English Language Arts / Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (B.S.)
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
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 420 | The Writing Process | 4 |
| COM 460 | Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics | 4 |
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Math for Our World | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Pre-Calculus | ||
| Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems: PSY 525 | 4 | |
| Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World | 4 | |
| Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression | 4 | |
| CRIT 602 | Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking | 4 |
| IDIS 601A | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy | 4 |
| or IDIS 601B | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer | |
| or IDIS 601C | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
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:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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
A 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in English Language Arts / Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| COM 590 | Professional Communication | 4 |
| ENG 450 | Introduction to Literature | 4 |
| ENG 505 | Introduction to Language and Linguistics | 4 |
| ENG 555 | Children's Literature | 4 |
| or ENG 585 | Short Fiction | |
| ENG 615 | Young Adult Literature | 4 |
| or ENG 620 | Multicultural Perspectives through Literature | |
| ENG 604 | Creative Writing | 4 |
| ENG 645 | Disability in Literature and Culture | 4 |
| ENG 675 | Survey of Classic Literature Through Film | 4 |
| ENG 730 | The Graphic Novel | 4 |
| Declaration of Candidacy Form Required 1 | ||
| Basic Academic Skills Assessment (BASA) Required 2 | ||
| PSY 470 | Child Development | 4 |
| EDC 501 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| Introductory Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 700 | Introduction to Clinical Experience | 1 |
| EDC 701 | Special Education Law | 4 |
| EDC 702 | Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth to Age 8 | 4 |
| EDC 703 | The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator | 4 |
| Intermediate Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 704 | Assessment of Young Children in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec. Education, Birth to Age 8 | 4 |
| EDC 705 | Collaboration, Consultation and Teaming In Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education | 4 |
| EDC 706 | IFSPs, IEPs, and Transition Planning - Birth to Age 8 | 2 |
| EDC 707 | Behavior Interventions for Young Children in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education | 4 |
| Advanced Level Education Courses | ||
| EDC 708 | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec Education | 4 |
| EDC 709 | Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education | 6 |
| EDC 710 | Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction in Early Childhood/Early Childhood SPED - Birth to Age 8 | 4 |
| EDC 798 | Culminating Teaching Experience and Seminar | 4 |
| Total Credits | 89 | |
- 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:
- A 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
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 480 | Visual Communication | 4 |
| CRIT 501 | Introduction to Critical Inquiry | 4 |
| ENG 450 | Introduction to Literature | 4 |
| PSY 525 | Human Development | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 555 or ENG 585 | Children's Literature or Short Fiction | 4 |
| ENG 620 or ENG 615 | 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 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 590 | Professional Communication | 4 |
| ENG 505 | Introduction to Language and Linguistics | 4 |
| ENG 604 | Creative Writing | 4 |
| PSY 470 | Child Development | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Summer | ||
| ENG 645 | Disability in Literature and Culture | 4 |
| EDC 501 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 4 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| IDIS 601A | Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer or Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities | 4 |
| EDC 700 | Introduction to Clinical Experience Nonclinical; Complete CHRC Process | 1 |
| EDC 701 | Special Education Law | 4 |
| EDC 702 | Young Children with Exceptionalities, Birth to Age 8 | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDC 703 | The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator | 4 |
| EDC 705 | Collaboration, Consultation and Teaming In Early Childhood & Early Childhood Special Education | 4 |
| EDC 707 | Behavior Interventions for Young Children in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education Clinical A | 4 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDC 704 | Assessment of Young Children in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec. Education, Birth to Age 8 | 4 |
| EDC 706 | IFSPs, IEPs, and Transition Planning - Birth to Age 8 | 2 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDC 709 | Teaching Language Arts and Literacy in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Clinical A | 6 |
| EDC 708 | Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Spec Education Clinical A | 4 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| 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 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
Note: Only 1 Clinical A course allowed per term
- 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.
English Language Arts/Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education (B.S.)
Location/Delivery: College of Professional Studies [Online Program]
This program is designed to prepare graduates for professional licensure/certification as follows:
Teacher Licensure
Early Childhood (Birth-Age 8) and Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-Age 8)
The University of New Hampshire has determined this program meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in:1
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
Additional information and related resources are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.
- 1
State specific post-education requirements are subject to change. Students are responsible for confirming these requirements in their state of residence and intended practice.