B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education (PreK-4)

The Leading Teacher Program (LTP) in Grades PreK-4 (Early Childhood) Education is designed to prepare leading teachers for preschool and elementary classrooms in Pennsylvania. Teacher candidates who successfully complete the requirements for this degree will be qualified to teach in pre-school and early elementary classrooms, through fourth grade. Throughout the program, teacher candidates have the opportunity to develop professional and personal competence by participating in experiences that are both theoretical and applied in regional schools. All teacher candidates complete a set of core experiences in pedagogy and participate in guided fieldwork. Dual certification in Special Education with Early Childhood Education is an available option.

The LTP in Grades PreK-4 is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and has been reviewed by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Teacher candidates address professional standards in each of the early childhood and elementary school curriculum content areas through course projects and learn to implement the standards through coursework and fieldwork. All of the experiences in the LTP in Grades PreK-4 Education program reflect the themes of leadership, diversity and technology.

The LTP in Grades PreK-4 Education program consists of a minimum of 120 credits of courses and experiences organized into three major areas of study: University Bridges Common Learning Experience/ General Education; Foundations of Education; Professional Preparation. The majority of the General Education and Foundations courses are completed in the first two years of study.

Grades PreK-4 Curriculum

120 minimum credits

This is the curriculum for the general program. Total minimum credits are 120. Students work with their success coach to determine appropriate courses to take. Variations dependent on content area specializations. Please contact the School of Education for information on concentrations. 

State regulations supersede University policies for establishing minimum program requirements. It is possible that the requirements for graduation, the degree, and/or certification may change during the student's tenure at the University. The state policies adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Secretary of Education and/or the state legislature at the time of graduation are the requirements that must be met. Candidates are responsible for knowing and fulfilling their program requirements.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is in the process of reviewing and updating certification bands and competencies, the curriculum will be revised to meet these changes. 

Bridges Common Learning Experience / General Education / PA Department of Education Requirement Courses

  • BRDG 100 Research and Information Skills, 1 cr
  • BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis, 3 cr
  • BRDG 102 Writing and Literature, 3 cr
  • BRDG 105 Introduction to Ethical Reasoning, 3 cr
  • EQ Essential Questions, 3 cr
  • Philosophy Elective, 3 cr
  • Theology Elective, 3 cr
  • Social and Historical Reasoning Elective, 3 cr
  • MATH 103 Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers, 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3 or 4 cr) of:
    • MATH 101 College Algebra, 3 cr
    • MATH 105 College Algebra and Trigonometry, 4 cr
    • MATH 111 Calculus for Non-Science Students, 3 cr
    • MATH 115 Calculus I, 4 cr
    • MATH 125 Fundamentals of Statistics, 3 cr
    • MATH 225 Introduction to Biostatistics, 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3 cr) of:
    • CHEM 107 Chemistry in Today's World, 3 cr
    • PHYS 123 Core Science - Physics, 3 cr
    • SPRG 109 Physical Science, 3 cr
  • Choose 1 (3 cr) of:
    • BIOL 120 Core Science - Biology, 3 cr
    • ENVI 126 Foundations of Energy and the Environment, 3 cr


Foundations of the Leading Teacher Program Courses

  • EDLT ### Instructional Technology for PreK-12 Educators, 3 cr
  • EDUC 181 Cohort Experience, 0 cr
  • EDUC 222 Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching, 3 cr
  • LTEC ### Children's Literature Across Cultures and Eras, 3 cr
  • LTEC 201W Early Childhood Education - Theories and Practices, 3 cr
  • LTEC 203 Integrated Curriculum in Early Childhood Settings, 3 cr
  • LTEC 291 Field Experience Level 2, 0 cr
  • LTEC 304 Family, School, and Community, 3 cr
  • LTFL ### Cohort Experience 2, 0 cr
  • LTFL ### Cohort Experience 3, 0 cr
  • LTFL ### Cohort Experience 4, 0 cr
  • LTFL ### Fundamentals of Assessment for Single Certification, 3 cr
  • LTFL ### Stage 2 Field: Resources for Teaching, 0 cr
  • LTFL 105 Ethics, Teaching, and Critical Education, 3 cr
  • LTFL 203 Social Justice in Community-Engaged Settings, 3 cr
  • LTFL 209 Educational Psychology: Development, Learning, and Motivation, 3 cr
  • LTFL 293 Community-Engaged Learning Experience, 0 cr
  • LTSP 203 Foundations of Inclusive Educational Practices in Special Education, 3 cr
  • LTSP 293 Inclusive Field Experience Stage I, 0 cr

Professional Preparation Courses

  • LTEC ### Elementary Capstone 1, 0 cr
  • LTEC ### Science and Social Studies in Early Elementary, 3 cr
  • LTEC ### Science in Upper Elementary, 3 cr
  • LTEC ### Social Studies in Upper Elementary, 3 cr
  • LTEC ### Stage 3 Field:, 0 cr
  • LTEC ### Upper Elementary Practicum, 3 cr
  • LTEC ### Writing  Development and Instruction in Early Elementary, 3 cr
  • LTEC 325W Developmental and Instructional Literature in Early Childhood, 3 cr
  • LTEC 326 Foundations in Early Numeracy, 3 cr
  • LTEC 327 Grades K-2 Practicum, 3 cr
  • LTEC 375W Development and Instruction of Literacy in Upper Elementary, 3 cr
  • LTEC 376 Math Pedagogy in Upper Elementary School, 3 cr
  • LTEC 405 Early Childhood/Pre-K-4 Capstone, 3 cr
  • LTEC 492 Student Teaching PreK-4, 12 cr
  • LTEL 201 Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners, 3 cr
  • LTIL ### Critical Classroom Management, 3 cr
  • LTSP 355 Assessment in Special Education, 3 cr

Learning Outcomes

  • Exhibits exemplary knowledge in the content and professional areas of certification.
  • Plans content-area instruction aligned to state and national standards and discipline expectations.
  • Locates and uses resources, including technological resources, to plan and implement instruction.
  • Plans and implements equitable instruction that attends to students’ developmental levels, diverse backgrounds, and academic needs.
  • Designs and uses assessment of student learning to guide improvement.
  • Demonstrates characteristics of professional ethics, respect, relational trust, and cultural competence in interactions with students, colleagues, families, and communities.