Early Childhood Education
Engage and inspire young learners
DePaul’s Early Childhood Education program will prepare you to teach and engage infants through second-graders in a variety of urban and suburban education settings. Early childhood educators teach in public and private preschools, elementary schools and child care centers.
As part of your Early Childhood Education degree program, you will learn educational theories and effective teaching practices and conduct research projects. You’ll be immersed in the real world through field experiences—which require you to observe and participate in teaching activities at multiple elementary schools and child care centers—and student teaching in classrooms around Chicago.
Classes
Coursework
- Art
- Child and Family
- Child Growth and Development
- Child Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Children's Literature
- Curriculum Development
- Exceptional Child Development and Instruction
- Math and Science Instruction in Early Childhood
- Reading Instruction
- Speech and Language Development
- Teaching Strategies
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Teaching
- Administration
- Education policy
89%
of Early Childhood Education graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Course Requirements
Introductory Courses: 30 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 290 | CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| ECE 280 | INTERNSHIP WITH INFANTS AND TODDLERS 1 | 2 |
| ECE 286 | ART, MUSIC, AND MOVEMENT FOR THE YOUNG CHILD | 4 |
| ECE 302 | CHILD AND FAMILY IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY | 4 |
| ECE 303 | INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION | 4 |
| ECE 298 | CHILD HEALTH SAFETY AND NUTRITION | 4 |
| SCU 207 | SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION | 4 |
| EE 347 | CHILDREN'S LITERATURE | 4 |
1
Must be taken with ECE 290.
ISBE Science Requirement: 12 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science: Choose a Scientific Inquiry course in Biology | 4 | |
| Physical Science: Choose a Scientific Inquiry course in Chemistry or Physics | 4 | |
| Earth/Space Science: Choose a Scientific Inquiry course in Environmental Science or Geography | 4 | |
Science requirement fulfills the mandate by the Illinois State Board of Education that all individuals pursuing a license in Early Childhood Education have coursework in 3 science areas that cover biological science, physical science, and earth/space science. These courses simultaneously meet DePaul requirements for Liberal Studies.
Choose One of the Following Concentrations
ESL Concentration Courses: 28 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BBE 326 | THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING ESL AND WLE | 4 |
| BBE 325 | BILITERACY PRACTICES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION AND ESL | 4 |
| BBE 360 | SECOND, WORLD AND HERITAGE LANGUAGE ACQUISITION | 4 |
| BBE 370 | LANGUAGE, LITERACIES AND CULTURES | 4 |
| ECE 314 | METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR DUAL LANGUAGE AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS | 4 |
| BBE 310 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION AND CULTURE | 4 |
| ECE 377 | ASSESSMENT OF DUAL LANGUAGE AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS | 4 |
Bilingual Concentration Courses: 28 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BBE 316 | SOCIOCULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION | 4 |
| BBE 325 | BILITERACY PRACTICES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION AND ESL | 4 |
| BBE 360 | SECOND, WORLD AND HERITAGE LANGUAGE ACQUISITION | 4 |
| BBE 370 | LANGUAGE, LITERACIES AND CULTURES | 4 |
| ECE 314 | METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR DUAL LANGUAGE AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS | 4 |
| BBE 310 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION AND CULTURE | 4 |
| ECE 377 | ASSESSMENT OF DUAL LANGUAGE AND MULTILINGUAL LEARNERS | 4 |
*Individuals seeking both bilingual and ESL endorsements on the Professional Educator License (PEL) must complete one additional course to qualify for both endorsements and must take both:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BBE 316 | SOCIOCULTURAL AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES IN BILINGUAL EDUCATION | 4 |
| BBE 326 | THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF TEACHING ESL AND WLE | 4 |
To be eligible for the bilingual endorsement, individuals also complete the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Target Language Proficiency (TLP) test in the non-English language.
Advanced Courses: 40 quarter hours required, grade of C or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCU 336 | ADOLESCENT AND ADULT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| ECE 306 | FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT: INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 4 |
| ECE 307 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (BIRTH TO 8) | 4 |
| ECE 309 | YOUNG EXCEPTIONAL CHILD: METHODS AND CHARACTERISTICS | 4 |
| ECE 310 | PREPRIMARY PROGRAMS: CURRICULUM AND STRATEGIES 1 | 4 |
| ECE 381 | INTERNSHIP IN PRESCHOOL SETTING 2 | 2 |
| ECE 311 | CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY GRADES 3 | 4 |
| ECE 382 | INTERNSHIP IN PRIMARY SETTING 4 | 2 |
| ECE 331 | BEGINNING MATH AND SCIENCE INSTRUCTION | 4 |
| ECE 375 | ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD INCLUSIVE SETTINGS | 4 |
| EE 324 | READING/LANGUAGE ARTS IN THE EARLY YEARS | 4 |
1
Must be taken with ECE 381.
2
ECE 310 is co-requisite.
