Endorsement in Early Childhood Integrated Settings
Requirements for certification for preschools, kindergarten and special education through grade 3. (Also requires the completion of the elementary education major.)
Requirements
(The online endorsement requirements can be found at online.nwciowa.edu.)
EDU 229 - Introduction to Early Childhood
This course provides an overview of the field of early childhood education. Included in its overview will be the study of the historical background and current trends, child development-birth to eight years, philosophies of early childhood education teaching, and issues in early childhood education. Early childhood curriculum design in the areas of language arts, math, science, social studies and the creative arts is incorporated in this course.(3 credits)
EDU 230 - Organization and Administration of Early Childhood Programs
This course presents the knowledge of child-family-school-community relationships including familiarity with various community agencies providing services for preschool children. Research for helping develop a good early childhood program will be incorporated. Also included will be licensing procedures, physical environment, personnel and curriculum development, funding, and evaluation. Careers available in the early childhood field will be explored.Prerequisite: EDU229 or permission of instructor.(3 credits)
EDU 235 - Characteristics of Learners with Mild and Moderate Disabilities
An overview of mild/moderate disabilities including historical and theoretical perspectives. Designed for students seeking reading, unified early childhood and special education endorsements. Prerequisite: EDU206. (3 credits)
EDU 300 - Characteristics of Young Children with Diverse Needs
The purpose of this course is to assist the pre-service teacher in acquiring information and developing skills in regard to working with the young child (ages 0-8) who has special needs. This course will examine normal and atypical patterns and sequences of development in infants and toddlers in the cognitive, language, motor, social, emotional, behavioral and sensory domains. Normal and atypical etiology will be examined. Developmental delays will be examined through various assessment methods. Early identification techniques, interventions and service delivery models will be examined. The medically fragile child as well as the child with multiple disabilities will be discussed in regard to assessment, interventions and service delivery models.Prerequisites: EDU102 and 206.(3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
EDU 301 - Methods for Working with Young Children with Diverse Needs
The purpose of this course is to assist the pre-service teacher in developing methods for working with young children with special needs. This course will ask students to demonstrate mastery of the applied competencies in the unified early childhood program, focusing on interdisciplinary, inclusionary, and family centered practices.(3 credits, alternate years, consult department)
EDU 314 - Working with Parents
This course is designed to investigate approaching trends and issues pertinent in developing professional relationships between the special education staff and other individuals associated with the special needs learner.Prerequisite: EDU206.(2 credits, alternate years, consult department)
EDU 345 - Language Learning and Reading Disabilities
This course focuses on learning oral language and the implications that has for learning written language. A major part of the course is devoted to designing effective remedial education programs for Title I and special education. Special attention is paid to early intervention programs. This is an upper level course, designed for students completing reading and special education endorsements.Prerequisites: EDU326 and 343.(3 credits)
EDU 429 - Unified Early Childhood Student Teaching
This practicum endorses the student to become a teacher in an elementary multicategorical resource program for children from birth to third grade by preparing the student to schedule, evaluate, collaborate, write IEPs and IFSPs, and to develop strategies to address special needs of children. The number of weeks/credits required for student teaching will be determined by the coordinator of student teaching and the chair of the department. Prerequisite: KIN104 or current first aid and infant child CPR certification. (4-8 credits)
Cognate requirements
KIN 104 - First Aid
(1 credit) An intensive course in first aid, including lectures,demonstrations and practice in accident prevention and treatment ofinjuries. American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid and Adult/Child/InfantCPR/AED certification will be secured upon successful completion of thiscourse.Note: Graded on a pass/no pass basis.
KIN 338 - Adapted Physical Education
Developing increased knowledge and understanding of the uniqueness of individuals with special needs, acquiring the ability to select and modify tasks and experiences for selected populations, and to adjust learning opportunities to meet varied needs. Prerequisite: sophomore class standing. (3 credits; alternate years, consult department)
PSY 221SS - Developmental Psychology: Childhood
(4 credits)(IGE option under Self and Society) This course explores the development of the child from the prenatal period into adolescence. Children's physical, cognitive, emotional, personality, social, moral and faith development is examined. Psychological research methods for studying children are covered.
Total credits required: 32-37
Notes:
The online program outlined above meets requirements for the state of Iowa. Students who are teaching elsewhere should check with their state's department of education to determine if NWC's unified endorsement is comparable to and can be substituted for an endorsement in their state. The endorsement enhances your teaching license but does not lead to licensure for un-licensed educators; it is for teachers who have or are working toward a degree in elementary education.
The unified endorsement authorizes you to teach in integrated settings for children from birth to age 8. It varies from the early childhood special education endorsement, which authorizes the holder to teach in contained special education settings from birth to age 8.
Requires certification in Infant CPR and First Aid.
