Bachelor of Science in Education in Unified Early Childhood
The Unified Early Childhood (UEC) education program leads to licensure for both general education and special education in infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten through third grade. Students in this program prepare to work in inclusive settings to meet the learning needs of young children, including those with disabilities.
Undergraduate Admission
Incoming Freshman Students:
Students can be admitted into teacher education programs as freshmen if they meet KU’s assured admission standards and declare a teacher education program as their major.
Incoming Transfer Students:
Students can be admitted into teacher education programs as transfer students if they are admitted to KU, declare a teacher education program as their major, and meet the following criteria:
- A KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
Current KU Students:
Students can be admitted into a teacher education program as current KU students if they meet the following criteria:
- A KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75
Students that do not meet the requirements above can petition through the online SOEHS Admission Petition form.
For information about initial admission to KU, visit the Office of Admissions. Visit the Office of International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Bachelor of Science in Education Degree Requirements
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MEETING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS RESTS WITH THE STUDENT.
- Complete an approved program with a minimum of 120 credit hours of course work. At least 30 hours must be taken in residence.
- A 2.75 minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA for all academic coursework, including transfer hours.
- No grade lower than a C- in any teacher education course and no grade lower than a C- in COMS, ENGL, and MATH prerequisite requirements.
- For History & Government, English, and Foreign Language: A 2.5 minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA in content area courses .
- Other general regulations of the School and University, including KU Core Goal requirements. Successful completion of student teaching and/or internship with a grade of C- or higher.
REQUIREMENTS TO BEGIN STUDENT TEACHING AND/OR INTERNSHIP:
- A minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA grade-point average of 2.75 with no grade lower than a C- in any course in professional education.
- Continued demonstration throughout the program of professional dispositions as evaluated by program faculty each semester.
- For History & Government, English, and Foreign Language: A 2.5 minimum KU + Transfer Cumulative GPA in content area courses
KANSAS LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
- Passing score on the Educator Performance Assessment (KU-EPA).
-
Passing score on the Principles of Learning and Teaching Examination and Praxis content examination(s).
-
Completion of Bachelor of Science in Education degree – see above.
Please note: Each state has its own licensure requirements. Being eligible for a license in Kansas does not ensure that the applicant is eligible for licensure in other states.
Unified Early Childhood (Birth–Grade 3) Major
Admission Requirements
Freshmen will be admitted to the Unified Early Childhood Education program if they are admitted to KU with assured admission criteria and declare Unified Early Childhood Education as their major.
Transfer Requirements
Students will be admitted to the Unified Early Childhood Education program (from another institution or academic program) if they are admitted to KU with a minimum 2.75 GPA and declare Unified Early Childhood Education as their major.
TRANSITION POINTS
Transition Point #1: Progression to the Professional Block 1 requires students to:
- Maintain SOEHS admission status.
- Clear a criminal background check prior to placement in schools.
- Demonstrate professional dispositions with minimal concerns noted by education faculty and administration.
Transition Point #2: Progression into Professional Block 2 requires students to:
- Earn a final grade of "C-" or better in required education courses.
- Clear a criminal background check prior to placement in schools.
- Have maintained an overall GPA of at least 2.75.
- Demonstrate professional dispositions with minimal concerns noted by education faculty and administration.
Transition Point #3: Progression into Professional Block 3 requires students to:
- Earn a final grade of “C-” or better in Student Teaching/Advanced Teaching Practicum.
- Have maintained an overall GPA of at least 2.75.
- Complete all required degree coursework except Block 3 coursework.
- Demonstrate professional dispositions with minimal concerns noted by education faculty and administration and by university and clinical supervisors.
Transition Point #4: Completion of Program requires:
- Successful completion of the KU-Educator Performance Assessment and all other School of Education & Human Sciences requirements.
- Completion of all required degree coursework with a 2.75 or higher cumulative grade point average.
- Achievement of a grade of “C-” or better in professional education courses including internship and student teaching.
- Earning the B.S.E. degree.
