波士顿大学

The Early Childhood Education program prepares students to teach preschool through second grade.

BU students specializing in Early Childhood Education engage in a comprehensive course of study that includes a strong base in the arts and sciences, with coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and math and science, as well as in education, in general, and in Early Childhood Education.

A sequence of three field-based courses provides students with the opportunity to put course content into practice. This progression begins in our Early Childhood Learning Lab (ECLL), a demonstration preschool located in the School of Education, continues with a public-school placement in a local kindergarten, and culminates with a final student teaching placement in a local first or second grade public school classroom.

Students must be approved to proceed in the licensure course sequence. This approval is at the program faculty’s discretion and is based on performance in field-based courses and meeting GPA requirements.

The program of study for each student is carefully designed to enable the student to meet both the BU Hub capacities and the requirements that enable Boston University to recommend students to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for licensure as an Early Childhood Teacher of Students with and without Disabilities at the Initial level. Fulfillment of licensure requirements in the program can lead to licensure in states with which the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has reciprocity.

Learning Outcomes

Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high-quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives. (Well-Structured Lessons; Adjustments to Practice; Reflective Practice)

Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency. (High Expectations; Meeting Diverse Needs; Safe Learning Environment)

Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.

Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice. (Meeting Diverse Needs)

Demonstrates Subject Matter Knowledge: Demonstrates depth and breadth of knowledge needed to teach the subject matter to students as evidenced by lesson planning and implementation.