Early Childhood Education

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If you’re passionate about working with children from birth through second grade, Bradley’s Early Childhood Education program is designed for you. This versatile, hands-on program prepares you for Illinois teacher licensure, with credentials that can be transferred to other states.

You’ll gain dual certification in English as a Second Language (K-2) and Special Education Approval (birth through 2nd grade)—making you even more valuable in today’s diverse classrooms. Plus, from your very first semester, you’ll step into real classrooms, working directly with young learners. These multiple field experiences ensure that by the time you begin your student teaching semester, you’ll feel confident and prepared to lead your own classroom.

Experiential Learning

Starting in your first semester, you’ll gain real-world teaching experience through clinical field experience courses, working directly with students in local schools. You’ll collaborate with faculty and staff to teach children at interactive events such as:

Literacy Around the World – Promoting global stories and reading engagement.
PNC Worldwide Day of Play – Encouraging movement and active learning.
Parade of Flags – Celebrating cultural diversity through education.

Program Details

Courses for a Balanced Curriculum – 9 hrs.

ETE 260: Children’s Literature (0 hrs.)
ETE 107: Conceptualizing Math for Teachers I (0 hrs.)
ETE 108: Conceptualizing Math for Teachers II (0 hrs.)
Grammar/Linguistics (choose one)
ENG 311 (3 hrs.)
ENG 312 (3 hrs.)
Geography (choose one)
HIS 336 (3 hrs.)
HIS 337 (3 hrs.)
THE 335: Theatre for Children and Creative Dramatics (3 hrs.)

Professional Education Requirements – 80 hrs.

ETE 100: Technology Applications (1 hr.)
ETE 107: Conceptualizing Math for Teachers I (3 hrs.)
ETE 108: Conceptualizing Math for Teachers II (3 hrs.)
ETE 115: The History of Education in the United States (3 hrs.)
ETE 116: Field Experience – Schools and Schooling (1 hr.)
ETE 120: Early Childhood Professional Roles and Responsibilities (3 hrs.)
ETE 194: Physical Education in the P-6 Schools (1 hr.)
ETE 196: Fine Arts in the P-6 Schools (2 hrs.)
ETE 210: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood (3 hrs.)
ETE 211: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood and Effective Teaching Field Experience (1 hr.)
ETE 215: Strategies for Effective Teaching (3 hrs.)
ETE 234: Language Development (3 hrs.)
ETE 235: Methods of Teaching English Language Learners (3 hrs.)
ETE 236: Assessment of English Language Learners (3 hrs.)
ETE 237: Practicum for Teaching English Learners I (1 hr.)
ETE 240: Practicum for Teaching English Learners II (2 hrs.)
ETE 260: Children’s Literature (3 hrs.)
ETE 270: Physical Development and Health (1 hr.)
ETE 280: Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families and Communities (3 hrs.)
ETE 304: Early Childhood Novice Teaching Experience (3 hrs.)
ETE 310: Teacher Performance Assessment (1 hr.)
ETE 322: Emergent Literacy: Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum (3 hrs.)
ETE 324: Early Childhood Special Education Methods (3 hrs.)
ETE 328: Early Childhood Methods (6 hrs.)
ETE 345: Guiding Learners: Creating Safe, Inclusive Learning Environments (3 hrs.)
ETE 443: Early Childhood Assessment (3 hrs.)
ETE 485: Early Childhood Profession: Reflective Practices (3 hrs.)
ETE 497: Student Teaching in Early Childhood (12 hrs.)

Career Opportunities

Graduates of Bradley University’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program are equipped to nurture and educate young children with state licensure and hands-on experience. Careers include:

Preschool teacher or director
Kindergarten and elementary school teacher
Childcare worker
Infant teacher
Child life specialist
Behavioral analyst
Early intervention specialist
Childcare consultant
Instructional coordinator

Minor

This minor includes opportunities to step into campus leadership positions to practice what you learn. The program gives you flexibility to explore topics in ethics, government, human relations, organizational management and race and power.

The minor is directed by leaders in the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service and the Lewis J. Burger Center for Student Leadership and Public Service.