Intended Audience

  • ● Individuals who want to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

  • ● Individuals who do not seek initial licensure (candidates are not eligible to apply for a teaching license - Professional Educator License)

  • ● Individuals who are interested in earning the Gateways Director’s Credential

Degree Earned

  • ● Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education

Certifications Earned

  • ● Illinois Gateways Credentials

    • o Early Childhood, levels 1-5

    • o Infant Toddler, levels 1-3

    • o Director, levels 1-2

Coursework

Early childhood courses for this program are offered in the daytime and are face-to-face (on campus). A few introductory courses are offered in the evenings and are face-to-face (on campus). Most ESL courses (BBED) are offered online asynchronous (not at a scheduled time). Click the following links to view and download the program overview and coursework.

Course Listing

Introductory (12 hours)

  • ● SPED2100: Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)
  • ● EDCP2101: Introduction to Educational Technology (3)
  • ● EDUC2310: Foundations of Education (3)
  • ● EDUC2330: Educational Psychology I - Child Growth and Development (3)
  • ● ENGL2131: Literature of Children and Adolescents (3) *part of GenEds

Professional (42 hours)

  • ● EDUC3550: Applied Educational Psychology (3)
  • ● EDUC3410: Classroom Management and Responsive Learning Environments (2)
  • ● EDEC3099: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ● EDEC3570: Assessment & Differentiated Instruction in Early Childhood (3)
  • ● EDEC3590: STEAM in Education (3)
  • ● EDEC4550: Family, Community, and Culture (3)
  • ● EDEC4551: Field Experience 1 - Infants and Toddlers (1)
  • ● EDEC4560: Science and Social Studies Methods, CRTL & Exceptional Learners (3)
  • ● EDEC4561: Field Experience 2 - Preprimary Grades (1)
  • ● EDEC4570: Literacy Methods in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ● EDEC4571: Field Experience 3 - Literacy in Primary Grades (1)
  • ● EDEC4580: Math in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ● EDEC4581: Field Experience 4 - Math in Primary Grades (1)
  • ● EDEC4820: Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education (3)
  • ● EDEC4899: Practicum in Early Childhood Education (9)

Teaching Specialization - ESL Certificate (18 hours)

  • 1. BBED4501: Teaching English as a Second Language (3)
  • 2. BBED4520: Foundations of Bilingual and ESL Education (3)
  • 3. BBED4525: Assessment of Language of Minority Students (3)
  • 4. BBED4530: Methods and Materials for Teaching in Bilingual Programs (3)
  • 5. BBED4538: Cross Cultural Education (3)
  • 6. BBED4977: Reading Strategies in the Bilingual and ESL Classroom (3)

Total hours for program coursework: 72


Field Experiences

Field experiences are integrated into program coursework to give students the opportunity to gain valuable training and professional connections. Candidates will complete more than 200 hours of diversified clinical experiences throughout the program prior to practicum. Click the following link for the Practicum Application Form.

More Info

Candidates engage with children and families in a variety of diverse settings from birth to 2nd grade in clinical field experiences and observations prior to student teaching. These experiences include observing, engaging, and teaching lessons with infants/toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, and primary classrooms in multiple settings across the region.

Support is provided and scaffolded throughout the program for field experiences prior to practicum. Instructors and qualified mentor teachers in the field guide students to build their confidence and gradually increase their responsibilities as a classroom teacher.

Partner districts are selected for their commitment to a team approach in creating an inclusive culture focused on responsiveness to the educational needs of racially, culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students.These placements are made to such districts as New Lenox, Harvey, Homewood, Tinley Park, Chicago, Kankakee, Oak Lawn, and Dolton.

Practicum placement is based upon candidate selection across Chicagoland districts. Candidates work with quality mentor teachers who serve as models, offer opportunities to teach and practice skills, and provide guidance and feedback. Practicum for this program is 8 hours per day, 4 days per week for 12 weeks.


