Early Childhood Studies - Bachelor of Science (Non-Licensure Program)

This program is intended primarily to meet the needs of adult students currently working in the field, as early childhood teachers (infant/toddler through preschool in programs outside of the public schools). The program addresses the current movement in early childhood education towards requiring teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree. This Early Childhood Studies program is designed to meet this need and also to provide currently employed teachers with the rich resources that exist at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School of Education, and in the Creative Arts in Learning program. Students completing this 30-credit Early Childhood Studies program, along with a liberal arts concentration and the general education requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, would be eligible to earn a bachelor of science degree.

This program resides within the Education Department at 27 Mellen Street, Cambridge. All student inquiries and concerns should be directed to Lisa Fiore, Chair; lfiore@lesley.edu.

Requirements

I. Required Early Childhood Studies Courses (19 Credits):

CEDUC 4188	Sheltered English Instruction: Pre-K - 6	4
EEDUC 5131	Developments in Cultural Contexts	3
EEDUC 5138	Literacy, Literature, and the Arts in the Early Childhood Classroom	3
EEDUC 6109	Observation, Documentation, and Assessment	3
EEDUC 5139	Learning Mathematics in Early Childhood	3

Choose ONE:

EEDUC 6058	Anti-Bias Communities in Early Childhood	3
	OR
CEDUC 4350	Embracing Diversity in Classroom Communities	3

II. Field Experience (4 Credits):

CEDUC 3721

Field Experiences in Learning Environments

III. Early Childhood Studies Specialization (9 Credits):

Select three courses in one of the specialization areas listed. One of the courses should be EEDUC 5120 or EARED 6002.

Working with Infants and Toddlers

EEDUC 5120	Young Children with Special Needs	3
CEDUC 4360	Working with Parents and Children in Integrated Early Childhood Settings	3
CEDUC 3360	Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers	3
CPSYC 3407	Critical Issues in Infancy	3

Working with Children with Special Needs

CEDUC 2710	Effective Classroom Climate Strategies for Pre K-6	3
EEDUC 5057	Introduction to D.I.R. (Floortime): A Developmental Model for the Special Child	3
EARED 6002	Integrated Arts Strategies for Inclusive Settings	2-3
CPSYC 3407	Critical Issues in Infancy	3

Working with Preschool Children

EEDUC 5815	Innovative Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education Seminar	3
EEDUC 5300	Environment and Materials in Reggio-Inspired Teaching and Learning	3
EEDUC 6139	A Pedagogy of Play	3
EEDUC 5130	Early Childhood STEAM and Health	3
EEDUC 5120	Young Children with Special Needs	3
	OR
EARED 6002	Integrated Arts Strategies for Inclusive Settings	2-3
CEDUC 2710	Effective Classroom Climate Strategies for Pre K-6	3

EEDUC 5120 and EARED 6002: Only one of EEDUC 5120 or EARED 6002 may be taken to fulfill this specialization requirement.

Integrated Teaching through the Arts

EARED 6002	Integrated Arts Strategies for Inclusive Settings	2-3
EARED 5010	Creative Movement: Kinesthetic Learning Across the Curriculum	3
EARTS 5351	Cultural History Through Storytelling	3
EARTS 6105	Multiple Perspectives Through Music	3
EARED 6116	Early Childhood Arts, History and Social Science	3

IV. Liberal Arts Concentration (15 Credits):

AINTD 2008	Transition Seminar: Lives in Context	3
CWRIT 2250	Writing Workshop	3
CPSYC 2401	Child Psychology	3
CPSYC 2421	Introduction to Counseling	3
CPSYC 3427	Family Interventions	3

AINTD 2008: required for LCAL students who opt to complete the Liberal Studies degree or concentration.
CWRIT 2250: Students may transfer in writing or have met the writing requirement and be able to waive this course. However, students who have been out of school for a while or with insufficient writing skills are encouraged to take this course. The PLA course also requires a high level of writing as students are required to write essays to document prior learning.
AWRIT 4010: The PLA Prep course and process is an additional option for students to gain credits for their work and life experiences. Students may receive up to 45 credits through this method, including a maximum of 15 credits in the Early Childhood Studies major. Portfolios are reviewed and assessed for final credit awards.

Liberal Arts Requirements	42
Remaining General Electives (via online, PLA, transfer or other)	31
Total Required Credits for Degree	120