Early Childhood Education: Post-BAC – EC Endorsement

Professional Education Coursework (8 courses)

• ● EDEC 6099: Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Early Childhood Education (4)


• ● EDEC 6550: Family, Community, and Culture (3)


• ● EDEC 6551: Field Experience 1 - Infants, Toddlers, and Families (1)


• ● EDEC 6560: Curriculum, Literacy, & Exceptional Learners in Preprimary Grades (3)


• ● EDEC 6561: Field Experience 2 - Preprimary (1)


• ● EDEC 6570: Literacy in Early Childhood Education (3)


• ● EDEC 6571: Field Experience 3 - Literacy in Primary Grades (1)


• ● EDEC 7570: Assessment & Differentiated Instruction in Early Childhood (3)

*Field experiences must be taken at the same time as their corresponding methods course (co-requisite)

Total Hours for the Program: 19

Candidates engage with children and families in a variety of diverse settings in clinical field experiences, which include observing, engaging, and teaching lessons with infants/toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, and primary classrooms in multiple settings across the region.

Candidates work with quality mentor teachers who serve as models, offer opportunities to teach and practice skills, and provide guidance and feedback. 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.

Some field experience placements are already set up, which make it easier because:

• ● Candidates do not have to find their own placement that is approved


• ● Candidates are together to support each other


• ● The schools/teachers are familiar with our program, guidelines, and requirements

Candidates may be able to find their own placements for some field experiences; however, the following guidelines must be met:

• ● Field experiences must occur at the designated course grade level


• ● School/center sites must be high quality, licensed, and approved by university supervisor (or on the approved list)


• ● Sites must be located in a safe neighborhood within a 20-mile radius of the GSU campus


• ● Candidates, directors/principals, and mentor teachers must follow our field experience guidelines


• ● Candidates are responsible for getting an MOU agreement with their center/school


• ● Placement site and day/time must be finalized and approved by the university supervisor and the school prior to the start of the second week of the semester

• 1) Requirements:


• a. University graduate school requirements (visit Graduate Admissions)


• b. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (2.0-2.74 GPA may be accepted with conditions)


• 2) To apply, candidates must submit the following:


• a. Application to GSU graduate school


• b. Current resume


• c. Official transcripts


• d. Valid teaching license (Professional Educator License - PEL)

For more information regarding the requirements for admission to this program, visit the GSU Graduate Admissions webpage.

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

• ● Attain a GPA of 3.0 or better in all Professional Education 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