Southwestern College Professional Studies

Is an Early Childhood Education Major for Me?

The need for well-qualified teachers in today’s school systems is increasing, and will continue to increase as a generation of teachers retires from the work force. Southwestern College Professional Studies offers adult learners who want to become teachers the opportunity to complete an education licensure preparation program in a format that allows a balanced approach to work, family, and educational pursuits.

Students will take one to two courses a week (Kansas only) depending on their schedule. With the exception of the student teaching requirements, all coursework can be completed during the evenings or on Saturdays, allowing learners to work while completing the degree.

Military personnel may also want to check out the Troops to Teachers web site (www.proudtoserveagain.com) which is a U.S. Department of Education and Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools.

Southwestern College is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Kansas State Department of Education.

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Required and Core Courses

Education Coursework

EDUC 212 Education Entrance Seminar (1 credit hour)
EDUC 215 Foundations of Education
EDUC 216 Diversity Field Experience (1 credit hour)
HRD 210 Building Academic Success

Early Childhood Education Requirements

EDUC 311 Introduction to Early Childhood
EDUC 325 Motor Development/Expressive Arts/Social Science
EDUC 329 Children/Adolescent Literature
EDUC 333 Teaching Young Children with Disabilities
EDUC 335 Infant Development
EDUC 336 Introduction to the Reading Process
EDUC 339 Assessment Strategies in Early Childhood
EDUC 343 Home, School, and Community Issues
EDUC 420 Oral Language Development
EDUC 425 Administration, Guidance, and Behavior
EDUC 429 Assessment in Early Childhood Intervention
EDUC 432 Technology in Special Education
EDUC 435 Science and Math

Professional Teacher Courses

Admission to Teacher Education required prior to enrolling in the following classes
EDUC 322 Educational Psychology
EDUC 323 Introduction to Exceptionalities
EDUC 440 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit hour)
EDUC 437 Elementary School Methods and Management
EDUC 446 Observation and Supervised Teaching in Early Childhood Programs (12 credit hours)
All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated

General Education Requirements

Composition: College Writing 1 and College Writing 2
Speech: Elements of Oral Communication
Math: College Algebra, or Statistics, or Higher level math
Health: Critical Issues in Health
Natural Science: At least 3 credit hours
Social Science: At least 3 credit hours
Humanities: At least 3 credit hours
Arts: At least 3 credit hours
Other Cultures: At least 3 credit hours
CLO 499 Responsibilities for the Future

Course Descriptions

EDUC 212 Education Entrance Seminar

An introductory and exploratory course for those considering education as a career. The course is designed to assist each prospective teacher in gaining a valid and comprehensive knowledge of what is involved in a teaching career. Emphasis is placed upon inquiry and personal involvement in planning an effective and successful career in education. Credit 1 hour

EDUC 215 Foundations of Education

The course explores the theories and applications of educational philosophies for students’ use in both the classroom and their professional lives. Additionally, educational institutions will be examined from historical, economic, sociological, and political perspectives.

EDUC 216 Diversity Field Experience

This course provides an opportunity for prospective teachers to observe, tutor, or mentor students in a school where there is a diverse population. Students must complete at least 20 hours of work in a school with a diverse population. (Prerequisite: EDUC 215. Must be completed prior to enrollment in EDUC 440, EDUC 447, EDUC 448, and EDUC 449) 1 Credit hour

EDUC 311 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

An introductory course for those preparing for licensure to teach in the early childhood area. This course is designed to assist each prospective teacher in gaining a valid and comprehensive knowledge of what is involved in early childhood education. Emphasis is placed upon reflection, inquiry and personal involvement in planning an effective and successful career in early childhood, and developing an understanding of how children develop and learn successfully. Current trends, issues, developmental theories, and research findings related to the education of young children will be explored.

EDUC 325 Motor Development/Expressive Arts/Social Studies

This course will examine the curricula, instructional strategies, and classroom organization for motor development, expressive arts, and social studies relevant to children aged birth through 8. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelatedness of different content areas and their successful implementation in the classroom environment. (Concurrent with EDUC 335)

EDUC 333 Teaching Young Children with Disabilities

This course is designed to prepare prospective early childhood teachers in the understanding and appreciation of young children with exceptionalities. It will provide an overview of early childhood special education including service delivery models, atypical infant/toddler development, the effects of early intervention, and characteristics and etiologies of disabilities in young children. Appropriate delivery systems, assessment, curriculum, and intervention strategies will be considered. 4 credit hours

EDUC 335 Infant Development

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to growth and development issues related to infants and toddlers and to provide experiences with the organization and management of high quality environments for infants. Appropriate play activities will be introduced.(Concurrent with EDUC 325)

EDUC 339 Assessment Strategies in Early Childhood

This course is designed to prepare teachers to conduct reliable and valid assessments of children’s growth and development in the early childhood arena. Students are introduced to and have an opportunity to practice developing formal and informal assessment devices. Practice in developing and evaluating both open and closed assessment format is also provided. Special attention is given to performance-based assessments, particularly in the context of instruction that is developmentally appropriate.(Concurrent with EDUC 343)

EDUC 329 Children/Adolescent Literature

Survey of literature K-12. Exploration of literature and relevant contemporary issues regarding literary works and pedagogy pre-K through 12th grade. Cross-listed with English.

