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Inclusive Education — Early Childhood Education (P–3)
Degree
BS in Inclusive Education — Early Childhood Education
School
Department
At a Glance
Study inclusive early childhood education and effectively develop the skills to teach young students in diverse classrooms. This traditional four-year program combines liberal arts, education theory, and fieldwork, including a semester of supervised classroom teaching. You’ll benefit from the extensive support and knowledge of dedicated faculty mentors along your journey. You can also begin taking graduate courses during your undergraduate program to qualify for New Jersey certifications in special education, English as a second language, or teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing.
Undergraduate Program Options
Major
Inclusive Education — Early Childhood Education, BS
Select one of 12 approved content areas for the dual major: African American studies; art; biology; English; history; integrative STEM education; mathematics; music; psychology; sociology; Spanish; or women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.
The program is pending final approval from the NJ Department of Education.
Teacher Certification
As a student in this inclusive education program, you can qualify for New Jersey certification in grades P–3 and K–6. You can continue your studies at TCNJ to be eligible for certification in the following areas: teacher of students with disabilities, teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing: oral/aural communication, teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing: sign language communication, English as a second language, and bilingual/bicultural education.
Accelerated/Dual-Degree Program Options
Get a jumpstart and enter the workforce with a master’s degree. Accelerated options get you there faster and more affordably through fewer semesters of classes. Dual degrees offer a streamlined path to earning two degrees, often with direct admission to the graduate portion. These five-year (4+1) programs also qualify students for New Jersey certifications.
Inclusive Education + Special Education, BS/MAT
Inclusive Education + Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, BS/MAT
Inclusive Education + Teaching English as a Second Language, BS/MEd
You’ll Benefit From:
- Small classes, dedicated instructors, and state-of-the-art learning spaces
- Option for a minor in environmental sustainability education
- Global student teaching opportunities
- Early field experiences and community-based projects with local schools
- Opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research across the curriculum
- Involvement in student groups and organizations to explore your interests and build your network
Teaching Careers
You’ll be prepared to teach in all learning environments and will practice skills in preservice experiences across a range of settings, communities, and types of schools. All programs and courses reflect state and national standards, with special emphasis on the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, Common Core, and Next Generation Science Standards.
If you plan to pursue endorsements or teaching certificates beyond what is specifically awarded by your academic program, you should contact the State of New Jersey Department of Education directly for details about any additional courses or standardized tests that may be required.
Course Sequence
As an early childhood education student, you’ll not only learn best teaching practices for young children but also acquire a broad liberal arts education. You will take early childhood education courses that allow you to observe and participate in preschool and elementary classrooms in various diverse school settings. During these courses, you will learn about children’s literature and child and adolescent development while acquiring skills in teaching math, science, and literacy. You will also be introduced to inclusive education with foundation courses in special education and English as a second language.
As a junior, you will take advanced pedagogy courses in literacy, social studies/multicultural education, and integrated learning. Finally, as a senior, you will teach under the guidance of a classroom teacher and conduct an inquiry project related to your in-classroom experience in conjunction with the capstone seminar. Some students elect to do part of their senior student teaching abroad as part of the Global Student Teaching program; interested students must apply during their junior year.
Throughout your coursework and field experiences, you will gain valuable experience in planning, organizing, and directing the learning experiences of young children.
Student Teaching
The student teaching experience enables you to participate in a full semester of supervised classroom teaching. TCNJ students are generally placed at schools that participate in the college’s Professional Development School Network and are located within a 30- to 35-mile radius of campus.
You can also participate in the Global Student Teaching program during the fall or spring semester of your senior year. Global placements are available in locations such as South Africa, Spain, Croatia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Holland, and Thailand. (Please contact the Support for Teacher Education Programs office for a current list of countries and opportunities). The Global Student Teaching program is jointly supervised by faculty from TCNJ and the host institution; you will spend seven weeks at an American school abroad and finish your semester at a local elementary school in New Jersey.
Experiential Learning
This program integrates liberal arts study, education theory and practice, and extensive fieldwork, including a semester of supervised classroom teaching. You’ll receive guidance from faculty advisors, ensuring excellent support.
Faculty
Learn from nationally and internationally recognized early childhood education faculty who are fully engaged with their students. Your professors will know your name and teach all of your classes. You won’t find any TAs here.
An Extensive Network
Study alongside talented peers, learn from early childhood education faculty with valuable contacts in their field, and benefit from a vast alumni community that has strong professional connections and is enthusiastic about supporting students.