3
Must be taken with ECE 382.
4
ECE 311 is co-requisite.
Open Electives: 4 quarter hours required
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. The following cannot be used to fulfill an open elective: WRD 98, MAT 94, and MAT 95
Student Teaching: 12 quarter hours required, grade of B- or better required
Registration in student teaching requires completion of all requirements and procedures indicated in the college core section. EDU 95 indicates to the Illinois State Board of Education that all field experience hours are complete. All students also take ECE 387, Capstone Seminar with student teaching (listed in the Liberal Studies section) during the Autumn, Winter or Spring quarters. Early Childhood students complete 6 weeks in a preschool classroom and 6 weeks in a primary classroom.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 385 | EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDENT TEACHING | 12 |
| EDU 95 | CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH (non-tuition, PA grade required) | 0 |
Learning Behavior Specialist Special Education Endorsement Courses
Individuals seeking an endorsement in Special Education (called LBS1-Learning Behavior Specialist) can add the credential to the Professional Educator License (PEL) by taking additional courses. Courses are:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 332 | EARLY LITERACY AND ASSESSMENT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES | 4 |
| ECE 333 | EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR LOW INCIDENCE DISABILITIES | 4 |
| ECE 334 | SPECIAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM AND STRATEGIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN | 4 |
| ECE 380 | EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION PRACTICUM | 4 |
Requirements are listed in the Endorsements section of the Course Catalog and are in addition to degree requirements.
Special Education Approval Courses
All students in ECE program will take 5 courses that are required for the degree. These courses will make ECE students who are seeking a PEL eligible to receive a letter of approval in early childhood special education. An approval in early childhood special education makes graduating ECE license holders eligible to work in preschool special education settings. Five special education courses are:
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 302 | CHILD AND FAMILY IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY | 4 |
| ECE 306 | FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT: INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 4 |
| ECE 307 | LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD (BIRTH TO 8) | 4 |
| ECE 309 | YOUNG EXCEPTIONAL CHILD: METHODS AND CHARACTERISTICS | 4 |
| ECE 375 | ASSESSMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD INCLUSIVE SETTINGS | 4 |
Licensure Tests
All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their teaching license. Early Childhood majors must complete the following tests:
- Early Childhood Content Area Test (test #107) – assesses knowledge of the content of what is taught at the early childhood level including language and literacy development, learning across the curriculum, diversity, collaboration, and professionalism in the early childhood program. Test is required before Student Teaching (deadlines apply).
- EdTPA - assessment conducted during the student teaching experience including video clips of instruction, lesson plans, student work samples, analysis of student learning and reflective commentaries. Students will submit an electronic portfolio to an outside agency for independent evaluation and a fee will be imposed by that agency as part of the assessment.
Non-Licensure Option
Individuals that do not desire a license or are not eligible for a license can seek to earn the degree without meeting licensure requirements. In seeking this option, individuals understand that the following stipulations apply:
- Confirmation must be given by the individual in writing that they seek this option and agree to the stipulations.
- A notation is placed on the transcript indicating that “completion of degree requirements did not lead to eligibility for licensure.”
- Individuals have the option to return to the program within 1-2 years to complete student teaching and other licensure requirements and become eligible for the license (however, the transcript notation will remain). This may require additional coursework or other requirements.
- Individual must complete requirements for licensure (including any relevant tests) at the time of licensure application.
- Coursework is chosen in consultation with faculty advisor and is based on individual’s prior coursework, experience, and interests and is individually tailored.
- All coursework must be taken at DePaul; no transfer credit is allowed for substitutions.
- Individuals must complete the specified coursework within 2 years or be subject to re-evaluation.
- A minimum of 3 courses (12 credit hours) are required to substitute for the student teaching experience. Coursework must be 200-300 level and receive a grade of C or better.
Developmental Therapy Option
These courses will prepare early childhood teacher candidates for a career requiring expertise in early intervention for infants and toddlers (from birth to age three) with special needs and their families. The coursework can be taken in additional to degree requirements, or if seeking the non-licensure option, can be taken to replace student teaching. After taking the required courses and earning the degree, individuals will be required to take a training workshop on the State of Illinois system of Early Intervention and apply directly to Provider Connections to receive their credentials after submitting their transcripts.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 390 | DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY STRATEGIES FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS IN EARLY INTERVENTION | 4 |
| ECE 391 | ASSESSMENT OF INFANT AND TODDLERS | 4 |
| ECE 392 | WORKING WITH FAMILIES OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS: PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION IN EARLY INTERVENTION | 4 |
| ECE 393 | INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES WITH INFANTS, TODDLERS AND TWOS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (optional) | 2 |
Optional Infant Toddler Courses
Two infant toddler courses are available for special population or as elective for early childhood education students who seek additional specialty in infant/toddler education.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 395 | DESIGNING CURRICULUM FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS | 4 |
| ECE 398 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (credit hours may vary for special population) | 4 |
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