Elementary Education - Early Childhood Add-On

Program Type
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Within a liberal arts framework, the purpose of the Elementary Education program is to prepare students with the content knowledge, theoretical background, and practical experience necessary for success as classroom teachers. Through small classes and close student-faculty interaction, the following concepts are emphasized: the ability to communicate clearly in both speech and writing, the ability to assess and address the varying needs, abilities and learning styles of all students, the ability to implement an integrated curriculum as well as employ various teaching methods and strategies, and the ability to understand the need for continuous professional growth when employed as a teacher.

The Teacher Education Program is approved by the State Department of Education in accordance with the Standards for State Approval of Teacher Education established by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification.

Related Occupations

Elementary Education majors are prepared to teach grades 2-6 and/or attend graduate school.

Requirements for Teacher Certification in Elementary Education in South Carolina (Grades 2-6)

  1. A Bachelor's Degree
  2. Completion of required courses in an approved Elementary Education Program
  3. Passing scores on the Praxis II tests required by South Carolina

Please refer to the Teacher Education Program information page for information surrounding its goals and application processes.

  1. Limestone's required Competency & General Education courses
  2. A total of 120 credit hours
  3. The required courses listed below (57 credit hours)
  4. Two history courses from HI110 or HI111; HI112 or HI113 (6 credit hours)
  5. One Lab Science course (4 credit hours)

* This major includes one AWE course (3 credit hours)

Rationale/Case Statement: The current Early Childhood program is in a teach-out. Adding this concentration allows students to become certified in Early Childhood along with the Elementary certification. Early Childhood is still a critical needs area in South Carolina schools. The courses listed below are required by SC Department of Education (SCDE) for Early Childhood certification Add-on. Twenty-seven of the 36 hours are already required in the Elementary Education major or by the General Education requirements and therefore double count. Grouping the courses with all 36 hours ensures all courses are taken as required by SCDE and that the catalog, admissions major options, and the website have accurate information for those students seeking Early Childhood certification. This option also allows the students to have more than one certification and be more marketable after graduation.  

*Offered only to Education majors.

Early Childhood (36 hours) 

Completion of all required coursework with an equivalent of a grade of “C” or better.

  • Content courses in each of the following subjects:  Mathematics, science, and social studies     (9 semester hours) 

  • Clinical Practice (ED452) *Must be in 2nd or 3rd grade: (12 semester hours)

  

Early Childhood (36 hours):

Completion of all required coursework with an equivalent of a grade of “C” or better

Required Courses

• Human Growth and Development (PS204) 3 semester hours

• Early Childhood Curriculum (EE309) 3 semester hours

• Early Childhood Methods (EE311) 3 semester hours

• Emergent Literacy (EE307) 3 semester hours

· Teaching Reading: Instructional Practices (ED303): 3 semester hours

• Content courses in each of the following subjects: Mathematics, science, and social studies 9 semester hours

· Clinical Practice (ED452) *Must be in 2nd or 3rd grade: 12 semester hours

Course Requirements

Course Code Credits
ED200 - Principles of Education 3
ED209 - Multimedia in the Classroom 3
ED300 - Field Experiences for Elementary Education 1
ED301 - Field Experiences for Education Majors 1
ED302 - Field Experiences for Education Majors 1
ED303 - Teaching Reading: Instructional Practices 3
ED304 - Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas 3
ED310 - History and Philosophy of Education 3
ED312 - Foundations of Teaching Reading 3
ED345 - Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School 3
ED346 - Methods of Teaching Science in the Elementary School 3
ED347 - Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School 3
ED349 - Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School 3
ED355 - Principles of Effective Teaching in the Elementary Classroom 3
ED401 - Classroom Assessment 3
ED412 - Diagnostic Assessment and Prescriptive Teaching of Reading 3
ED452 - Clinical Practice 12
EE213 - Creative Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education 3
EN201 - Experiences in Literature 3
GE211 - Economic Geography 3
KI315 - Physical Education for the Elementary Teacher 1
MA200 - Elementary Statistics 3
PS204 - Human Growth and Development 3
PS320 - The Exceptional Child 3
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Degree Plan Legend

DR - Degree Requirement
GE - General Education Requirement
EL - Elective
4-Year Degree Plan

Year 1 - Fall Semester

Total Credit Hours
15.00
Notes

May take HI111 instead of HI110.

Year 1 - Spring Semester

Total Credit Hours
16.00
Notes

May take HI113 instead of HI112.

Honor's Students take EN103.

Year 2 - Fall Semester

Total Credit Hours
15.00
Notes

Praxis Core must be passed or exempted in order to take courses above ED300 (unless cross-listed).

EE307 is strongly suggested for the elective.

Year 2 - Spring Semester

Total Credit Hours
15.00
Notes

Apply for Teacher Education Program.

Year 3 - Fall Semester

Total Credit Hours
16.00
Notes

Apply for Clinical Practice.

Year 3 - Spring Semester

Total Credit Hours
16.00
Notes

Take and Pass Praxis II and PLT.

Year 4 - Fall Semester

Total Credit Hours
15.00
Notes

Apply for Graduation.

Year 4 - Spring Semester

Total Credit Hours
12.00
Click here for full view of Degree Plan
Last modified
05/13/2024 - 09:39