Early Childhood Education: Bachelor of Arts, Option 1 – Initial Licensure

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)
• ● EDEC4999: Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education (12)

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

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 student teaching. 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.

Student teaching 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. Student teaching for this program is 8 hours per day, 5 days per week for 15 weeks. Candidates also participate in strategically planned monthly seminars that include topics such as equity and diversity, best practices, gender expression, and navigating the interview process.

• ● 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.

• ● 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

• ● Complete and document 200 hours of clinical field experience


• ● Complete and document coursework and earned grades


• ● Successfully complete student teaching, earning a grade of “B-” or better


• ● Pass the edTPA portfolio or C-PAST Evaluation


• ● Earn a passing score on the Early Childhood Content Area Exam of the Illinois Certification Testing System (ILTS).


• ● Candidates need to create an ELIS account. Here are instructions to complete the following: create an ELIS account, apply for a substitute license, and apply for licensure.

For more information about licensure, visit the GSU webpage Licensure of Teachers and Other School Professionals.