Overview
The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Early Childhood Education degree program is structured to prepare students to work in a variety of settings involving young children, is designed according to national and state requirements, and is based on the competencies and guidelines established by the following:
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- Child Development Associates Competency Standards (CDA).
- California Child Development Permit Matrix.
- California Pre-Kindergarten Learning Development Guidelines.
- National Head Start Association (NHSA)
The program is based on a conceptual framework of current theory, contemporary perspectives and sound research findings. Focus is on knowledge, attitudes, skills, practice, reflection and field experiences needed to become efficient, competent, and effective professionals in the field of early childhood education. Emphasis is on designing appropriate learning environments, individual and adaptive curricula, and instructional strategies and techniques to maximize learning outcomes.
Topics demonstrated, both in writing and discussion, provide a broad-based foundation of child development in the areas of familial and socio-cultural influences on learning and brain development, parent empowerment, peer cooperation and collaboration, early cognition, emerging literacy (listening, speaking, reading and writing), ongoing participant observation and appropriate developmental screening assessments, child advocacy, law and ethics, and, most important, play as pedagogy.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, candidates will be able to:
- demonstrate understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on children's development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging.
- demonstrate orally and in writing, knowledge, understanding and value of the importance and complex characteristics of children's families and communities.
- understand and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible manner in partnership with families and other professionals to positively influence children's development and learning.
- design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
- use positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.
- use a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children's development and learning.
- understand the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas including academic subjects and identify resources to deepen their understanding.
- use their own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for all young children.
- use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
Requirements
Degree Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at National University and 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level. In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy total units for the degree.
Refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.
Preparation for the Major
(4 courses; 18 quarter units)
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology*
ECE 201 Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood
ECE 210 Child, Family, School and Community
(Prerequisites: PSY 100 and ECE 201)
HED 220 Health, Nutrition and Safety
(Prerequisites: PSY 100 and ECE 201)
*May be used to meet a general education requirement.
Requirements for the Major
(10 courses; 45 quarter hours)
ECE 464 Legal and Ethical Issues in Early Childhood
(Prerequisite: HED 220)
ECE 310 Cultural Pluralism: Impact on Early Childhood Development and Education
ECE 330 Early Cognition
(Prerequisites: ECE 201, ECE 210, HED 220 and ECE 310)
ECE 410 Language Acquisition and Emergent Literacy
(Prerequisite: ECE 330)
ECE 415 Emergent Curriculum: Designing Curriculum Units for Young Children
(Prerequisite: ECE 330)
ECE 420 Nature, Numbers and Technology for Teaching Young Children
(Prerequisite: ECE 330)
ECE 430 Play as Pedagogy
(Prerequisite: ECE 330)
ECE 440 Participant Observations of Young Children for Assessment and Curriculum Planning
(Prerequisites: ECE 330, ECE 415, and ECE 430)
ECE 445 Meeting Challenges in a Dynamic Learning Environment: Effective Strategies in Guiding Behaviors in Young Children
(Prerequisites: ECE 330, ECE 415, and ECE 430)
ECE 450 Seminar/Practicum in Early Childhood Education
(Prerequisite: Student must have successfully completed all major courses with an average grade of "C" (2.0) or better in the core and have approval from his/her faculty mentor.)
Upper-Division Electives or Concentration Requirements
(6 courses; 27 quarter units)
Candidates may choose one concentration or a combination of approved elective courses within the concentrations. In addition, students may choose ECE 312, ECE 314 and ECE 490 in combination of approved elective courses within either concentration
ECE 312 Infant and Toddler Care
(Prerequisites: ECE 330 and ECE 430)
ECE 314 Creative Experiences with Infant and Toddlers
(Prerequisite: ECE 312)
ECE 490 Guided Studies in Early Childhood Development
(1.5 – 4.5 quarter units)
Concentration in Teacher Education
(354)
Candidates must successfully complete the following courses for a Concentration in Teacher Education in Early Childhood Education. It is recommended that students take these classes after completing the upper-division major requirements and when they are within six (6) months of completing their degree program.
This concentration allows currently enrolled students who are completing their last six courses to register for three prerequisites – HED 602, EDX 1201X, and, EXC 625 – for the California teaching credential program as electives.
Students must complete graduate level coursework taken as part of the BAECE degree with a grade of "B" or better. This coursework will not transfer as graduate level credit to National University or any other University as it is part of an undergraduate degree program. Grades earned in graduate level courses will be calculated as part of the student's undergraduate grade point average.
ECE 446 Literature and the Young Child: Read Alouds and Storytelling
HED 602 Introductory Health Education: K-12
EDX 1201X Computer Based Technology in the Classroom
EXC 625 Exceptional Children in the Classroom
ECE 435 Music, Movement, Drama and Dance
ART 400 Expressive and Integrative Art
(Prerequisites waived for ECE Majors)
Concentration in Early Childhood Administration
(353)
Students must successfully complete the following courses for a concentration in Early Childhood Administration. It is
recommended that students take these classes toward the end of their program after completing the upper-division major requirements.
ECE 461 Intentional Leadership and the Art of Supervision
ECE 460 Administrating Early Childhood Programs
ECE 462 Financial Management and Resources
HRM 432 Recruiting, Selection, Promotion, and Retention
ECE 466 Planning the Physical Environment for the Young Child
HUB 401 Conflict Resolution
(Prerequisites: ENG 100, ENG 101 and PSY 100)