Bachelor of Science in Education

Program Description

The B.S.Ed. Early Childhood Education program at Columbus State University provides pre-service teachers a solid knowledge base emphasizing contemporary theory and research. Students also participate in extensive field experiences in settings which reflect diverse populations of young children. The program was selected as the 1997 Distinguished Program in Teacher Education by the Georgia Association of Teacher Educators (GATE).

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

The B.S. Ed. program in Early Childhood Education leads to entry-level Georgia certification and qualifies students to teach in grades pre-kindergarten through five (P-5).

Admission Requirements

During the sophomore year, students intending to complete a teacher education program make formal application to the teacher education program. Normally, this occurs after the student has completed three semesters of full-time course work. Application is made to the COEHP Office of Student Advising and Field Experiences. For additional information, go to http://safe.columbusstate.edu/teacher_ed.php

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• maintain high levels of professionalism and ethical standards that demonstrate commitment to the teaching profession
• establish effective written and oral communication with students, teachers, administrators, and parents/families
• organize and implement differentiated instruction to support students’ performances commensurate with their levels of readiness and diverse backgrounds
• evaluate, select, and implement appropriate instructional practices related to curriculum (e.g., reading and writing) with attention to the inclusion of technology
• develop assessments and analyze assessment data for future instructional decisions

Additional Program Requirements

A review of student records is conducted each semester to determine whether a student is eligible to continue in the Teacher Education Program. Retention is based on the following:

• Maintain a CSU and Overall 2.50 GPA. If the grade point average falls below the requirement, the student has one semester to raise his/her GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirements after that semester must take additional courses other than the ones required for admission to teacher education.
• Students must earn not less than a C in field and professional courses. Only 10 percent of the professional and field courses may be repeated at CSU or another accredited college. Correspondence courses will not be accepted in field or professional courses.
• Students who fail to complete a degree program after three years from date of admission to Teacher Education will be excluded from the program and required to re-apply under current admission policies.

To be eligible for CSU's recommendation for a Georgia professional teaching certificate, students must complete a rigorous program of coursework. They also must meet certain other criteria required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Please contact the COEHP Student Advising & Field Experiences office at 706-568-2191 or 706-568-2194 for further information.

Program of Study

The Early Childhood Education program is currently being revised to comply with changes implemented by the Board of Regents. Students should see an advisor in the Office of College of Education and Health Professions Services and Field Experiences (Jordan Hall, Room 107) to obtain the most current program information.

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses:

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses: *ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
("C" or better required in each course)

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 66
("C" or better required in each course and may only attempt each course two times.)
EDEC 2000 Induction into ECE
EDRG 2156 Literature for Young Children
SPED 2256 Introduction to the Exceptional Learner in General Education

Block 1:

Block 2:

Block 3:
EDEC 4235 Science in Early Child
EDEC 4247 Math Methods, Diagnostics and Prescriptive Instruction
EDRG 4219 Diag/Perspective Reading Instruct
MAED 5132 Data Analysis & probability

Student Teaching Experience:
EDCI 4485 Student Teaching
EDUF 4115 Classroom Management

Total Hours Required: 129