Program Description
The BAS in Early Childhood Education provides the student with a broad base of academic experiences in the subject areas necessary for teachers of young children Pre-Kindergarten to 3rd grade. Coursework includes foundations of education, elementary math and science courses, educational assessment, psychology, special education, technology and literature courses. The student will have opportunities to practice skills being learned during field experiences in the Preschool and K-3 setting.
Students are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.65 before enrolling in upper division courses (3000 and above). Before graduation students will be required to pass the Education of Young Children Praxis.
General Education Requirements
| Writing Level I (WR1) |
3 credits |
| Writing Level II (WR2) |
3 credits |
| American & Wyoming Government (POLS 1000) |
3 credits |
| MATH/APPM |
(in program) |
| ARTS/HUM/IT/LSCI |
(in program) |
| ORAL |
(in program) |
| SOC |
(in program) |
| UNST |
1 credits |
| Gen Elec * |
(in program) |
* General Elective course EDEL-2280 Literature for Children included in the program
Program Requirements
Lower Level Requirements
| BIOL 1020 | Life Science | 4 credits |
| COMM 2010 | Public Speaking | 3 credits |
| COMM 2130 | Human Relations | 3 credits |
| EDEC 1020 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 credits |
| EDEC 1100 | Observation and Guidance of Young Children | 3 credits |
| EDEC 1300 | Curriculum Planning and Development for Young Children | 2 credits |
| EDEC 1305 | Curriculum Planning/Dev Young Child Lab | 1 credits |
| EDEC 2000 | Engaging Families in Early Childhood Education Settings | 3 credits |
| EDEC 2200 | Early Childhood Practicum | 3 credits |
| EDEL 2140 | Teaching Literacy in the Elem School | 3 credits |
| EDEL 2280 | Literature for Children | 3 credits |
| EDEX 2484 | Intro to Special Education | 3 credits |
| EDFD 1101 | Intro to Education | 2 credits |
| EDFD 2100 | Educational Psychology | 3 credits |
| EDST 2550 | Educational Assessment | 3 credits |
| FCSC 2121 | Child Development | 3 credits |
| ITEC 2360 | Teaching With Technology | 3 credits |
| MATH 1100 | Number and Operations for Elementary School Teachers | 3 credits |
| MATH 1105 | Data, Probability and Algebra for Elementary School Teachers | 3 credits |
| PSYC 1000 | General Psychology | 4 credits |
Upper Level Requirements
| EDCI 3130 | Teaching Social Studies in Elementary School | 2 credits |
| EDCI 3140 | Teaching Reading in Elementary | 2 credits |
| EDCI 3150 | Teaching Math in Elementary School | 2 credits |
| EDCI 3160 | Teaching Science in Elementary | 2 credits |
| EDEC 3220 | School Programs for Young Children | 3 credits |
| EDEC 4320 | Oral and Written Language Acquisition | 3 credits |
| EDEC 4350 | Health Management Issues in Early Education | 3 credits |
| EDEC 5230 | Curriculum and Materials for Children with Disabilities | 3 credits |
| EDEC 5250 | Legal Issues in Early Childhood Special Education | 2 credits |
| EDEL 4500 | Residency in Teaching | 11 credits |
| EDEL 4500 | Residency in Teaching | 11 credits |
| EDEX 3340 | Differentiating Instruction in Diverse Classrooms | 3 credits |
| FCSC 3220 | Multicultural Influences on Children and Families | 3 credits |
| FCSC 4124 | Families of Young Children with Special Needs | 3 credits |
EDEL 4500 is a class that students are required to take two times as part of their graduation requirements. During each of these classes they are taking different methods classes concurrently with this course.
Outcomes
These program outcomes come from the InTASC and NAEYC standards for educators.
1. Describe how learners grow and develop individually within all the developmental domains. Learner Development.
2. Compare individual learning differences and diverse cultures and communities. Learning Differences.
3. Describe environments that support individual and collaborative learning, positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. Learning Environments.
4. Apply knowledge of content to create meaningful learning experiences. Content Knowledge.
5. Describe learning activities that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving. Application of Content.
6. Compare multiple methods of assessment to inform instruction and planning. Assessment.
7. Create inclusive learning activities, drawing upon knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards. Planning for Instruction.
8. Summarize observations of instructional strategies. Instructional Strategies.
9. Describe how self-evaluation and ethical guidelines influence early childhood practice. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice.
10. Collaborate with families, communities, teachers, peers and school professionals. Leadership and Collaboration.