This NCATE-certified program deals with the development of young children, from birth to age eight, and their families. It features four years of intense, hands-on experience, with students working side-by-side with faculty and supervising teachers as they apply theory to practice. Students draw on specialized campus resources such as the Early Childhood Curriculum Lab, the Children's Literature Book Room, the Assistive Technology Center, the UMF Nursery School, the UMF Infant Toddler Program, and the Sweatt-Winter Community Child Care Center. UMF works closely with several nearby agencies that provide real-world experience for first-year students as well as seniors. Graduates are prepared for positions in infant-toddler, Early Head Start and pre-school programs. Students who complete this program will earn a kindergarten through grade three certification, which allows them to teach in the public school systems.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
For essential requirement information about PRAXIS, student
teaching, and graduation, see
Early Childhood General Information on Requirements
Entry Level Professional Experiences Required
ECH 150 Introduction and Observation in Early
Childhood Education 4
ECH 192 Introductory Practicum or
ECH 293 Intermediate Seminar and Practicum
in Early Childhood Education 4
Mid-Level Professional Experiences Required
EDU 202 Practicum and Seminar in K-8
Education 4
ECH 232 Social Science for Young Children 4
ECH 250 Infants and Toddlers: Development
and Care 4
ECH 336 Development of Mathematical Concepts
in Young Children 4
ECH 384 Science Education for Young Children 4
Advanced Level Professional Experiences Required
EDU 433 Reading, Language Arts and Children's
Literature for K-3 6
ECH 450 Senior Seminar: Research in Early
Childhood Education 4
SED 360 Teaching Exceptional Students in the
Regular Classroom 4
ECH 460 Student Teaching and Seminar in Early
Childhood Education K-3 16
Electives: Choose two (8 credits)
ECH 367 Administration of Early Childhood
Programs 4
ECH 420 Planning Environments for Young
Children 4
ECH 430 Theories of Learning and Curriculum
Development 4
ECH 440 Children, Families and Communities 4
ECH 477 Special Topics in Early Childhood
Education 1-4
Additional Courses
PSY 225S Child and Adolescent Development 4
Additional K-3 endorsement requirements
ENG XXX Elective (Students who have taken
ENG 100 will need to take one literature course
ENG courses with an 'H' designation)] 4
MAT 103M Mathematical Content for Elementary
School Teachers I 4
MAT 104M Mathematical Content for Elementary
School Teachers II 4
Total credits for the Major: 80
NOTE: In order to receive State of Maine certification for K-3, graduates must earn:
1) a minimum of six credits in social studies in the following disciplines: anthropology, geography, history, economics or political science. These credits can be earned through general education requirements. Students should select courses from two different disciplines. (Psychology, sociology and women's studies courses do NOT fulfill this state requirement.)
2) a minimum of six credits in English. These credits can be earned through the general education Humanities requirement. Students should choose English courses with an 'H' designation.
3) a minimum of six credits in Mathematics. These credits can be earned in part through the general education Math requirement and may be completed with the courses MAT 103M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers I and MAT 104M Mathematical Content for Elementary School Teachers II.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.
MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE 128
