The 128 credit-hour minimum is achievable by using specific courses that meet both general education requirements and the Early Childhood Education major curriculum requirements. We recommend students work with their academic advisors.
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education degree leads to the state of Illinois Educator Licensure in Early Childhood Education (birth – Grade 2) with an English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement. Early Childhood Education Majors must complete all requirements of the College of Education to be eligible for licensure.
Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) are general education courses Concordia-Chicago agrees to accept in lieu of comparable, lower-division general education requirements. For more information regarding IAI transfer credit, please see the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s iTransfer website at www.itransfer.org.
College of Education Graduation Requirements:
Students in the College of College of Education must meet all University requirements found in the Academic Information section of this catalog. Specific requirements of the College of Education include the following:
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all coursework completed at CUC
- A minimum GPA of 2.75 for all courses taken in the major at CUC
- A minimum grade of C- for all courses taken in a major at CUC
- A passing score on the Illinois State Licensure Test(s) (taken prior to student teaching for those seeking licensure)
- A passing score on the EdTPA (for those seeking licensure)
- A passing grade for the Student Teaching Internship
- With the exception of student teaching, courses in the education major at CUC may not be taken on the Pass/Fail grade option
- In addition to the overall minimum credits for the degree major, minor, endorsement, and special programs (Honors Program for example) requirements are also necessary if they have been declared. Deficiency in any area of the program will delay awarding of the degree and will require filing of a new intent to graduate. Students may elect to drop minors, additional endorsements, or other special programs if they present an obstacle to graduation.
Early Childhood Program General Education Requirements (47-63 hours)
All courses in the Illinois approved program must have the grade C- or higher, course in the approved program may not be taken on the Pass/Fail grade option.
Communication (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG-1100 | English Composition | 3 |
| COM-1100 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| ENG-2000 | Writing About Literature | 3 |
Humanities (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HUM-1995 | Arts and Ideas (incoming freshmen, transfer students exempt) | 3 |
| Vocation and College Success (Transfer students are exempt from this course) | ||
| HIS-1200 | History of the American People to 1877 | 3 |
| or HIS-1250 | History of the American People since 1877 | |
| Transfer students select additional one 3 credit course from the following list as needed to total nine hours of Humanities: | 3 | |
| U.S. Latina/o Literature(s) | ||
| African American Literature | ||
| Literature for Children, Adolescents & Young Adults | ||
| Survey of Church History | ||
| Encountering Religion in America | ||
Any Philosophy course | ||
Any Foreign Language course 1 | ||
| 1 | Meets Global Studies requirement. |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 9 | |
| People and Society (transfer students are exempt) | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| World Geography: Culture Patterns | ||
| Transfer students select additional courses from the following list as needed to total 9 hours of social and behavioral sciences. | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Foundations of Economics | ||
| Foundations of Ethics of American Education | ||
| Geography of North America | ||
| The Developing World | ||
| American Government and Politics | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
Global Studies (3 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GEO-1200 | World Geography: Culture Patterns | 3 |
Natural Sciences (7-8 Hours)
At least one of the transfer courses in science must include a lab. All ECE majors must take Science courses that address at least three areas of science (physical science, life science and earth/space science) and earn a C- or higher in the coursework.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSCI-1110 | Concepts in Chemistry and Biology | 4 |
| NSCI-1120 | Concepts in Physics and Earth Science | 4 |
Mathematics (3 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAT-1412 | Mathematics for Early Childhood Teachers: Geometry, Statistics, Functions | 3 |
Health/Fitness (1 Hour)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PES-1010 | Fitness and Wellness | 1 |
Theology – Public Teacher Education (6 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Course | ||
| THY-1100 | The Bible | 3 |
| Theological Course | ||
| THY-1210 | Introduction to Christianity | 3 |
Theology – Lutheran Teacher Education (21 Hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Methods Course | ||
| EDUC-4900 | Lutheran Teacher: Vocation and Methods | 3 |
| Theology Minor (2.75 GPA Required) | ||
| Lutheran Foundations 1 | ||
| Introduction to the Old Testament 2 | ||
| Introduction to the New Testament | ||
| Survey of Church History | ||
| Lutheran Theology 1 | ||
| Lutheran Theology 2 | ||
| 1 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Doctrine requirement. |
| 2 | Fulfills Gen. Ed. Theology Bible requirement. |