Early Childhood Education (PreK–Grade 4) Certification Program
Shape Futures, Teach with Purpose, and Build a Strong Foundation in Early Childhood Education.
Are you passionate about teaching young children and want to become certified to teach in PreK–4 classrooms while majoring in the subject of your choice? ÑÇÖÞÇéɫ’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certification-Only track offers future educators the flexibility to pursue any academic major alongside a professional teaching credential.
Program Overview
The ECE Certification-Only program is designed to prepare competent, confident educators who understand:
- Child development and learning from birth through grade 4
- Engaging activities for young learners
- Relationship-building practices that foster student success
- Instructional design using data, technology, and student-centered methods
- Equity and inclusion with responsive approaches to meet the needs of all learners
You’ll engage in coursework, fieldwork, and student teaching across a variety of real-world educational settings including public, private, and charter schools.
What Makes This Pathway Unique?
- Leverage Your Degree: This pathway empowers you to apply your undergraduate studies directly to a meaningful teaching career that starts the moment you graduate.
- Flexible Major Options: ECE certification students may pursue any academic major from psychology to English, sociology, or science, allowing you to build a personalized academic experience.
- Guided Advising: Our faculty mentors help you customize a path that supports both your major and certification goals.
ECE Certification-Only Requirements
Students pursuing ECE certification must complete:
- A major of their choice at the undergraduate level.
- All general education requirements in either Linc or MILE
- Mathematics Requirement – 1.5 units (Must include: MATH 120: Mathematics for Teaching)
- English Requirement – 1.5 units
- Required Early Childhood Education Courses
Praxis Exams for Early Childhood Education Certification
In Pennsylvania, Early Childhood Education (PreK–4) candidates must pass the PECT (Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests) through Pearson:
PECT Exam Modules (Test Codes):
- 8006 – Module 1: Child Development, Learning, and Professionalism
- 8007 – Module 2: Language and Literacy Development
- 8008 – Module 3: Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies
Test scores should be reported to ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« (RA2418) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Recommended Course Sequence for Education Courses
Please consult your education and major advisor to ensure that your general education, English and Math credits are also included in your advising plan. Students must maintain 2.7 GPA or higher to continue in 200-level and higher education classes.
Fall:
- EDUC 100.2 – Intro to the Education of English Language Learners
Spring:
- EDUC 160 – Culture, Community & Diversity
- EDUC 160 LA – 40-hour Stage 1 & 2 Field Experience
- EDUC 214.2 – Music and Movement
Fall:
- EDUC 210 – Child Development & Cognition I
- EDUC 210 LA – 40-hour Stage 1 & 2 Field Experience
- EDUC 213.2 – Art in Education
- EDUC 216 – Early Childhood Theories, Practices & Family Partnerships
- EDUC 244 – Including Students with Disabilities
Spring:
- EDUC 211 – Child Development & Cognition II
- EDUC 211 LA – 40-hour Stage 1 & 2 Field Experience
- EDUC 222 – Emerging Language & Literacy, PK–Grade 4
Fall:
- EDUC 312 – Data-Driven Analysis & Decision-Making in ECE
- EDUC 322 – PreK Math Strategies
- EDUC 323 – PreK Scientific Reasoning
- EDUC 358.2 – Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience
- EDUC 358.2 LA – 75-hour Stage 3 Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience
Spring:
- EDUC 218.2 – Movement, Health & Safety for Young Children
- EDUC 321 – Language Arts for Children PK–Grade 4
- EDUC 359.2 – 75-hour Stage 3 Field Experience
- EDUC 324 – PreK–4 Social Studies
Fall:
- EDUC 370 – Seminar for Early Childhood
- EDUC 375 Stage 4 Student Teaching Experience
- EDUC 376 Stage 4 Student Teaching Experience
- EDUC 377 Stage 4 Student Teaching Experience
Spring:
- Finish up the courses in your major
