English Language Arts / Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (B.S.)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/program/bs/english-language-arts-early-childhood-education-early-childhood-special-education

Individuals who complete this dual licensure program will be eligible for New Hampshire Department of Education teacher licensure in Early Childhood (Birth-Age 8) and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 8). The program aligns with the NH Department of Education’s standards for teacher credentialing.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program
Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.
 
A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.

ENG 420The Writing Process4
COM 460Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics4
COM 480Visual Communication4
CRIT 501Introduction to Critical Inquiry4
Select one of the following:4
Math for Our World
Statistics
Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems: PSY 5254
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression4
CRIT 602Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking4
IDIS 601AInterdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy4
or IDIS 601B Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer
or IDIS 601C Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities
Total Credits40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state licensure.

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete all General Education program requirements. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Refer to the Degree Plan for a sample course sequence. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Major in English/Language Ats EC/ECSPED
COM 590Professional Communication4
ENG 450Introduction to Literature4
ENG 505Introduction to Language and Linguistics4
ENG 555Children's Literature4
or ENG 585 Short Fiction
ENG 615Young Adult Literature4
or ENG 620 Multicultural Perspectives through Literature
ENG 604Creative Writing4
ENG 645Disability in Literature and Culture4
ENG 675Survey of Classic Literature Through Film4
ENG 730The Graphic Novel4
Declaration of Candidacy Form Required 1
Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) Required 2
PSY 470Child Development4
EDC 501Foundations of Early Childhood Education4
Introductory Level Education Courses
EDC 700Introduction to Clinical Experience1
EDC 701Special Education Law4
EDC 702Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth to Age 84
EDC 703The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator4
Intermediate Level Education Courses
EDC 704Assessment of Young Children in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec. Education, Birth to Age 84
EDC 705Collaboration, Consultation and Teaming In Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education4
EDC 706IFSPs, IEPs, and Transition Planning - Birth to Age 82
EDC 707Behavior Interventions for Young Children in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education4
Advanced Level Education Courses
EDC 708Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec Education4
EDC 709Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education6
EDC 710Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction in Early Childhood/Early Childhood SPED - Birth to Age 84
EDC 798Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar4
Total Credits89
1

Required prior to beginning the last 60 credits of degree program

2

Passing BASA scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Clinical Experience

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

State Licensure Requirements

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

  • minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for state licensure
  • Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) required. Passing Exam scores must be submitted prior to taking EDC 700 Introduction to Clinical Experience
  • Pearson Early Childhood Exam and Early Childhood Special Education Exam- Passing scores must be submitted prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar
  • Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam required. Passing Pearson Foundations of Reading Exam Scores must be submitted prior to taking the Culminating Teaching Experience & Seminar.

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

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ENG 420 The Writing Process 4
COM 460 Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics 4
MTH 402
Math for Our World
or Statistics
or Pre-Calculus
4
General Education Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 480 Visual Communication 4
CRIT 501 Introduction to Critical Inquiry 4
ENG 450 Introduction to Literature 4
PSY 525 Human Development 4
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
ENG 555
Children's Literature
or Short Fiction
4
ENG 620
Multicultural Perspectives through Literature
or Young Adult Literature
4
ENG 675 Survey of Classic Literature Through Film 4
CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking 4
 Credits16
Spring
COM 590 Professional Communication 4
ENG 505 Introduction to Language and Linguistics 4
ENG 604 Creative Writing 4
PSY 470 Child Development 4
 Credits16
Summer
ENG 645 Disability in Literature and Culture 4
 Credits4
Third Year
Fall
IDIS 601A
Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy
or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer
or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities
4
EDC 501 Foundations of Early Childhood Education 4
EDC 700 Introduction to Clinical Experience Nonclinical; Complete CHRC Process 1
EDC 703 The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator 4
 Credits13
Spring
EDC 701 Special Education Law Nonclinical 4
EDC 702 Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth to Age 8 4
EDC 704 Assessment of Young Children in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec. Education, Birth to Age 8 Clinical B 4
EDC 707 Behavior Interventions for Young Children in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Clinical A 4
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
EDC 705 Collaboration, Consultation and Teaming In Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education Clinical B 4
EDC 708 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec Education Clinical A 4
EDC 706 IFSPs, IEPs, and Transition Planning - Birth to Age 8 Clinical B 2
EDC 709 Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Clinical A 6
 Credits16
Spring
EDC 710 Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction in Early Childhood/Early Childhood SPED - Birth to Age 8 Clinical A 4
EDC 798 Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar Clinical A 4
 Credits8
 Total Credits121

Note: Only 1 Clinical A course allowed per term

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a working understanding of current brain research and its implications for teaching and learning.
  • Develop the skills to access and utilize technology as a tool to empower teaching and learning.
  • Develop a solid understanding of the utilization of formative and summative assessment for program design, monitoring student progress and evaluating teaching effectiveness.
  • Work with colleagues to observe, analyze and provide feedback on student progress and teaching effectiveness.
  • Utilize research methods and materials, pedagogies and assessment strategies to teach for understanding and application specific to content area.
  • Apply content knowledge to develop PK-12 students’ skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking.
  • Identify and explore connections between content areas and teaching methodologies.
  • Create learning experiences to foster PK-12 students’ independent, collaborative, and creative problem-solving skills.
  • Devise strategies to facilitate mastery of course content using technology.

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.