Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education
Our Mission: Provide a rich and deep understanding of early childhood development informed by theory, research, and best practice.
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| Pass rate on licensure exams is 96% | Clinically supervised field experiences in homes, schools, and centers | Leads to licensure to teach children with and without disabilities aged birth through kindergarten |
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| Loan deferment programs and TEACH grants available for teachers | Opportunities to engage in Education Abroad | #1 National rank by Best online colleges for ECE in 2019 |
The early childhood education program at Kansas State University combines early childhood education and early childhood special education content knowledge and pedagogy into one blended degree program. Supervised, clinical internships working with families, infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and student teaching are an integral part of the preservice licensure program. Upon full completion of degree requirements students are eligible to apply for a Kansas teaching license in early childhood unified (birth through kindergarten).
Program Requiremements
To complete the degree, students must earn full admission into the teacher education program. After graduation, they are eligible for licensure in early childhood unified, birth through kindergarten, by the Kansas State Department of Education. The preservice teacher education program is approved by the Kansas State Department of Education and accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Graduates work with children from birth through kindergarten as teachers in public schools, private and not-for-profit childcare programs, and military or corporate early education programs. Additional career opportunities exist as education specialists, administrators and coordinators of parent education and volunteer programs in social service agencies, Head Start, and other community-based child care programs.
The pre-service program blends early childhood education and early childhood special education content knowledge and pedagogy into one program. Early childhood education students gain teaching experience in the licensed and nationally accredited, Center for Child Development, part of the Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research, an early childhood development laboratory school on campus.
Courses include:
- Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education
- Developmental Curriculum in Early Childhood Education.
- Reflective Practice: Infants and Toddlers
- Reflective Practice: Preschoolers and Kindergartners
- Home, School, Community Partnerships
Supervised, clinical internships working with infants and toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners and student teaching are an integral part of the preservice program.