Early Childhood Education Program Guide

Early Childhood Education Program Guide Bachelor’s Degree Completion

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Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree and Take Your Career to the Next Level Apply credits from your associate’s degree in early childhood education toward a bachelor’s degree. There are two degree options at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Bachelor’s Degree

Students majoring in Early Childhood Education will learn to apply teaching strategies to meet the needs of children from birth through preschool. They will be prepared to seek employment opportunities in Head Start programs and as directors or non-licensed teachers in child care centers and preschools.

Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science Degree (without teaching certification) Early Childhood Major Courses, typically completed as part of an associate degree (25 credits): TED 211

Educational Psychology

TED 225 Developmental Learning Experiences of Children TED 330 Infant and Toddler Programs TED 332 Preschool Curriculum TED 345 Parent Education & Family Development

UWRF Advantages

TED 400 Supervision & Management of Early Childhood Programs

Convenient

TED 410 Early Childhood Language Arts

Classes offered online.

Additional UWRF Early Childhood Major Courses (31 credits):

Flexible Begin in fall, spring, or summer.

TED 405 Techniques for Teaching Special Needs Children in Early Child Classrooms

CSD 160 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders MUS 275 Music & Art for Early Learners P ED 246 Health and Movement Activities for Children TED 255 Children's Literature for Elementary Education

Customized

TED 325 Diversity in Early Childhood Settings

Enroll full time or part time.

TED 329 Exploring Nature through Inquiry Learning

Affordable Pay the same tuition rate regardless of where you live.

Maximize Transfer Credit Apply course credit toward your major, general education requirements, and practicum hours.

High Quality Approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

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TED 326 Place-Based Science for Early Childhood Educators TED 335 Kindergarten Curriculum TED 409 English Language Learners in Early Childhood TED 411

Leadership and Advocacy for Young Children

TED 451 Integrating Alternative Methodologies of Early Childhood Education

UWRF University and General Education Requirements

To graduate from UWRF, all students must complete university and general education requirements. Many courses are typically transferred from the associate’s degree program. Courses to fulfill each requirement are offered online at UWRF. Approved equivalent courses from other institutions may be transferred to UWRF to meet these requirements.

Electives

Students are given flexibility to select courses to meet their unique goals.

Many online options are available at UWRF, and transfer credits may be accepted for approved courses from other institutions.

Degree completion requires a minimum of 120 credits with at least 30 credits taken at UWRF, 48 credits at a four-year institution, and final 15 credits taken at UWRF. Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 and a GPA of 2.50 in all major courses.

Bachelor’s Degree and Wisconsin Teaching Certification (Birth to Age 8) Students majoring in Early Childhood Education and completing requirements for teaching licensure will learn to apply strategies to meet the learning needs of children from birth through age eight. They will be prepared to seek employment opportunities in Head Start programs, as teachers or directors of child care centers, and as licensed teachers in four-year-old kindergarten and early elementary classrooms.

Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Science Degree and Wisconsin Early Childhood Teaching Certification (Birth – Age 8) Early Childhood Major Courses, typically completed as part of an associate degree (25 credits): TED 211

Educational Psychology

TED 225 Developmental Learning Experiences of Children TED 330 Infant and Toddler Programs TED 332 Preschool Curriculum TED 345 Parent Education & Family Development TED 400 Supervision & Management of Early Childhood Programs TED 405 Techniques for Teaching Special Needs Children in Early Child Classrooms TED 410 Early Childhood Language Arts Additional UWRF Early Childhood Major Courses (59 credits): MUS 275 Music & Art for Early Learners P ED 246 Health and Movement Activities for Children TED 155 Introduction to Teaching - Early Childhood Program TED 255 Children’s Literature for Elementary Education TED 321 Early Childhood Integrated Reading and Language Arts 1 TED 322 Early Childhood Integrated Reading and Language Arts TED 323 Content and Techniques of K-3 Mathematics I TED 324 Content and Techniques of K-3 Mathematics II TED 325 Diversity in Early Childhood Settings

Practicum/Field Experience Requirements Students will receive credit for practicum/field experience hours completed during the associate degree program. The remaining required field experiences will be completed in UWRF courses. Field experience and student teaching can be completed close to where you live or work.