EDUC 343 Home, School, and Community Issues

The purpose of this class is to promote the understanding that quality services for young children and their families are best ensured by establishing collaborative relationships between the home, school, program, and community. A portion of the course focuses on techniques for establishing collaborative relationships with parents and involving family members in the growth and development of the young child. Health, nutrition, and safety issues also will be explored. (Prerequisite: EDUC 311, Concurrent with EDUC 339)

EDUC 420 Oral Language Development

This course introduces prospective educators to childrens speech and language development, recognition and development of readiness skills, and appropriate methodologies for developing the communications skills of young children.

EDUC 336 Introduction to the Reading Process

Introduces prospective early childhood and elementary teachers to childrens speech and language development, the recognition and development of readiness skills, the overall scope of emergent literacy issues and an understanding of basic literacy development, appropriate methodologies for building the communication skills of students and curriculum and instructional resources that would integrate these skills in all curricular areas.

EDUC 425 Administration, Guidance, and Behavior

This course will provide an overview of the responsibilities of administrators, directors, and teachers in school and program management. Legal and financial issues also will be covered, as well as ethical aspects of early childhood programs. Additionally, students will be introduced to successful classroom management strategies.

EDUC 429 Assessment in Early Childhood Intervention

This course will focus upon the administration and interpretation of test instruments including screening tests, formal and informal tests, norm and criterion-referenced tests, and diagnostic and achievement tests. Individual assessment of developmental skills, academic achievement, adaptive behavior, and processes will be included.

EDUC 432 Technology in Special Education

The goal of this course is to provide an overview of technology; specifically, assistive technology available and what it can do for learners with special needs. In addition, students will be able to implement a framework for identifying student needs and determining desired outcomes when choosing technological solutions.

EDUC 435 Science and Math

This course will prepare prospective teachers to teach science and mathematics in the early childhood (birth through eight) setting. Theories and methodologies will be explored. Special attention will be given to developmentally appropriate activities, with significant emphasis placed on integrating subject matter. Technology issues also will be covered.

EDUC 322 Educational Psychology

A course designed specifically to study the behavior of individuals and groups in educational settings. Emphases are placed upon development, motivation, assessment, individual differences, teaching modalities and learning preferences. Attention is also given to character education and attitudes. Directed observation/participation in the public schools provides practical application of course theory. Twenty hours of observation/participation in a public school classroom required. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education)

EDUC 323 Introduction to Exceptionalities

A course designed to prepare prospective elementary and secondary teachers in the understanding and appreciation of students with exceptionalities. Emphases are placed upon characteristics and categories of exceptionality, processes of referral, assessment, and placement of exceptional students. Effective teaching practices and observation in the public schools provide practical application of course theory. Twenty hours of observation/participation in a public classroom required. (Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education)

EDUC 440 Student Teaching Seminar

A seminar course designed to be taken in conjunction with the student teaching block. The course exposes students to current trends and practices related to effective teaching and school improvement. Students will also identify and reflect upon the professional problems which may be encountered by beginning teachers.(Prerequisites: acceptance as a candidate for teacher certification) 1 credi hour

EDUC 341 Reading in the Elementary School

A course that emphasizes the various methods of teaching and assessing reading, diagnosing reading problems, and developing programs to strengthen comprehension and vocabulary. Students also practice adapting teaching strategies and content for special needs or learning styles. In conjunction with regular course work, students gain experience through practical application with a required 20-hour practicum in the public schools.(Prerequisites: admission to Teacher Education.)

EDUC 437 Elementary School Methods and Management

This course focuses on the development of professional teaching skills for the elementary and middle school teacher, including: a personal philosophy of education; classroom management procedures; a discipline plan; instructional methods and strategies; program, course, unit, and lesson planning; awareness of current trends in education; and assessment/evaluation strategies. During this semester, students complete their professional portfolio and make application for teaching placement. This course is taken immediately prior to the professional block. (Prerequisites: admission to Teacher Education, and senior standing.)

EDUC 446 Observation and Supervised Teaching in Early Childhood Programs

Clinical experiences in the public schools for teacher certification candidates.(Prerequisites: Successful completion of EDUC 437; acceptance as a candidate for teacher certification. Concurrent with EDUC 440.) 12 credit hours

HRD210 Building Academic Success

Introduces academic success topics and tools that are intended to establish and strengthen understanding of the learner and academic success coach relationship, critical thinking and reading, institutional policies and procedures, and the basics of online research and academic writing while experiencing the Southwestern College Professional Studies course format on the way to becoming a Southwestern College Moundbuilder.

CLO 499 Responsibility for the Future

Seniors with various majors will share learning and approaches from their different disciplines toward dealing holistically with issues that shape the future, seeking to integrate disciplines and to synthesize knowing, caring, and doing.

All classes are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.

Admission Requirements

Entering students must have earned at least 30 college credits, a GPA of 2.5, and have three years of work experience. Contact a program representative to evaluate your options.

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