Early Childhood Â鶹¹û¶³ (PreK–Grade 4) Certification Program
Shape Futures, Teach with Purpose, and Build a Strong Foundation in Early Childhood Â鶹¹û¶³.
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? Â鶹¹û¶³â€™s Early Childhood Â鶹¹û¶³ (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 Â鶹¹û¶³ Courses
Praxis Exams for Early Childhood Â鶹¹û¶³ Certification
In Pennsylvania, Early Childhood Â鶹¹û¶³ (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 Â鶹¹û¶³ (RA2418) and the Pennsylvania Department of Â鶹¹û¶³.
Recommended Course Sequence for Â鶹¹û¶³ 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.
Fall:
- EDUC 100.2 – Intro to the Â鶹¹û¶³ 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 Â鶹¹û¶³
- 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
Teacher certification requires candidates to meet academic standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Â鶹¹û¶³ (PDE), including a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. To support students in reaching this requirement, the Â鶹¹û¶³ Department has established academic progression benchmarks.
Students must earn at least a C+ in all 100-level EDUC courses—including the required MATH 120 course—to stay on track for upper-level coursework and ultimately meet the GPA requirement for teacher certification.
Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 to enroll in 200-level EDUC courses or higher. This requirement applies to all upper-level EDUC coursework, including courses taken prior to formal admission to the Â鶹¹û¶³ Program.
To apply for admission to the Â鶹¹û¶³ Program (typically at junior standing or its credit equivalent), students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Once admitted to the program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to remain enrolled. In addition, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in their EDUC coursework.
Students who fall below the required GPA standards may be subject to review by the Â鶹¹û¶³ Department and may be advised to pursue a degree pathway outside of teacher certification at the discretion of the department. Please see the Â鶹¹û¶³ Field Experience Handbook for more info.
