Overview

BA Interdisciplinary Studies Concentrating in Early Childhood Education with a California Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential

Lead Faculty: John Carta-Falsa, (858) 642-8380, jcartafa@nu.edu
Jacqueline Caesar, (858) 642 8350, jcaesar@nu.edu

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS), concentrating in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with a California Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential provides a broad, rigorous education that prepares candidates for a career as a teacher at early elementary grades. Candidates are introduced to essential knowledge, strategies, techniques and connections across the disciplines as applied to young children. Focus is on an enriched and thought-provoking curriculum that incorporates content across subject areas, specific educational methodology courses and preparation for professional work as multiple subject teachers, primarily for kindergarten through second grade.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (BAIS), concentrating in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with a California Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, candidates will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of interdisciplinary theory and practice of critical thinking for the collection, validation, analysis, and synthesis of historical data and new information;
  • explain the integration of knowledge in a global context and engage in collaborative research across disciplines;
  • identify and appreciate cultural perspectives of world views ;
  • use information communications technology for knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary approaches;
  • demonstrate a deep and flexible understanding of subject matter
  • demonstrate application of educational technology to meet the needs of all learners including those with special needs, challenging behaviors, linguistically and culturally diverse students;
  • demonstrate knowledge from prenatal to middle childhood development in order to explain how to support growth in cognitive, social, physical and emotional domains;
  • demonstrate a thorough understanding of learning needs and developmental issues of students to create positive learning environments that ensure healthy human growth;
  • demonstrate understanding through use of systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible manner to
  • design, implement, and evaluate standards-based lesson plans for learning and achievement in content areas;
  • consider students' knowledge when designing, implementing, and assessing curriculum to promote developmentally appropriate learning outcomes for all children;
  • adhere to professional standards and ethics.

Requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrating in Early Childhood Education with a California Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential, candidates 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. The following courses are specific degree requirements. Candidates must demonstrate subject-matter competency through a state-approved examination. This major is designed to help candidates for the CSET examinations. Students should refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information on admission and evaluation.

I. GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES (70.5 quarter units)
The General Education requirements are listed below

AREA A: English Communication
(15 quarter units required)

CATEGORY 1 Writing
(10.5 quarter units required)

ENG 100 Effective College English I (3 quarter units)
 (Prerequisite: Placement Exam)
ENG 101 Effective College English II (3 quarter units)
 (Prerequisite: ENG 100)
ENG 240 Advanced Composition
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)

CATEGORY 2 Speech and Communication
(4.5 quarter units required)

COM 100 Introduction to Communications

AREA B: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning.
(4.5 quarter units required)

MTH 209A Structures and Concepts of Mathematical Fundamentals I
 (Prerequisite: Placement evaluation)

AREA C: Information Literacy and Technology
(4.5 quarter units required)

ILR 260 Information Literacy and Report Writing
 (Prerequisite: ENG 100/101)

AREA D: Arts and Humanities
(13.5 quarter units required)

HIS 233  World Civilizations I
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
or
HIS 234  World Civilizations II  
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
ART 100  Introduction to Art History
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
MUS 100  Fundamentals of Music

AREA E: Social and Behavioral Sciences
(13.5 quarter units required)

HIS 220A  History of the United States I (+) (includes study of the Constitution)
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
HIS 350 Cultural Diversity (+)

Plus any course from a Social and Behavioral Sciences area.
(See General Education section of the Catalog for course offerings in this area.)

AREA F: Physical and Biological Sciences
(10.5 quarter units required with one lab)

Candidates must take 10.5 quarter units to include one laboratory component. The following are recommended:

SCI 100 Survey of Bioscience
SCI 100A Survey of Bioscience Laboratory (1.5 quarter units)
 (Prerequisite: SCI 100)
SCI 102 Survey of Physical Science

AREA G: Modern Language
(9 quarter units required)

See the General Catalog for Modern Language requirement

II. Preparation for the Major
(24 quarter units required)

LIT 100  Introduction to Literature
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
ECE 201 Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood
ECE 210  Child, Family, School and Community
 (Prerequisites: PSY 100 and ECE 201)
HIS 410  The California Experience
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
HED 220 Health, Nutrition, and Safety
 (Prerequisites: PSY 100 and ECE 201)
TED 320  Introduction to Teaching as a Profession (includes 30 hours of field experience) (1.5 quarter units)

Passage of Basic Skills Requirements Examination and TED 320 are required prior to beginning any TED coursework in the Interdisciplinary Blended Major.

III. Requirements for the Interdisciplinary Blended Major
(25 courses; 111 quarter units)

ALL Teacher Education courses (TED) and Early Childhood Education courses (ECE) have field experience components. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA within all TED coursework. Grades of "D" or "F" are not acceptable in TED courses. All major coursework must be completed and CSET passed prior to student teaching.
 
Interdisciplinary Blended Major Requirements
(20 courses; 90 quarter units)

All of the following courses must be taken:  

BIS 301  Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
MTH 301 Structure and Mathematical Foundations II
COM 380  Democracy in the Information Age
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
BIS 401 Interdisciplinary Practice:  Integrating Knowledge with Technology
 (Prerequisite: BIS 301)
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 446  Literature and the Young Child: Read Alouds and Storytelling
TED 330A  Reading and Language Arts Methods – Elementary
 (Prerequisites: Admission to the Teacher Education Program, ENG 100/101, TED 320, TED 300 and TED 310)
TED 350 Math and Science Methods
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101, TED 320)
TED 355 History and Social Science Methods
 (Prerequisites: Admissions to the Program, ENG 100/101, TED 320, TED 300 and TED 310)

Choose one from the following:

ECE 435 Music, Movement, Drama, and Dance*
ART 329 World Art
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101)
MUS 327 World Music
 (Prerequisites: ENG 100/101 )
ART 400 Expressive and Integrated Arts
*This course is strongly recommended.

Choose one from the following:

SCI 300 Geography: Mapping the World
SCI 301 Earth and Planetary Science
SCI 330 Ecology
SCI 335 Environment Science
SCI 411 Biodiversity
 (Recommended: prior completion of SCI 100 & 100A, or equivalent)
SCI 450 Natural History of California

Capstone Course
BIS 499 Interdisciplinary Studies Project
 
Student Teaching Requirements
(5 courses; 21 quarter units)

All major requirements must be completed. In addition, candidates MUST pass CSET prior to Student Teaching. RICA may be taken before or after student teaching. TED 470 and TED 465A, B, C, and D are field experience or seminar courses. Grading is by H, S, or U. This grade is not factored into the cumulative GPA.
 
TED 465A Student Teaching I
 (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all TED coursework)
TED 465B Student Teaching II
 (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all TED coursework)
TED 465C Student Teaching III
 (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all TED coursework)
TED 465D Student Teaching IV
 (Prerequisites: Completion of all upper-division course requirements, including all TED coursework)
TED 470 Student Teaching Seminar and e-Portfolio Assessment* (3 quarter units)
 *Must be taken concurrently with TED 465 A-D.

Candidates must meet all state of California requirements for the multiple and single subject credential to be recommended to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (See Credential Program Requirements)

Degree Program Locations
This degree is offered online