Suggested Plan of Study

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

FE Hours

Modality

Introductory Courses (taken as needed)

ENGL 2131

Literature of Children and Adolescents (part of GenEds)

3

 

F2F, Online

EDUC 2310

Foundations of Education

3

10

F2F

EDUC 2330

Educational Psychology I: Child Growth and Development

3

 

F2F

SPED 2100

Survey of Students with Exceptionalities

3

15

F2F, Online

EDCP 2101

Introduction to Educational Technology

3

 

Online

Semester 1 (fall/spring)

EDEC 3099

Developmentally Appropriate Practices in ECE

3

 

F2F

EDUC 3410

Classroom Management & Responsive Learning Environments (spring)

2

 

F2F

BBED 4520

Foundations of Bilingual & ESL Education (fall, spring, summer)

3

10

Online, F2F

BBED 4501

Teaching English as a Second Language (fall, spring)

3

20

Online, F2F

Semester 2 (summer)

EDEC 3570

Assessment and Differentiated Instruction in EC

3

 

F2F

EDEC 3590

STEAM in Education

3

 

F2F

BBED 4538

Cross-cultural Education (summer)

3

10

Online, F2F

BBED 4977

Reading Strategies in the Bilingual and ESL Classroom (summer)

3

20

Online, F2F

Semester 3 (fall/spring)

EDUC 3550

Applied Educational Psychology

3

15

F2F

EDEC 4550

Family, Community, and Culture

3

 

F2F

EDEC 4551

Field Experiences 1 - Infants & Toddlers

1

x

Supervisory

EDEC 4560

Science and Social Studies Methods, CRTL & Exceptional Learners

3

 

F2F

EDEC 4561

Field Experiences 2 - Preprimary Grades

1

x

Supervisory

BBED 4525

Assessment of Language Minority Students (summer)

3

20

Online, F2F

Semester 4 (fall/spring)

EDEC 4570

Literacy Methods in Early Childhood

3

 

F2F

EDEC 4571

Field Experience 3 - Literacy in Primary Grades

1

x

Supervisory

EDEC 4580

Math Methods in Early Childhood

3

 

F2F

EDEC 4581

Field Experience 4 - Math in Primary Grades

1

x

Supervisory

BBED 4530

Methods and Materials for Teaching in Bilingual (fall, spring)

3

20

Online, F2F

Semester 5 (fall/spring)

EDEC 4820

Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education

3

 

 

EDEC 4899

Practicum in ECE (hours as a director)

9

x

Supervisory


Program Schedules


Program Requirements

Program Admission

After meeting the university admission requirements, students must meet the following requirements to continue in the Early Childhood Education program.

List of Admission Requirements

  • ● Requirements:

    • ○ Be admitted to Governors State University and be in good academic standing

    • ○ Must have a grade of “B-” or better in all general education courses used for program requirements

    • ○ Freshman students:

      • ■ Earned fewer than 24 semester hours of college credit to start GSU as a freshman

      • ■ Must have a minimum of 2.0 unweighted high school GPA on a 4.0 scale

    • ○ Transfer students:

      • ■ 24 or more semester credit hours of college coursework

      • ■ A 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA (2.3 or higher GPA may be accepted with conditions)

  • ● To apply, candidates must submit all of the following:

    • Application

    • ○ Resume

    • ○ Official transcripts

    • ○ Test scores (optional)

    • ○ Fee

For more information regarding admission to this program and university, visit the GSU Undergraduate Admissions webpages for freshman and transfer students. Additionally, visit the Admissions Resources and FAQs webpage.

For questions or help with admissions and application process, set up a virtual appointment to speak with someone or email the Admissions Office, admission@govst.edu.

Degree Requirements

Candidates must meet all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree, except candidates must complete the 49-52 hour General Education Requirement for Teacher Licensure instead of the University General Education Requirement. Candidates must also:

List of Degree Requirements

  • ● Attain a GPA of 2.75 or better in all General Education coursework, earning a grade of “B-” or better in all courses

  • ● Attain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Professional Education coursework, earning a grade of ‘B-’ or better in all courses

  • ● Attain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Teaching Specialization coursework, earning a grade of ‘B-’ or better in all courses

  • ● Complete all coursework at Governors State University within five calendar years

  • ● Be in good standing with the university and program

  • ● Earn satisfactory scores on assessments of professional dispositions and exhibit expected dispositions

  • ● Maintain satisfactory candidate progress as defined in the Early Childhood Education Program Handbook

  • ● Successfully complete all key assessments and field placements, including student teaching

Certification Requirements – Illinois Gateways to Opportunity

Candidates can earn Illinois Gateways Credentials: Early Childhood Education and Infant Toddler. Candidates must be a member of Gateways and submit an application at the beginning of the program and after graduation. Candidates must register for a free account with Illinois Gateways.


Program Advisor

From admission to graduation, your academic advisor is your partner towards success. Our academic advisor is here to answer any questions you have and help you navigate the requirements needed for the program. Once you are admitted, make sure you reach out to your advisor for guidance throughout your program.

Eileen Lally

Eileen Lally
Undergraduate Advisor
elally@govst.edu
708-534-4399
C Building 3388


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