Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School Education
Objectives for Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School
The Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School Education Programs integrate a grounding in the liberal arts and sciences with a comprehensive foundation in pedagogy that results in preparation of highly competent teachers. The department's strength rests in its underlying philosophy that supports the development of educators who are reflective, person-centered practitioners able to effectively construct, articulate, and apply educational theory and research so as to be responsive to current and future educational needs of the individuals and families they serve.
The department prepares its graduates to be teachers of Early Childhood (grades P-2), teachers of Elementary (grades 1-6), and teachers of Middle School (grades 5-8).
Program of Study
All teacher education majors graduate with two majors. One in Education and one in Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Liberal Arts and Science major is required of all future teachers by Fitchburg State College.
Teacher education majors (Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School) place emphasis on college coursework that honors cultural, racial, linguistic and social diversity. No less than 39 semester hours of coursework is integrated with a variety of field-based experiences in schools. Student field-based experiences begin early in the majors and are enhanced by strong departmental collaboration with exemplary schools and practitioners in the region. Many students enjoy opportunities to foster attitudes and skills for creative, collegial teaching in the diverse and changing environment of our McKay Campus School, an elementary school on the college campus.
The Early Childhood Club, Education Club, S.E.A.M., a student chapter of M.T.A. and Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society offer students the opportunity to grow professionally while meeting with students of similar interests.
Requirements for the Major in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School
Majors in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School Education also require a major in the Interdisciplinary Studies major. See the IDIS major for Middle School Education.
Requirements for Initial Teacher Licensure
For information about undergraduate requirements in teacher preparation, see the section titled: Teacher Preparation Programs (Undergraduate).
A student denied admission to the practicum can appeal to the appropriate department chair and Dean of Education.
Early Childhood Education (P-2)
Required Courses
EDUC 1021 Orientation to Education
EDUC 1100 Early Childhood Foundations
EDUC 1600 Behavioral Science in Early Childhood I
EDUC 2100 Reading in Early Childhood Education
EDUC 2200 Language Arts in Early Childhood Education
EDUC 2400 Fine Arts in Early Childhood Education
EDUC 3100 Science, Math, and Social Studies in Early Childhood Education
EDUC 4050 Senior Seminar in Early Childhood Education
EDUC 4862 Practicum in Early Childhood Education I
EDUC 4863 Practicum in Early Childhood Education II
External Requirements
Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution which includes:
BIOL 1000 Life Science I or
BIOL 1100 Life Science II
HIST 1000 World Civilization I or
HIST 1100 World Civilization II or
HIST 1150 World Civilization III
HIST 1400 US History I or
HIST 1500 US History II
PHYS 1100 Physical Science I or
PHYS 1200 Physical Science II
PSY 1100 General Psychology or
PSY 2200 Human Growth and Development
Interdisciplinary Studies Major
Elementary Education (1-6)
Required Courses
EDUC 1021 Orientation to Education
EDUC 2710 Principles and Practices in Education
EDUC 2750 Science in Education
EDUC 3020 Teaching Mathematics
EDUC 3030 Reading in Education
EDUC 3401 Language Arts in Education
EDUC 3500 Creative Arts in Elementary Education
EDUC 3600 Social Studies in Education
EDUC 3640 Reading in the Content Areas
EDUC 4110 Foundations Seminar
EDUC 4882 Practicum in Elementary I
EDUC 4883 Practicum in Elementary II
External Requirements
Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution which includes:
BIOL 1000 Life Science I or
BIOL 1100 Life Science II
HIST 1000 World Civilization I or
HIST 1100 World Civilization II or
HIST 1150 World Civilization III
HIST 1400 US History I or
HIST 1500 US History II
MATH 1400 Mathematics Across the Curriculum
PHYS 1100 Physical Science I or
PHYS 1200 Physical Science II
PSY 1100 General Psychology or
PSY 2200 Human Growth and Development
PSY 2210 Child Psychology or
Interdisciplinary Studies Major
Middle School Education (5-8)
Required Courses (39 credits)
EDUC 1021 Orientation to Education
EDUC 2710 Principles and Practices in Education
EDUC 3070 Middle School Concept
EDUC 3300 Curriculum and Instruction in the Middle School
EDUC 3650 Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
EDUC 4010 Seminar: Foundations in Education
EDUC 4885 Practicum in Middle School I
EDUC 4886 Practicum in Middle School II
SPED 3500 Behavior Management
SPED 3800 Secondary Progress for Adolescents with Disabilities
Two of the following, consistent with Interdisciplinary Track
EDUC 3020 Teaching Mathematics and
EDUC 2750 Science in Education or
EDUC 3600 Social Studies in Education and
EDUC 4100 Language Arts in Education
External Requirements
Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution which includes:
BIOL 1000 Life Science I or
BIOL 1100 Life Science II
HIST 1000 World Civilization I or
HIST 1100 World Civilization II or
HIST 1150 World Civilization III
HIST 1400 US History I or
HIST 1500 US History II
MATH 1400 Mathematics Across the Curriculum
(Majors who elect Math as a content area for their Interdisciplinary Major may elect another math course to substitute for Math Across the Curriculum.
PHYS 1100 Physical Science I or
PHYS 1200 Physical Science II
PSY 1100 General Psychology
PSY 2230 Adolescent Psychology
Interdisciplinary Studies Major in two content areas consistent with Middle School Teacher Licensure sought.
Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Licensure Endorsement Certificate
This certificate program will be available to Fitchburg State undergraduates who have been awarded degrees within the last calendar year, have successfully completed all the degree requirements of the undergraduate education program in which they seek licensure except student teaching and have successfully passed all Massachusetts Department of Education tests required for initial licensure. Completion of this certificate makes a candidate eligible for endorsement and does not lead to a second bachelor's degree. The dean of Education will review individuals who receive this certificate for endorsement. If these students are endorsed, they will receive the official The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education/State endorsement statement related to their individual initial licensure on their official transcript.
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