BS - Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure Track)
Indiana Wesleyan University's Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure Track) program is an undergraduate lock-step program emphasizing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of an early childhood educator. This program also includes a minor in Reading. The B.S. in Early Childhood Education program prepares adults to meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of children from birth through age eight. Upon completion of the program, candidates will demonstrate the abilities and responsibilities associated with leadership in the early childhood profession; working with children, families, communities, and organizations by:
- Observing, documenting, assessing, and supporting young children.
- Using content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.
- Promoting child development and learning.
- Building family and community relationships.
- Using developmentally effective approaches.
- Demonstrating the knowledge, skills and dispositions of an early childhood professional.
Although this program prepares candidates to work in various Early Childhood settings, it does not lead to recommendation for licensure. Candidates will participate in multiple field experiences throughout this program. Field experiences occur in a variety of early learning environments and include increasingly interactive experiences in serving learning, volunteering, and teaching. Through field experiences, candidates gain real-world experience working with children, families, and communities.
Admission Requirements
All applicants to the non-licensure track must have:
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Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
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Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.
- Applicants who do not hold a valid license in the field of education will be required to submit a criminal history background check conducted at the applicant's expense. Admission to and/or progression in designated programs will be based upon criteria set in the SoEL Criminal History Background Check Admissions Policy.
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Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Prior completion of at least 48 transferable credit hours is required before the candidate is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
Program Requirements
- All BS Early Childhood Non-Licensure Program students desiring to move to the Licensure Track must meet all admission requirements from the Licensure Track and must contact the Advising Team to have this requirement verified and completed by the end of their ECED-325 course. Candidates not completing this requirement by the end of ECED-325 will not have the option to move to the Licensure Track at a later date.
- The BS-Early Childhood Non-Licensure Program is a lock-step program. Students who are unable to complete an ECED course or who receive an unsatisfactory grade for their specific program will be allowed to repeat that course with another group of students if arrangements are made with the Registration Change Counselor and the School of Educational Leadership. Tuition and fees will be charged for repeating the course.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of 120 credit hours.
- Completion of the required prerequisite and core courses with a minimum grade of "C" and a minimum GPA of 2.75.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Completion of 30 hours of general education requirements as specified (General Education Requirements).
- Successfully pass the admission, mid-program review, and program completion gateways.
Student Teaching
Field experiences are required for several courses in this program. However, a student teaching experience is not included in this non-licensure track.
Early Childhood Education (BS) - Non-Licensure Track - Program of Study
Prerequisites
Candidates may be enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (BS) Non-Licensure Track Program of Study, but must complete the following courses prior to starting the Core Courses.
| ECED-101 | Foundations of Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED-105 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECED-125 | Current Issues and Trends in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED-130 | Parents, Families, and Communities As Partners | 3 |
| ECED-135 | Emergent Literacy | 3 |
Core Courses
| ECED-305 | Educational Psychology for Early Learners | 3 |
| ECED-301 | Infant/Toddler Care-on-Demand Environments | 3 |
| ECED-302 | Infant/Toddler Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment | 3 |
| ECED-303 | Literature Focused Preschool Environments | 3 |
| ECED-304 | Preschool Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment | 3 |
| ECED-322 | Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| ECED-325 | Foundations of Reading and Language Structure | 3 |
| ECED-332 | Instructional Tools for the Teaching of Reading | 3 |
| ECED-331 | Literacy in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| ECED-401 | STEM Concepts in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| ECED-405 | Social Studies and Fine Arts in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| ECED-411 | Classroom Management in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| ECED-422 | Advocacy Internship in Early Childhood | 3 |
Minor in Reading
The minor in Reading is comprised of five previously completed prerequisite (ECED-135) and core (ECED-303, ECED-325, ECED-331, ECED-332) courses.
| ECED-135 | Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| ECED-303 | Literature Focused Preschool Environments | 3 |
| ECED-325 | Foundations of Reading and Language Structure | 3 |
| ECED-331 | Literacy in the Primary Grades | 3 |
| ECED-332 | Instructional Tools for the Teaching of Reading | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 54 |