Additional requirements to be eligible for an initial Kansas teaching license:
To qualify for a Kansas initial teaching license, candidates must complete a content knowledge assessment in each of the endorsement or teaching subject areas for which you completed a teacher preparation program and meet the minimum score set by the Kansas State Department of Education.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Professional Coursework | ||
| C&T 100 | Introduction to the Education Profession | 3 |
| C&T 235 | Cultural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in K-12 Schools | 3 |
| SPED 261 | Families and Professional Partnerships | 3 |
| SPED 362 | Introduction to Early Education and Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| General Education Courses | ||
| EPSY 305 | Development and Learning of the Child (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE) 050 | 3 |
| Professional Block 1 | ||
| C&T 330 | Instructional Approaches for ESOL Learners in the Elementary/Early Childhood Classroom | 3 |
| C&T 344 | Children's Literature in the Elementary School | 3 |
| C&T 347 | Social Studies in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| C&T 349 | Science in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| C&T 351 | Mathematics for the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| C&T 352 | Literacy Instruction in the Primary Grades (K-3) | 3 |
| C&T 353 | Literacy Practicum in the Primary Grades | 1 |
| C&T 550 | STEM Applications in Physical Science for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| EPSY 480 | Promoting Student Social-Emotional Well-Being | 3 |
| GEOG 104 | Introduction to Physical Geography | 3 |
| HSES 341 | Instructional Strategies in Physical Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers | 1 |
| MATH 109 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | 3 |
| MEMT 341 | Instructional Strategies in Music for Elementary Classroom Teachers | 2 |
| or VAE 341 | Instructional Strategies in Art for Elementary Classroom Teachers | |
| SPED 650 | Constructing Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| C&T 356 | Understanding Dyslexia in Early Childhood | 1 |
| SPED 661 | Supporting Children with Significant Learning and Behavioral Challenges | 3 |
| SPED 663 | Assessment Strategies in Early Education | 3 |
| SPED 665 | Inclusive Strategies and Intervention for Preschoolers | 3 |
| SPED 667 | Field Experience in Preschool (SPED 667 (tied to Service Learning Certificate)) | 1 |
| Professional Block 2 | ||
| C&T 301 | Educational Technology in Elementary-Middle Education | 3 |
| C&T 490 | Student Teaching (K through third grade) | 6 |
| ELPS 537 | The Governance and Organization of Schools | 3 |
| Professional Block 3 | ||
| SPED 439 | Student Teaching: Unified Early Childhood (Birth through preschool) | 6-9 |
| SPED 664 | Inclusive Strategies and Intervention for Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| SPED 495 | Developing the ECU Teaching Portfolio (Capstone Course) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 87-90 | |
This is a sample plan of study. Students should consult with their academic advisor to create an individualized plan for degree completion.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENGL 101 (Core 34: English (SGE))010** | 3 | ENGL 102 (Core 34: English (SGE))010** | 3 |
| MATH 101 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE))030* | 3 | COMS 130 (Core 34: Communications (SGE))020** | 3 |
| C&T 100 | 3 | BIOL 100 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040** | 3 |
| GEOG 104 | 3 | BIOL 102 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040** | 1 |
| SPED 261 | 3 | LING 110 (Core 34: US Culture (SGE))070** | 3 |
| SPED 362 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ANTH 160 or SOC 130 (Core 34: Global Culture (SGE))070** | 3 | C&T 344 | 3 |
| HIST 128 (Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE))060** | 3 | EPSY 305 (Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE))050*** | 3 |
| C&T 550 | 3 | MATH 109 | 3 |
| C&T 235 | 3 | SPED 650 | 3 |
| Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| C&T 330 | 3 | C&T 347 | 3 |
| C&T 352 | 3 | C&T 349 | 3 |
| C&T 353 | 1 | C&T 351 | 3 |
| C&T 356 or SPED 446 | 1 | EPSY 480 | 3 |
| SPED 663 | 3 | HSES 341 | 1 |
| SPED 665 | 3 | SPED 661 | 3 |
| SPED 667 | 1 | ||
| MEMT 341 or VAE 341 | 2 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| C&T 490 | 6 | SPED 439 (Capstone) | 8-9 |
| C&T 301 | 3 | SPED 495 | 3 |
| ELPS 537 | 3 | ||
| SPED 664 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 11-12 | ||
| Total Hours 120-121 | |||
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.