Early Childhood and Elementary Education Dual Major (M)

There are several aspects of our early childhood and elementary education department that are truly unique to CUW. In addition to the 121-credit requirement for public education majors, we have a variety of flexible options to increase marketability and prepare preservice educators to teach in multiple settings. Concordia offers a Lutheran Teacher Diploma for members of LCMS congregations who wish to teach in Lutheran schools and Christian Education Certification for members of other Christian churches who wish to teach in Christian schools. Along with your dual major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, we also offer a variety of minors, concentrations, and certificates, including Adaptive Education, Special Education, and our Compassion Care Certificate, which includes work with our Compassion Care and Comfort Dogs.  Thanks to our enhanced program, most students graduate in 3.5 to 4 years, and 99+ percent of them find jobs immediately.

Our early childhood and elementary education program also offers you the opportunity to student teach internationally or outside of the immediate CUW geographical area. Additionally, our students have field placements in area schools each semester before student teaching. This makes you more classroom-ready as you grow as a new teacher and feedback from your supervisors helps you set goals for continued improvement.

If your calling is to change a student’s life from birth through 9th grade, our calling is to help get you there.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Learner Development: The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge) 

2. Learning Differences : The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards. (Human Relations, Pedagogical Knowledge) 

3. Learning Environments: The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. (Teaching Practice, Human Relations)

4. Content Knowledge: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (Content Knowledge)

5. Application of Content:  The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

6. Assessment Strategies: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)

7. Planning for Instruction: The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. (Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Knowledge)

8. Instructional Strategies: The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. (Pedagogical Knowledge, Communication Skills, Teaching Practice)

9. Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

10. Leadership and Collaboration: The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

11.  Character/Faith Development: All teachers model a value system which emphasizes moral and ethical character. Teachers in Christian schools integrate faith and learning while modeling Christian mission and service with a biblical worldview. Lutheran teachers adhere to the doctrine and practice of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. (Human Relations, Professional Dispositions, Content Knowledge)

Curriculum

Birth to 9th Grade

Core Requirements 148-51
Early Childhood and Elementary Education Majors73-79
Total Hours121-130
1

For transfer students, please see the Advanced Transfer Core.

NOTE: Check with the Chair of the Early Childhood Education Department for possible changes in this major.

Core Curriculum - 48-51 Credits

Concordia Common Core - 18-21 Credits

Theology - Public Education
REL 1000The Bible3
REL 1100Christian Faith3
Theology - Lutheran (LTD) & Christian (CTC)
REL 2010Old Testament3
REL 2020New Testament3
REL 2030Biblical Theology3
CCE 1010Christian Citizen3
CCE 1020Western Culture & Worldview3
CCE 1030Western Thought & Worldview3
CCE 1040Science & Humanity3
Liberal Arts Dimensions - 30 Credits
ENG 1040Introduction to Writing3
Communication and Language Elective3
Faith and Life Elective: Any course with REL prefix other above REL 20303
ED 1102Foundations of Education3
HHP 1100Stewardship of the Body1
HHP Activity Course 1
Human Creativity and Expression: Art, Music, Theater, or Graphic Design activity course3
MATH 1190Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-93
MATH 1200Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-93
SCI 1100Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences4
ED 1103Human Relations for Teachers3
Note: Two writing intensive courses required for graduation. Other electives may be added to reach 120 credit minimum for graduation. 3

Early Childhood & Elementary Education Curriculum

Required Courses
Theoretical Component
ED 1230Nature of the Exceptional Child3
ED 1231Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy3
ED 1275Human Learning3
ED 4411The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 23
Experiential Component
ED 1000Orientation Seminar0
ED 2000UDS Seminar0
ED 3000Student Teaching Seminar0
ED 1211Discovery Clinical0
ED 1212Cultural Clinical0
ED 1213Special Education Clinical0
Practical Component
ED 2204The Art & Science of Teaching Reading3
ED 2252Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy (OR)3
Math in the Middle School
ED 2358Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 32
ED 3401Instruction & Assessment of Reading 23
Practical Component: Early Childhood
ED 2327Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society3
ED 2466Health, Safety, and Fitness for the Young Child3
ED 3359Curriculum and Techniques in Early Childhood 24
ED 3400Creativity in Early Childhood 22
ED 3356STEM: Math in Early Childhood 22
ED 3357STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood 22
ED 4478Preschool Practicum and Synthesis 23
ED 4479Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 23
"The Block" - Take these courses during the same semester
ED 4301Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 22
ED 4302Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 21
ED 4303Language Arts Methods 23
ED 4304Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 23
ED 4305Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 23
ED 4306Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 23
Student Teaching Component (Take these courses in the same semester)
ED 4412Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 21
ED 4421Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 26
ED 4425Early Childhood Student Teaching 26
Lutheran (LCMS Members) Teacher Diploma Requirements
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
Christian Teacher Certification Requirements
ED 2306Teaching the Faith3
Select one of the following 3 credit courses:
REL 3500A Survey of Christian Thought3
REL 3860Law and Gospel in the Life of the Church3
REL 4000Lutheran Confessions3
PHIL 3250Christian Apologetics3
OR
PHIL 3340Christ and Culture3
1

