纽泽西学院

The Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education offers undergraduate majors in elementary education and early childhood education. It also offers an integrated five-year program for students interested in urban education that culminates in a master’s degree and eligibility for either early childhood or elementary certification and ESL certification. Additionally, the department offers integrated five-year programs in early childhood education and special education, as well as early childhood education and education of the deaf and hard of hearing that culminate in a master’s degree and eligibility for certification in early childhood and special education, or early childhood education and education of the deaf and hard of hearing. All programs offer a sequence of coursework in the theory and practice of education and provide students with field experiences.

Effective early childhood teachers must have an extensive background of knowledge. In addition to providing the specific training for a teacher of young children, the College seeks to enable each teacher candidate to acquire a liberal education. The early childhood education program courses are designed to increase knowledge in specific areas as well as to prepare for future teaching. Students take early childhood education courses that allow them to observe and participate in preschools and elementary classrooms in a variety of diverse school settings. During these courses, students learn about children’s literature and child and adolescent development, and develop skills in the teaching of math, science, and literacy. In the junior year, students take advanced pedagogy courses in literacy, social studies/multicultural education, and integrated learning. In the senior year, students teach under the guidance of a classroom teacher and conduct an inquiry project related to their in-classroom experience in conjunction with the capstone seminar. Some students elect to do part of their senior student teaching abroad as part of the Global Student Teaching Program. Students who are interested in the global student teaching program must submit an application during their junior year. During all course work and field experiences, students participate in activities and gain experience in planning, organizing, and directing the learning experiences of young children. Students should consult with their departmental advisors in both the education and second major departments in planning their programs. These plans should take into account requirements for the second major, liberal learning, the professional education major, and state certification. The Department requires that students meet with both the education advisor and the second major advisor each semester. This is the responsibility of the student, as requirements and course offerings are subject to change.