Early Childhood EduCation Program
guidE
Bachelor’s Degree
Completion
Convenient
Classes offered online.
Flexible
Begin in fall, spring, or summer.
Customized
Enroll full time or part time.
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.
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
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
evelopmental Learning Experiences of Children
arent Education & Family Development upervision & Management of Early Childhood Programs echniques for Teaching Special Needs Children in Early Child
TED 410 Early Childhood Language Arts
Additional UWRF Early Childhood Major Courses (31 credits):
CSD 160 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders
MUS 275 M usic & Art for Early Learners
P ED 246 H ealth and Movement Activities for Children
TED 255 Children's Literature for Elementary Education
TED 325 D iversity in Early Childhood Settings
TED 326 Place-Based Science for Early Childhood Educators
TED 329 E xploring Nature through Inquiry Learning
TED 335 K indergarten 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.
Additional UWRF Early Childhood Major Courses (59 credits):
MUS 275 M usic & Art for Early Learners
P ED 246 H ealth and Movement Activities for Children
TED 155 Introduction to Teaching - Early Childhood Program
TED 255 Children’s Literature for Elementary Education
TED 321 E arly 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 D iversity in Early Childhood Settings
TED 326 Place-Based Science for Early Childhood Educators
TED 335 K indergarten 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.
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.
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.
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
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Minimum combined GPA of 2.75
• C or better in ENGL 100
Bachelor of Science Degree Only
• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Minimum combined GPA of 2.5
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
Employment Opportunities
• 2.75 cumulative GPA
• C or better in all major courses
• B- or better in TED 321, 322, 323, 324, 335, and 424
Working with children birth through age 8 (licensed to teach up to third grade)
Transfer Credit
• 2.0 cumulative GPA
• 2.5 major GPA
Working with children birth through pre-K (e.g., family services, Head Start programs, child care centers)
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.
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
http://apply.wisconsin.edu
Jurita M. Foltyn
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
Courses for the Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certification
*Whenever possible, multiple course requirements will be completed with a single field experience.
Courses are subject to changes.