SCI 1100 Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences recommended

2

Course requires upper division status

 
Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
ED 1000 Orientation Seminar 0
ED 1102 Foundations of Education 3
ED 1275 Human Learning 3
ED 1211 Discovery Clinical 0
ENG 1040 Introduction to Writing 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
REL 2010 Old Testament 3
HHP 1100 Stewardship of the Body 1
 Hours16
Semester 2
ED 1103 Human Relations for Teachers 3
ED 1212 Cultural Clinical 0
ED 1231 Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy 3
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
REL 2020 New Testament 3
MATH 1190 Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3
HHP ACTIVITY 1
 Hours16
Semester 3
SCI 1100 Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences 4
FAITH & LIFE 3
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
ED 1230 Nature of the Exceptional Child 3
ED 1213 Special Education Clinical 0
MATH 1200 Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 3
 Hours16
Semester 4
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION 3
ED 2000 UDS Seminar 0
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
REL 2030 Biblical Theology 3
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE 3
ED 2327 Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society 3
ED 2252 Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy 3
 Hours18
Semester 5
ED 2204 The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 3
ED 2306 Teaching the Faith 3
ED 3400 Creativity in Early Childhood 2
ED 3401 Instruction & Assessment of Reading 3
ED 4479 Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 3
ED 3359 Curriculum and Techniques in Early Childhood 4
 Hours18
Semester 6
REL 4000 Lutheran Confessions 3
ED 2466 Health, Safety, and Fitness for the Young Child 3
ED 2358 Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 2
ED 3356 STEM: Math in Early Childhood 2
ED 3357 STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood 2
ED 4478 Preschool Practicum and Synthesis 3
ED 4411 The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 3
 Hours18
Semester 7
ED 4306 Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 3
ED 3000 Student Teaching Seminar 0
ED 4302 Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 1
ED 4301 Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2
ED 4303 Language Arts Methods 3
ED 4304 Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 3
ED 4305 Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 3
 Hours15
Semester 8
ED 4421 Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 6
ED 4425 Early Childhood Student Teaching 6
ED 4412 Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours130

Course options and schedule are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
ED 1000 Orientation Seminar 0
ED 1102 Foundations of Education 3
ED 1103 Human Relations for Teachers 3
ED 1212 Cultural Clinical 0
ED 1231 Best Practices in Engaging Children in Literacy 3
CCE 1010 Christian Citizen 3
REL 1000 The Bible 3
HHP 1100 Stewardship of the Body 1
 Hours16
Semester 2
ED 1275 Human Learning 3
ED 1211 Discovery Clinical 0
ENG 1040 Introduction to Writing 3
CCE 1040 Science & Humanity 3
REL 1100 Christian Faith 3
MATH 1190 Number Sense: Teaching Pre K-9 3
 Hours15
Semester 3
SCI 1100 Introduction to Life and Physical Sciences 4
FAITH & LIFE 3
CCE 1020 Western Culture & Worldview 3
ED 1230 Nature of the Exceptional Child 3
ED 1213 Special Education Clinical 0
MATH 1200 Data & Space: Teaching Pre K-9 3
 Hours16
Semester 4
HUMAN CREATIVITY & EXPRESSION 3
ED 2000 UDS Seminar 0
CCE 1030 Western Thought & Worldview 3
COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE 3
ED 2327 Collaborating with Families and Professionals in a Diverse Society 3
ED 2466 Health, Safety, and Fitness for the Young Child 3
 Hours15
Semester 5
ED 2204 The Art & Science of Teaching Reading 3
ED 3400 Creativity in Early Childhood 2
ED 3359 Curriculum and Techniques in Early Childhood 4
ED 2358 Emergent Writing: Birth to Grade 3 2
ED 4479 Assessment Strategies for Diverse Learners 3
HHP ACTIVITY 1
 Hours15
Semester 6
ED 2252
Best Practices in Engaging Adolescents in Literacy
or Math in the Middle School
3
ED 3401 Instruction & Assessment of Reading 3
ED 3356 STEM: Math in Early Childhood 2
ED 3357 STEM: Science and Environment in Early Childhood 2
ED 4478 Preschool Practicum and Synthesis 3
ED 4411 The Profession and Ethics of Teaching 3
 Hours16
Semester 7
ED 3000 Student Teaching Seminar 0
ED 4301 Data Driven Analysis of Classroom Practice 2
ED 4302 Collaborating with Families and Members of the Community 1
ED 4303 Language Arts Methods 3
ED 4304 Curriculum and Methods in Mathematics 3
ED 4305 Curriculum & Methods in Science & Environment 3
ED 4306 Curriculum and Methods in Social Studies 3
 Hours15
Semester 8
ED 4421 Gr K-9 Student Teaching 1 6
ED 4425 Early Childhood Student Teaching 6
ED 4412 Portfolio Completion - Elementary/Content Tests 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours121

Course options and schedule are subject to change.