Early Childhood Education Major

(with Washington State Teacher Certification)

This major is intended to prepare students to become birth through grade 3 teaching specialists. As it is less than a 60-credit major it requires a minor or second major. Students who elect to complete this major for a teacher certification endorsement in early childhood education are strongly advised to simultaneously complete the elementary education major (see a department advisor as to how this may be effectively accomplished). Students seeking the teacher certification endorsement in early childhood education must complete Teacher Certification and Professional Education Program requirements. Successful completion of EDEC 492 and EDEC 493 (minimum of 12 credits) is expected before student teaching. Majors and minors will complete program as a learning cohort (beginning fall or winter quarter) EDEC 492 and EDEC 493 concurrently and then either course may be repeated individually. Candidates must be fully admitted to the major prior to beginning the six quarter cohort sequence. Students enrolling in any course with a field experience must have a current WSP and FBI fingerprint and background clearance on file with CWU. Please check with the CWU Teacher Certification Office (Black Hall, room 228; 509-963-2660) regarding clearance.

(without Washington State Teacher Certification)

A student may complete the Early Childhood Education major without gaining entry to the Teacher Certification Program or completing the Professional Education Program. Under such circumstances a teacher certification endorsement in early childhood will not be granted. This option exists for those individuals who wish to work with young children in birth-age 8 settings that do not require teacher certification. Candidates must be fully admitted to the major or minor prior to beginning the six quarter cohort sequence. While full application to the Teacher Certification Program is not required, students enrolling in any Early Childhood Education Program class that has a field experience, must have current WSP/FBI fingerprint and background clearance. Please check with the CWU Teacher Certification Office (Black Hall, room 228; 509-963-2660) regarding clearance.

Required Courses

• EDEC 306 - Professional Growth and Expectations Credits: (2)
• EDEC 307 - Equity, Culture, and Anti-bias in ECE Credits: (3)
• EDEC 312 - Childhood Learning Credits: (3)
• EDEC 313 - Materials and Manipulatives in ECE Credits: (3)
• EDEC 314 - Learning through Play Credits: (3)
• EDEC 321 - Curriculum I Credits: (3)
• EDEC 322 - Parent Involvement Credits: (3)
• EDEC 411 - Curriculum II Credits: (3)
• EDEC 412 - Responsible Childhood Assessment Credits: (3)
• OR  EFC 315 - Educational Assessment Credits: (3)
• EDEC 422 - Classroom Management in an ECE Classroom Credits: (3)
• OR  EFC 350 - Classroom Management Credits: (3)
• EDEC 424 - Curriculum III Credits: (3)
• EDEC 432 - Theories in Child Development Credits: (3)
• EDEC 492 - Senior Seminar Credits: (3)
• EDEC 493 - Professional Educators Field Experience Credits: (3-18)

Total Credits: 50

College and Department Information

Education, Development, Teaching and Learning Department  
College of Education and Professional Studies