Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Education Major, BA


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 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. Candidates must be fully admitted to the major prior to beginning the six-quarter 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.

Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Apply specific content understanding, theoretical knowledge, and interdisciplinary teaching practices to plan, instruct, assess, analyze, and reflect upon standards-based instruction.
  • Demonstrate appropriate professionalism in all aspects: Oral and written communication, collaboration, behavior, expressions, and attire relevant to working with children, parents, and professional colleagues in a school setting.
  • Use their learning to independently create and manage a purposeful and intentional learning environment.
  • Independently create and effectively deliver responsive and relevant curriculum.
  • Engage in the continual development of a professional growth plan with reflective adjustment.
  • Understand and implement the unique requirements of developmentally appropriate practice and domain-based learning with young children in theoretical and authentic settings.

(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 seeking the teacher certification endorsement in early childhood education must complete Teacher Certification and Secondary Education Major requirements. Successful completion of EDEC 492 and EDEC 493 (minimum of 12 credits) is expected before student teaching. 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 either the Professional Education Program or Secondary Education major. 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. 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.

Total Credits: 50


Secondary Education or Professional Education Program Credits: 50


Professional Education Program  
Secondary Education Program  

Total Credits: 100