Elmhurst University’s innovative program in educating young children prepares students to teach children from birth to grade 2.
Graduates will earn both an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement and an early childhood special education approval, making them highly marketable as teachers.
Program Highlights
- Students in the educating young children program begin their in-school clinical experiences early in their education, with close supervision and coordination from faculty. Courses are offered in term-length “blocks,” with each block devoted to a different developmental level.
- All candidates will earn the early childhood license with an early childhood special education approval and English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. Courses being applied toward licensure must earn grades of C- (1.7) or higher.
All students graduating with a degree in early childhood education will be eligible to receive the Gateways to Opportunity Level 5 Credential in Early Childhood. Students may be eligible for the Level 5 Infant-Toddler Credential with appropriate coursework. Applications for these credentials must be made through the Gateways to Opportunities Program upon completion of the degree program.- The new program is fully aligned with the State of Illinois’ new licensure requirements.
Recommended Course Sequence
Fall Term
- ENG 105 Composition I
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Spring Term
- EDU 104 Cultural Foundations of Education in the United States
- ENG 106 Composition II
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Fall Term
- EDU 223 Education of PK-12 Learners with Exceptionalities
- MTH 325 Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers I
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Spring Term
- MTH 326 Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers II (.50 credit)
- TEL 204 Cross-Cultural Studies for Teaching English Language Learners
- Integrated Curriculum Requirements
Fall Term (Block 1)
- EYC 300 Introduction to Curriculum, Planning and Instruction for Birth (.75 credit)
- EYC 301 Practicum I Birth-Three Natural Environments (.25 credit)
- EYC 321 Early Intervention Methods (.50 credit)
- EYC 323 Typical/Atypical Infant Toddler Assessment (.50 credit)
- EYC 326 Typical/Atypical Development of the Young Child (.75 credit)
- EYC 327 Typical/Atypical Language Development and Emergent Literacy (.75 credit)
- EYC 328 Family and Community Relationships (.75 credit)
January Term
- TEL 212 Theoretical Foundations (.75 credit)
Spring Term (Block 2)
- EYC 350 Curriculum, Instruction and Assistive Technology (.75 credit)
- EYC 352 Practicum II in Early Childhood Education (.25 credit)
- EYC 416 STEAM Curriculum for 3-5 Year Olds (.75 credit)
- EYC 412 Assessing Young Children (.75 credit)
- EYC 414 Early Childhood Special Education Methods (.75 credit)
- EYC 318 Early Intervention Internship & Seminar (elective) (.50 credit)
- TEL 317 Methods and Materials for Teaching English Language Learners (.75 credit)
- TEL 319 Linguistics in Second Language Learning (.75 credit)
Fall Term (Block 3)
- EYC 314 Elementary Methods and Materials for Literacy Learners in Diverse Primary Classrooms (.75 credit)
- EYC 341 Primary Classroom Methods in Elementary Mathematics, Science and Social Science
- EYC 450 Practicum III-Collaboration and Professional Practice
- EYC 419 Evidence-Based Elementary Classroom Assessment and Learning Environments (.75 credit)
- TEL 439 Assessment of English Language Learners (.75 credit)
- TEL 448 Inquiry and Application of Bilingual Methods I (.50 credit)
Spring Term (Block 4)
- ECE 454 A and B Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education (two 1.50 credits)
- EYC 498 Early Childhood Capstone Seminar (.25 credit)
- TEL 449 Action Research and Application of Bilingual Methods II (.25 credit)