Teaching Elementary, Adolescent and Young Children
Early Childhood Education (Major and Minor)
Early Childhood Education Major
The Early Childhood Education - major is intended to prepare students to become birth through 3rd grade teaching specialists. As a major, it requires a minor OR a second major. Students who elect to complete this major for a teacher certification endorsement in Early Childhood Education are strongly advised to simultaneously compete the Elementary Education major. In addition they must:
- Visit with an ECE advisor
- Declare a major
- Simultaneously complete the Professional Education Program if seeking certification.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher for the last 45 credits, if seeking certification.
- Must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required major, minor, and Professional Education Program courses if seeking certification.
A student may complete this major without gaining entry to the Teacher Preparation Program or completing the Professional Education Program. Under such circumstances a teacher certification endorsement in Early Childhood will not be granted. This option exists for those individuals who wish a NON-CERTIFICATION status. See an advisor.
Transfer Students
We accept a maximum of 10 credits of Early Childhood Education courses from Community Colleges. Please contact a CWU advisor to select the best fit with our program.
Program Requirements
| EDEC 232 Child Development or EDEC 310 Infant Education | (3) |
| EDEC 332 Theories of Child Development | (3) |
| EDEC 448 Parent Involvement | (3) |
| EDEC 333 Curriculum I | (3) |
| EDEC 334 Curriculum II | (3) |
| EDEC 444 Classroom Management | (3) |
| EDEC 492 Seminar | (3) |
| EDEC 493 Practicum | (12) |
Select 12 credits from the following:
| EDEC 232 Child Development or EDEC 310 Infant Education | (3) |
| (What ever was not taken to fulfill the required course work) | (5) |
| EDEC 292 Assisting in the Child-Centered Classroom | (3) |
| EDEC 347 History and Philosophy in ECE | (3) |
| EDEC 354 Childhood Learning | (3) |
| EDEC 389 Professional Growth and Expectations | (1-6) |
| EDEC 396 Individual Study | (3) |
| EDEC 415 Child Language Acquisition | (3) |
| EDEC 418 Equity, Culture, and Anti-Bias in ECE | (3) |
| EDEC 421 Play in Childhood Learning | (3) |
| EDEC 423 Materials and Manipulatives | (3) |
| EDEC 425 Responsible Childhood Assessment | (3) |
| EDEC 432 Child Development Research | (3) |
| EDEC 443 lab Experience Teaching in ECE | (3) |
| EDEC 447 Curriculum Exploration | (3) |
Total Credits: 45
Early Childhood Education Minor
This minor is intended to prepare students to become birth through grade 3 teachers. Students who elect to complete this minor for a teacher certification endorsement in early childhood education are strongly advised to simultaneously complete the elementary education major (see a department advisor as to how this may be effectively accomplished). Students seeking the teacher certification endorsement in early childhood education must complete all Teacher Certification and Professional Education Program requirements, which include the Professional Education Program courses (49-52 credits). Also, EDCS 442, Student Teaching, of the education program should be completed at the K-3 level. Students are advised to take EDEC 292 and 232 or 332 as the initial portion of their studies. EDEC will be graded S or U.
A student may complete this minor without gaining entry to the Teacher Preparation Program or completing the Professional Education Program. Under such circumstances a teacher certification endorsement in early childhood will not be granted. This option exists for those individuals who wish to work with young children in an infancy/toddler/preschool setting only.
| Required Courses | |
| EDEC 232 - Child Development | |
| OR EDEC 332 - Theories in Child Development | 3 |
| EDEC 292 - Assisting in the Child-Centered Classrooms | 5 |
| EDEC 333 - ECE Curriculum Pre- Kindergarten | |
| OR EDEC 334 - ECE Curriculum Kindergarten- Primary | 3 |
| EDEC 448 - Parent Involvement | 3 |
| Select from the following electives: | 6 |
| EDEC 310 - Infant Education (3) | |
| EDEC 347 - History and Philosophies of Early Childhood Education (3) | |
| EDEC 354 - Childhood Learning (3) | |
| EDEC 364 - Child Safety and Well-being (3) | |
| EDEC 396 - Individual Study (1-6) | |
| EDEC 415 - Child Language Acquisition (3) | |
| EDEC 418 – Equity, Culture and Anti-bias in ECE (3) | |
| EDEC 421 - Play in Childhood (3) | |
| EDEC 423 - Materials and Manipulatives in ECE (2) | |
| EDEC 432 - Child Development Research (3) | |
| EDEC 443 - Lab Experience/Teaching ECE (3) | |
| EDEC 444 - Classroom Management in an ECE Classroom (3) | |
| EDEC 447 - Curriculum Exploration (3) | |
| Department-approved electives by advisement | 4 |
| Total Credits: | 24 |
