Inclusive Early Childhood Education (B.A.)

West Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education. The Inclusive Early Childhood Education major prepares students to teach in inclusive preschool and kindergarten classrooms, with certification areas in preschool and kindergarten general education and preschool and kindergarten special needs. The program also prepares students to work as developmental specialists and service coordinators in early intervention. Students who complete the program may also be successful in obtaining employment in the following areas and roles: childcare teacher or director, child life specialist, child development consultant, early childhood education consultant, and curriculum coordinator. 

 

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Major is nationally accredited. Students complete a minimum of 124 credit hours of coursework including general studies, early childhood education, special education, education, community education, and reading. In order to prepare students to work in a range of inclusive early childhood settings, coursework and field placements include a strong emphasis on special education, early childhood special education, child development, and reading. 

Admission Process

See the Teacher Education Student Policy Manual for each admission point requirement. Each admission point is a formal admittance using an electronic application located on the Teacher Education website.

1. Admission Point 1: Admission to the Teacher Education Program

2. Admission Point 2: Admission to Residency Semester i

3. Admission Point 3: Admission to Residency Semester II (Professional Semester)

4. Admission Point 4: Graduation and Certification 

Teaching Certification

To qualify for West Virginia teaching certification, each graduate must also pass all of the required Praxis II tests for the subject area that he or she intends to teach. A list of the required Praxis II tests, along with the required passing scores, is available at the ETS website (http://www.ets.org/praxis) or the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) web site.

Graduates may obtain certification packets at the dean’s office or by requesting a packet from WVDE. Fingerprinting must be completed at a WVDE approved location.

Required Courses and Professional Components

Content Specialization Courses

EDUC 205Integrated Arts for Elementary Teacher

3

EED 280Early Childhood Development

3

EED 301Designing Effec Lrng Environme

3

EED 330Assessment in Early Education

3

EED 380Developm Approp Pract & Curr

3

HE 466Health & Safety Methods & Materials for Elementary Teachers

2

PE 343Physical Education for Multi-Sub Teachers

2

READ 312Phonics & Word Structure Know

3

READ 412Structured Language

3

SPED 341Policies & Procedures in Special Education

3

SPED 348C&M Assess for Behavior Needs

3

SPED 352C&C Assess Functional Needs

3

SPED 360Home-Based Interventions

3

SWK 403Family and Child Welfare

3

CEP 452Reggio Emilia & Other Approaches

3

Professional Component Education

EDUC 100Introduction to Professional Education

1

EDUC 201Human Development

3

EDUC 207Foundations of Educ

3

EDUC 290Instructional Technology

3

EDUC 301Educational Psychology

3

SPED 241Introduction to Exceptionalities

3

Residency Semester I

EDUC 463Instr Desgn Assess Elem Tchr

3

READ 417Lang Arts M&M for Elem Tchrs

3

SPED 412Collab Techni Elem Stud Except

3

SPED 401Autism I: Charact of Autism

3

Residency Semester II

EDUC 409School Law & Org

1

EDUC 470Professional Seminar

1

EDUC 485Residency II

10

SPED 402Autism II: Assess & Intrvn

3