Early Childhood Education (PreK-2), B.S.E.

Education

The Education Department offers programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education.

Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education

Objectives for Programs in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education (Initial License)

The Education Department of Fitchburg State University fully recognizes and embraces the diversity and challenges that teachers face in today’s public and private schools. The comprehensive program of study is one which deliberately integrates and celebrates these challenges by providing an inclusive model for teacher preparation. Each course provides research-based methods to assess student needs in order to differentiate instruction. Techniques and strategies that address the needs of all learners in the inclusion classroom are emphasized. Courses have been specifically designed to provide teacher candidates with content and strategies to be knowledgeable, skillful, ethical, and caring educators in the 21st century.
 

The Department prepares its graduates to be teachers of Early Childhood (PreK-2), Elementary (1-6), Middle School (5-8), Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8) with Elementary Licensure, Special Education: Moderate Disabilities (5-12), and Severe Disabilities (all levels).

Program of Study

Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School (History, Humanities, Mathematics-Science, and General Science) and Special Education  majors graduate with two majors—one in Education and one in  Interdisciplinary Studies (IDIS).  See Interdisciplinary Studies Section for IDIS major requirements for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and Special Education majors.

Early Childhood, Elementary,  Middle School (History, Humanities, Mathematics-Science, and General Science) and Special Education majors are also required to complete an Interdisciplinary Studies minor in one of the following areas:

• African-American Studies Minor  
• American Studies Minor  
• Art Minor  
• Art History Minor  
• Asian Studies Minor  
• Biology Minor  
• Chemistry Minor  
• Entrepreneurship Minor  
• Earth Systems Science Minor  
• Geographic Science and Technology Minor  
• History Minor  
• Honors Minor  
• International Studies Minor  
• Italian Studies Minor  
• Literature Minor  
• Mathematics Minor  
• Music Minor  
• Neuroscience, Behavior, and Cognition Minor  
• Peace Studies Minor  
• Philosophy Minor  
• Political Science Minor  
• Professional Writing Minor  
• Psychological Science Minor  
• Social Science Minor  
• Sociology Minor  
• Spanish Minor  
• Studio Art Minor  
• Theater Minor  
• Women’s Studies Minor  

Middle School Education majors in the English concentration have a second major of English. Middle School Education majors in the Mathematics concentration have a second major of Mathematics. 

Education majors place emphasis on college coursework that honors cultural, racial, linguistic, and social diversity.

Field-based experiences begin freshman year and are enhanced by strong departmental collaboration with exemplary schools and practitioners in the region. During their final year in the program teacher candidates enroll in a semester long professional experience. In the semester preceding practicum they participate in a minimum of a 125-hour or a 150-hour field-based experience that is linked to pedagogical courses. This allows candidates to readily apply what they are learning in the classroom setting. Many students enjoy opportunities to foster attitudes and skills for creative, collegial teaching in the diverse and changing environment of our McKay Arts Academy, an Innovation School on the University campus.

The Education Club, the Student Association of Massachusetts (S.E.A.M.), a student chapter of M.T.A., and the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Honor Society offer students the opportunity to grow professionally while meeting with students of similar interests.

Requirements for the Major in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School and Special Education

In addition to the two majors, the Speaking/Listening requirement is met through the Practicum or Student Teaching experience.

Computer Literacy and Jr/Sr Writing Requirements are met through SPED 4300  or IDIS 4000  

Early Childhood Education (PreK-2)

Early Childhood Educators are prepared to work with young children with and without disabilities in Pre-K through grade 2 settings. They acquire a strong understanding of how young children learn developmentally and they are able to facilitate learning utilizing appropriate practices. The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure required for this program are Communication and Literacy, Early Childhood Test, and Foundations of Reading.

The plan of study is as follows (See course descriptions for pre-practicum hours required):

• SPED 2210 - Understanding Diversity and Disability 3 cr.
• EDUC 2300 - Foundations of Inclusive Education 3 cr.

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• EDUC 2600 - Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Programs for Young Children 3 cr.
• EDUC 2630 - Literacy in the Pre-K to 8 Classroom 3 cr.
• EDUC 2640 - Language Arts: Theory to Practice PreK-8 3 cr.

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• SPED 2800 - Strategies in Reading Instruction and the Assessment of Reading 3 cr.
• EDUC 2850 - Investigations in Science & Social Studies in Early Childhood Education 3 cr.
• EDUC 2910 - The Arts I: Inspiration 1 cr.
• EDUC 2920 - The Arts II: Imagination 1 cr.
• EDUC 2930 - The Arts III: Integration 1 cr.
• SPED 3400 - Teaching Mathematics to students with and without Disabilities 3 cr.

Onsite Immersion Semester (Senior Year)

courses taken concurrently

• SPED 2970 - Assessment of Students with and without Disabilities 3 cr.
• SPED 3720 - Classroom Management and Behavior Support 3 cr.
• EDUC 3740 - Onsite Immersion Field Experience 3 cr. (125 hrs)
• EDUC 3122 - Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) 3 cr.

Student Teaching (Senior Year)

courses taken concurrently

• EDUC 4550 - Collaboration: Co-Teaching, Building Communities, and Working with Families 3 cr.
• EDUC 4862 - Practicum I in Early Childhood Education 6 cr. (min. 150 hr.)
• EDUC 4863 - Practicum II in Early Childhood Education 6 cr. (min. 150 hr.)

Total: 54 cr.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements

• *  BIOL 1000 - Introduction to Life Science 3 cr. or
• *  BIOL 1050 - Life Science for Educators 3 cr.

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• Art Elective 3 cr.
• ENGL 1100 - Writing I 3 cr.
• ENGL 1200 - Writing II 3 cr.
• English Literature elective 3 cr.

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• EXSS 1000 - Health and Fitness 3 cr. or
• EXSS 2060 - Exercise, Nutrition, and Heart Disease 3 cr.

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• HIST 1000 - World Civilizations I 3 cr. or
• HIST 1100 - World Civilizations II 3 cr.

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• HIST 1400 - United States History I 3 cr. or
• HIST 1500 - United States History II 3 cr.

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• MATH 1500 - Informal Number Theory 3 cr.
• MATH 1600 - Informal Mathematical Modeling 3 cr.
• MATH 2000 - Informal Geometry 3 cr.

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• MUSC 2000 - Commonwealth of the Arts 3 cr. or
• MUSC 2100 - Commonwealth of Ancient Arts 3 cr. or
• MUSC 2120 - Commonwealth of Asian Arts 3 cr. or
• MUSC 2130 - Commonwealth of the Arts: Classical through Contemporary 3 cr. or
• MUSC 2210 - Commonwealth of the Arts: Medieval to Baroque 3 cr.

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• IDIS 4000 - IDIS Capstone Seminar: Education 3 cr.

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• PSY 1200 - Human Growth and Development 3 cr.

• *A BIOL, CHEM, PHYS, or GEOG elective with a SMT attribute (3 cr.)