Standards Commission
(PSC) requirements. These requirements are entrance, during program, and exit requirements.
The certification pathway requires candidates to pass the Georgia Assessments for
the Certification of Educators (GACE) part 1 to enter the program and part 2 to exit
the program. Part 1 of the GACE can be exempted if candidates have a high enough score
on the SAT or ACT. The GACE 1 must already be passed at the time of enrollment to
the program to be enroll in the certification pathway. The GACE 2 exam is taken towards
the end of the degree program and candidates must be recommended to take the exam
by the Bagwell College of Education. Candidates in the B-K program will only be recommended
for the B-K certification exam (GACE 2). The certification pathway candidates must
also pass the GACE Ethics assessment. This assessment must already be passed upon
enrollment to the certification pathway of the B-K program. In addition, candidates
in the certification pathway must obtain their criminal background check clearance
through the PSC AND Bright from the Start. The certification pathway candidates are
required to obtain their preservice teacher certificate from the PSC prior to or upon
enrollment to the degree program. This is done through application to the PSC and
includes the passing of GACE 1 or exemption, the ethics assessment, and the clearing
of the state criminal background check through the PSC. All certification pathway
candidates are required to complete their yearlong clinical experience in a public-school
kindergarten classroom.
The non-certification pathway is different in the entrance requirements and the exit
requirements. The non-certification pathway only requires the required GPA and clear
Bright from the Start background check. They do not require specific test scores for
entry to the program. The non-certification pathway does not require a yearlong clinical
in public school but instead candidates in the non-certification pathway complete
a yearlong internship in an early learning program.
Are there background check requirements for the Birth through Kindergarten program?
Yes. Certification pathway candidates must clear both the PSC and Bright from the
Start criminal background checks. Non-certification pathway candidates must clear
the Bright from the Start criminal background check.
What are the field experience requirements for the B-K program?
Candidates in the B-K program complete field experience requirements every semester.
In the first semester of the program (referred to as Block 1) all B-K candidates are
required to complete a 60-hour practicum (one full school day per week for 10 weeks)
in and infant/toddler classroom. In the second semester (Block 2) all B-K candidates
are required to complete a 60-hour practicum (one full school day per week for 10
weeks) in a preschool or PreK classroom. The senior year (blocks 3 & 4) certification
candidates do a yearlong clinical experience in a public-school kindergarten. In the
block 3 semester they complete a few full school days per week for the entire semester.
In the block 4 semester, candidates complete full time field experience all day every
day for the full semester. Non-certification candidates follow the same schedule for
their senior year but conduct their placement in an early learning program rather
than a public-school kindergarten.
Additionally, some courses require field-based requirements and assignments such as
observation and teaching lessons. The administration course requires 15 hours of administrator
shadowing. Whenever possible, these additional field requirements are to be carried
out in the assigned practicum or internships experiences described in the previous
paragraph.
I work in an early learning program. Can I complete my field experience requirements
on my job?
This may be possible for some field experiences. The required age groups must be utilized,
and prior permission must be obtained from the CEPP office and the administrator of
the worksite.
Can I teach in a public school if I get the Birth through Kindergarten Degree?
Yes, candidates who successfully complete the certification pathway in Birth through
Kindergarten are eligible to work as a certified kindergarten teacher. Candidate may
also teach in the preschool special education classrooms usually housed in the elementary
school setting, if they add the preschool special needs endorsement to their certificate
(this is already embedded in the degree).
Can I teach first or second grade if I get the Birth through Kindergarten Degree?
No, if a candidate is interested in teaching first through fifth grade, they should
apply to the Elementary Education program.
What jobs can I get if I get a degree in Birth through Kindergarten?
Many of the graduates of the Birth through Kindergarten have gone on to work and pursue
the following careers:
Infant teacher
Toddler Teacher
Early Learning Administrator
Preschool Teacher
Lottery-funded Pre-kindergarten teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Early Childhood Special Educator
Early Childhood Education Consultant
Early Childhood Education Trainer
Early Childhood Technical Assistance trainer
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Practitioner
In addition, candidates have furthered their education and pursued the following careers:
Child Life Specialist
Early Childhood Speech Pathologist
Child Advocacy Lawyer
Teacher of Special Education
Teacher of Early Childhood Special Education
How long does it take to complete the program?
The program may be completed in four years if candidates take a full load of course
work. Please see the list of specific courses listed above for both the certification
and non certification tracks.
I work full time. Can I still complete the Birth through Kindergarten program?
Yes, many of our candidates work full time in childcare centers. Many of the courses
are offered in the evenings and online to help accommodate working schedules. Every
effort is made in scheduling to reduce the number of days you would have to come to
campus during the day so you can work (though some courses do occur during the workday).
Some field experiences may be done at your work site especially if a candidate pursues
the non-certification track. Because the certification track is connected to the GaPSC,
field experience requirements must be done as specific placements connected to the
public schools especially in the last year of the program.
I have been a preschool teacher for many years. Can my years of experience substitute
for any courses?
Unfortunately, previous hours of work experience do not count toward course work or
field experience at this time.
I have an Associate's degree from a technical college, will any of my courses transfer
into the Birth through Kindergarten program.
Yes, there are articulation agreements in place that will assist students who have
a degree from a technical college in Georgia in substituting course work. Please contact
the Bagwell Advising and Student Success Center to set an appointment to speak with
an adviser and to discuss possible articulated courses
For more information about the B – K program, please call 470.578.6121 or email Dr. Doug Bell,
dbell22@kennesaw.edu
For more information on undergraduate admissions, please call 770.423.6300 or email
KSUAdmit@kennesaw.edu
For more information on advisement in undergraduate education programs, please call
Bagwell Advising and Student Success Center at 470.578.6105 or email
BCOE_Advising@kennesaw.edu