TED 326 Place-Based Science for Early Childhood Educators TED 335 Kindergarten Curriculum TED 350 Pre K – Early Elementary Learning Challenges TED 409 English Language Learners in Early Childhood TED 411

Leadership and Advocacy for Young Children

TED 424 Inquiry Learning: Society and Environment Early Elementary TED 451 Integrating Alternative Methodologies of Early Childhood Education TED 480 Student Teaching: PreK – Early Elementary

UWRF University and General Education Requirements

To graduate from UWRF, all students must complete university and general education requirements. Many courses are usually transferred from the associate degree program. Courses to fulfill each requirement are offered online at UWRF. Approved equivalent courses from other institutions may be transferred to meet these requirements.

Degree completion requires a minimum of 120 credits with at least 30 credits taken at UWRF, 48 credits earned at a four-year institution, and final 15 credits taken at UW-River Falls. Students must earn a minimum combined GPA of 2.75, no grade lower than a “C” in all major courses, and no grade lower than “B-” in TED 321, 322, 323, 324, 335, and 424.

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Requirements for Licensure Students must earn satisfactory scores on the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge Praxis II exam, the Foundations of Reading exam, STPA and completion of one full semester of student teaching. Throughout the program, students prepare a certification portfolio to demonstrate development and competence in Wisconsin’s Ten Standards for Teacher Licensure and Development.

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Comparing the Two Program Options Using the table below, you can compare the program options by admission requirements, degree coursework, graduation requirements and employment opportunities.

Bachelor of Science Degree and Wisconsin Early Childhood License Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree Only

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field

• Minimum combined GPA of 2.75

• Minimum combined GPA of 2.5

• C or better in ENGL 100 Major Courses

~25 credits transferred + 59 at UWRF = 84 credits

~25 credits transferred + 31 at UWRF = 56 credits

Field Experience

Required for certain courses

Required for certain courses

Praxis II Exam

Required

Not required

Foundations of Reading Exam

Required

Not required

Student Teaching

Required

Not required

STPA

Required

Not required

Certification Portfolio

Required

Not required

Graduation Requirements

• 2.75 cumulative GPA

• 2.0 cumulative GPA

• C or better in all major courses

• 2.5 major GPA

• B- or better in TED 321, 322, 323, 324, 335, and 424 Employment Opportunities

Working with children birth through age 8 (licensed to teach up to third grade)

Working with children birth through pre-K (e.g., family services, Head Start programs, child care centers)

Transfer Credit Courses completed at other colleges or universities that have descriptions closely matching the descriptions of courses taught at the home campus will generally transfer as direct course equivalents to meet requirements of the major and/or general education. The maximum number of transferable credits from a two-year college is 72.

To find out how your credits will transfer, there are Transfer Guides available. You may also create an unofficial Degree Audit report using Transferology. Once you have been admitted as a transfer student and confirm your intention to enroll, UWRF will conduct a complete credit evaluation.

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Tuition and Financial Aid Students pay the same tuition rate regardless of where they live.

Current tuition rate is available on the Student Billing web page.

Students are also eligible to utilize the textbook rental program and have books and materials mailed directly to them.

The Financial Aid Office can help you complete your application for financial assistance, help with billing questions, and provide you with general information about the programs available to you to finance your education. Ask your employer about the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Wisconsin Scholarship.

Application Instructions Apply online, pay your application fee, request official transcripts be sent directly to UW-River Falls Admissions Office, and, if necessary, submit your test scores by the following deadlines:

July 1 for fall December 1 for spring April 1 for summer http://apply.wisconsin.edu

Helpful Contacts Financial Aid Office

133 Rodli Hall 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

P: 715-425-3141 F: 715-425-0708 email: finaid@uwrf.edu www.uwrf.edu/FinancialAid/

Student Billing

226 Rodli Hall Phone: 715-425-3145 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

P: 715-425-3145 email: billing@uwrf.edu www.uwrf.edu/studentbilling/

Transfer Coordinator

103 Rodli Hall 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

P: 715-425-3500 email: admissions@uwrf.edu www.uwrf.edu/admissions/transfer

Visit Campus Request Information “I don’t know if I would have been able to earn my degree if it were not for this program. The program was obviously designed to meet the needs of a nontraditional/distance learner and it works.”

