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The Bachelor of Education (BEd) Dual Preparation program in Elementary and Early Childhood Education is designed for students who wish to become eligible for an initial license in elementary education with an emphasis area of early childhood education. The ECE emphasis prepares graduates to work with students in pre-school through 3rd grade settings.
Teacher candidates are assigned to cohort groups of about 22 students, who take most of their courses together during the two-year program. The program begins in fall semester and is full-time, Monday through Thursday. Teacher candidates will spend one semester of field experience working with mentor teachers in a pre-school setting, two semesters in an elementary K-6 setting, and conduct their student teaching in a K-3rd grade classroom. Coursework is linked closely with field experience.
Early childhood is a component of general education. Its purpose is to prepare graduates to work with children between three and eight years of age. Students learn to adapt and individualize instruction in ways that are developmentally appropriate for young children.
Program Requirements
- UHM General Education Core for education majors or AA degree
- Elementary education emphasis (18 credits)
- Foundations and methods courses in elementary education (30 credits)
- Field experience and student teaching, 21 credits
- Foundations and methods courses in early childhood education (18-21 credits)
Because of the heavier course load in the dual preparation program, teacher candidates should take their four Elementary Education Emphasis courses (EDEF 310, EDEP 311, ITE/EDEF 360, and a Performing Arts/Creative Movement elective) before the cohort program or in the summer.
It is highly recommended that ECE dual preparation candidates also take as many of the following courses as possible prior to program entrance: ITE 415, 415L, ITE 417, and ITE 425.
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