Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood Special Education (Teacher Certification)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/academics/post-baccalaureate-teacher-certification

This Post-Baccalaureate Program is for candidates interested in pursuing teacher certification. The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program is designed for 21st Century Educators, providing an in-depth focus on the critical issues that are transforming the landscape of education - innovation, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.

Minimum GPA requirement of 3.0

Post Bac - ECE & ECSPED 1
Introductory Level Education Courses
EDC 800Introduction to Field Experience1
EDC 801Special Education Law4
EDC 802Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth to Age 84
EDC 803The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator4
Intermediate Level Education Courses
EDC 804Assessment of Young Children in EC/ECSPED - Birth to Age 84
EDC 805Collaboration, Consultation and Teaming In Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education4
EDC 806IFSP, IEP, and Transition Plans, Birth to Age 82
EDC 807Behavior Interventions for Young Children4
Advanced Level Education Courses
EDC 808Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Child Spec. Ed. 0-84
EDC 809Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education6
EDC 810Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec Educ. Birth-Age 84
EDC 885Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar4
Total Credits45
1

A minimum grade of B- is required in all Major coursework.

State Certification Requirements

The following requirements must be completed in order to be recommended to the state for Teacher Certification:

  • Praxis Core Academic Skills For Educators Exam required. Passing Praxis Core Exam scores, NH DOE waiver or current NH teaching certification must be submitted prior to completion of EDC 800 Introduction to Field Experience to continue with clinical courses.
  • Praxis II-EC Education of Young Children Exam required. Students must attempt to pass Praxis II exam prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar. Passing exam scores are required for state certification.
  • Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam required. Students must attempt to pass Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar. Passing exam scores are required for state certification.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first semester at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
EDC 800 Introduction to Field Experience Nonclinical; Complete CHRC Process 1
EDC 801 Special Education Law Nonclinical 4
EDC 802 Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth to Age 8 Nonclinical 4
 Credits9
Spring
EDC 803 The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator Clinical A 4
EDC 804 Assessment of Young Children in EC/ECSPED - Birth to Age 8 Clinical B 4
EDC 807 Behavior Interventions for Young Children Clinical A 4
 Credits12
Second Year
Fall
EDC 805 Collaboration, Consultation and Teaming In Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education Clinical B 4
EDC 806 IFSP, IEP, and Transition Plans, Birth to Age 8 Clinical B 2
EDC 808 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Child Spec. Ed. 0-8 Clinical A 4
EDC 809 Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Clinical A 6
 Credits16
Spring
EDC 810 Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec Educ. Birth-Age 8 Clinical A 4
EDC 885 Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar Clinical A 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits45

Note: Only 1 Clinical A course allowed per term

Students Will:

  • Be reflective and knowledgeable about learners and are able to employ instructional methods, strategies and technologies to meet the needs of all students;
  • Have a rich understanding of the subject/s that they teach;
  • Employ best practices in the planning, delivery and assessment of instruction to improve learning achievement of Pre-K-12 students.

Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures

The University of New Hampshire offers a number of academic programs designed to lead to professional licensure or certification in New Hampshire. However,  completing a UNH degree/program does not guarantee professional licensure or certification. Eligibility may also depend on factors like years of work experience, professional examinations, passing a background check, and other criteria.

UNH does not guarantee that its professional licensure programs will satisfy the criteria of professional licensure boards in other states. Some states maintain different requirements for professional licensure or certification and requirements can change frequently. Federal regulations require the University to make public disclosure of certain information regarding professional licensure or certification programs, regardless of the modality the program is offered (i.e., in-person or online). The University provides guidance below but recommends students contact their state/territory licensing or certification board to ensure a program meets specific state/territory requirements.

Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for information about whether this program meets professional licensure requirements in your state.