Jurita M. Foltyn

410 S. 3rd Street

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Format and Schedule of Classes In many ways, taking an online course is like taking a traditional course. Your instructor will provide materials, activities and assignments, respond to your questions, and grade your work.

You can participate in an online course wherever you have a computer with internet access.

Most of the online coursework is provided in an asynchronous format which means you can read and post messages anytime that is convenient to you. Some of our classes are provided in a synchronous format which does require you to log in to the course during an assigned time so you can engage in active discussion with the instructor and fellow students.

Field experience hours and student teaching can be completed close to where you live or work.

The tables below indicate both the formats and schedule for the courses required for both program options.

Courses for the Early Childhood Education Bachelor Degree Credits

Online

Online with Designated Chat Times

Field Experience Hours

Terms Offered

CSD 160 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders

3

x

-

-

Fall Summer

MUS 275 Music & Art for Early Learners

3

x

x

3

Fall

P ED 246 Health and Movement Activities for Children

3

x

-

-

Summer

TED 255 Children’s Literature for Elementary Education

3

x

-

-

Fall Spring

TED 325 Diversity in Early Childhood Settings

3

x

-

10

Spring

TED 326 Place-Based Science for Early Childhood Educators

3

x

x

-

Summer

TED 329 Exploring Nature through Inquiry Learning

3

x

x

6

Fall

TED 335 Kindergarten Curriculum

3

x

x

10

Fall

TED 409 English Language Learners in Early Childhood

2

x

x

2

Spring

TED 411 Leadership and Advocacy for Young Children

3

x

-

-

Spring

TED 451 Integrating Alternative Methodologies of Early Childhood Education

2

x

x

6

Spring

Course Number and Title

*Whenever possible, multiple course requirements will be completed with a single field experience.

Courses are subject to changes.

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Courses for the Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certification Credits

Online

Online with Designated Chat Times

Field Experience Hours

Terms Offered

MUS 275 Music & Art for Early Learners

3

x

x

3

Fall

P ED 246 Health and Movement Activities for Children

3

x

-

-

Summer

TED 155 Introduction to Teaching Early Childhood Program

2

x

-

-

Fall Spring Summer

TED 255 Children’s Literature for Elementary Education

3

x

-

-

Fall Spring

TED 321 Early Childhood Integrated Reading and Language Arts 1

3

x

x

10

Fall

TED 323 Content and Techniques of K-3 Mathematics I

3

x

x

10

Fall

TED 322 Early Childhood Integrated Reading and Language Arts

3

x

x

10

Spring

TED 324 Content and Techniques of K-3 Mathematics II

3

x

x

10

Spring

TED 325 Diversity in Early Childhood Settings

3

x

-

10

Spring

TED 326 Place-Based Science for Early Childhood Educators

3

x

x

-

Summer

TED 335 Kindergarten Curriculum

3

x

x

10

Fall

TED 350 Pre K-Early Elementary Learning Challenges

5

x

x

15

Fall

TED 409 English Language Learners in Early Childhood

2

x

x

2

Spring

TED 411 Leadership and Advocacy for Young Children

3

x

-

-

Spring

TED 424 Inquiry Learning: Society and Environment Early Elementary

3

x

x

8

Summer

TED 451 Integrating Alternative Methodologies of Early Childhood Education

2

x

x

6

Spring

TED 480 Student Teaching: PreK – Early Elementary

12

x

-

-

Fall Spring

Course Number and Title

*Whenever possible, multiple course requirements will be completed with a single field experience.

Courses are subject to changes.

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Is This Program Right For You? CONTACT US AND FIND OUT. Debra Hare 715-425-3557 | debra.hare@uwrf.edu go.uwrf.edu/EC

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