Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) – BS

Program Overview:

NOTE: The College will accept students into this program for Fall 2017. After this time, all students interested in Early Childhood Education will need to apply to the Inclusive Early Childhood Education program.

The Teacher Education Department identifies the purposes of its education sequence for Early Childhood Education students seeking initial certification at the undergraduate level as the development of education professionals who are reflective practitioners able to link content, theory, and practice, and create effective learning environments for pupils with the full range of abilities and experiential backgrounds. Guidelines developed by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) were utilized in the development of this program.

The undergraduate program in Early Childhood Education leads to a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and prepares students for teaching in birth through grade 2 general education settings. The program has three components: an education sequence, the Liberal Education requirements (refer to the catalog section on Liberal Education requirements for the specific regulations) and an academic concentration in an area of liberal arts or science (see below for descriptions of academic concentrations). Early Childhood Education majors follow the College’s 41-credit Liberal Education requirements. For this requirement, students need 3 credits of “further disciplinary study” in the liberal arts, selected in consultation with the advisor.

In order to maintain good standing through all stages of the teacher preparation program, students are required to maintain the following academic standards: 2.25 cumulative index, 2.75 index in the education sequence, 2.25 index in the academic concentration, and a minimum grade of C+ in each required course of the education major. Students are allowed to repeat only once courses in the major for which they have earned C or below. These requirements must be met in order to student teach and to graduate from the program.

Courses in the education sequence and the academic concentration may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Significant progress toward completion of the concentration should be made prior to student teaching. Because students must maintain an overall 2.25 GPA and a 2.75 GPA in the education sequence in order to student teach and graduate, a significant portion of the concentration should be completed at The College of Saint Rose.

The education sequence, normally begun in the sophomore year, provides pre-service teachers with integrated course content across the disciplines of childhood development, communication disorders, education, educational psychology, instructional technology, literacy and special education. The program prepares future educators to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of a diverse student population, to collaborate with colleagues, and to exhibit leadership in their professional endeavors. Courses are guided and facilitated by College faculty and supervisors who have had experiences in diverse classroom settings and who exemplify the reflective, scholarly, caring education professional. The Education sequence culminates in student teaching at the Pre-K and kindergarten levels and the primary (1-2) grades during one semester of the senior year. All student teaching experiences must be completed through The College of Saint Rose. Transfer credit for students teaching is not granted. The Teacher Education Department recommends that, during student teaching, students register for the following courses only: Student Teaching, Portfolio in Childhood and Early Childhood Education, and Seminar for Childhood Education and Early Childhood Education Student Teachers.

Fingerprinting clearance from The New York State Department of Education is required for all field experiences. Fingerprinting information is available on the New York State Department of Education “TEACH” website http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach. Students should note that education courses with field experiences have catalog course descriptions that include a statement on mandatory fingerprinting.

Admission into the College does not ensure good standing in the program in Early Childhood Education, nor does good standing in the Early Childhood Education program ensure admission to student teaching. Students must apply for student teaching in accordance with program guidelines while completing all education course requirements with the exception of EDU 493 and EDU 494. In order to be eligible for initial teacher certification in New York State, students must pass required New York State Teacher Certification Examinations.

Upon fulfilling the academic requirements of the program, receiving fingerprint clearance and passing examinations required by the New York State Education Department, students qualify for initial certification Birth-Grade 2 in New York State. Within five years, teachers with initial certification must apply for professional certification, which is contingent upon earning a relevant master’s degree and obtaining teaching experience that includes mentoring.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Elizabeth Yanoff

Teacher Education Department Chair

Email: yanoffe@mail.strose.edu

Program Webpage:

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2), BS

Program Requirements:

Major in Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) (48 credits)

Biology Concentration (30 credits)

Computing and Logic Concentration (33-35 credits)

Studying fundamental computer science lays the groundwork for a career of applied computational thinking applicable to any field. Computer science emphasizes algebra and mathematical reasoning, hence strengthening the overall preparation of a future teacher. A concentration in Computing and Logic goes far beyond providing knowledge of a computer-based toolset to use in the classroom. Students in this concentration will become better equipped in conceptualization, problem-solving and abstract thinking. This concentration supports the STEM coalition efforts to improve the way our students learn science, mathematics, technology and engineering.

Computer Science Courses (20-22 Credits)

Required Courses:

Choose two of the following courses:

Mathematics Courses (13 Credits)

Required Courses:

Additional Courses:

English Language Arts Concentration (33 credits)

Required Courses:

One 200-level early literature course:

One 200-level later literature course:

One diverse literature course:

Writing/Language course(s) - 4 credits:

One communication course:

One performance arts course:

Two credits in teaching topics courses OR one additional literature course from those listed above (2 or 4 credits):

French/Spanish Concentration (30 credits)

The French/Spanish concentration is not currently available. Please contact the chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures for more information.

General Science Concentration (30 credits)

Mathematics Concentration (30-32 credits)

Required Courses:

Choose one course from the following:

Depth of Study (9-11 credits)

Choose two courses from the following:

Choose one from the following:

Social Studies Concentration (32 credits)

Core Courses:

One POS course from the following:

Choose one course from a geographic area:

Africa:

Asia:

Europe:

Latin America:

Spanish Concentration (30 credits)

Required Courses:

One additional course chosen from:

Two Spanish 300-400 level elective courses (6 credits)

Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:

This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits.  It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.

Internship/Field Experiences/Service:

The hands-on, field experience that students complete is a hallmark of the Saint Rose School of Education. Early childhood education field placements include early childhood and preschool programs, as well as elementary school classrooms for Kindergarten, first and second grades. In addition, students are placed in a variety of settings, including urban, suburban, rural and high-needs districts.

Since several courses include field experience requirements that range from five to 18 hours each, you will begin gaining observation and hands-on experience during your sophomore year and complete more than 60 hours of fieldwork before you begin your student teaching experience. During your senior year, you will complete two, 7 ½ week student teaching experiences, one in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten setting, and one in a grade 1 or grade 2 classroom. Each of the two student teaching experiences begins with an analysis of the culture of the school and community and a study of the students in the school and classroom, in regard to their diversity, abilities, experiential backgrounds, language proficiencies and special needs. This will assist you in your subsequent teaching and planning and make you better able to help students learn the required material.

Culminating Academic Experiences:

Required Courses

Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/

Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.ncate.org/

Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:

The bachelor's degree in early childhood education that you earn from Saint Rose will grant you initial certification in this field. However, in order to gain professional certification, you must earn a master's degree in early childhood education or a related field such as special education, reading, or elementary education.

Saint Rose offers many Master of Science in Education (M.S. in Ed.) degree programs. Many graduates choose to pursue their master's degrees here at Saint Rose with the faculty they have come to respect as mentors.

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of First-Year applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as October. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.

What Makes an Application Complete

• Online or Paper application (fee waived for all applicants!)
• Official High School Transcripts
• Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
• SAT or ACT scores  (See Test Optional FAQ's)
• Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
• Essay or Graded Paper
• Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
• Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
• Music applicants are required to complete an audition.

Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)

Scholarships and Financial Aid

See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.

The Bottom Line

The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $34 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.

Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.

More about Financial Aid

Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.

The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.

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