This is not a certificate program. If state certification is desired, refer to the preceding description of the certificate program. This program reflects the diversity of professions within the early childhood field covering the ages from infancy through grade three. A core of early childhood courses is followed by courses in a specific area of concentration to meet the need for in-depth background appropriate to the many new early childhood professional roles. Interdisciplinary in scope and applied in orientation, the program emphasizes understanding and applying relevant theories of child growth and development.
Students learn current research in the relevant fields.
This option requires the student and the early childhood education faculty adviser to develop a complement of five courses to hone the student's academic preparation and completion of the core of required courses. These five courses can be chosen from counseling and human services, early childhood education, educational administration and supervision, teacher education, psychology, or sociology. This individualized portfolio will prepare early childhood educators for many roles, including classroom teachers, family literacy program coordinators, family resource consultants, and elementary school principals. Students seeking elementary school principal credentials who have a standard certificate and at least two years of Kindergarten through primary teaching experience may plan a program with at least eight courses in the educational administration and supervision program to meet the Illinois State Board of Education requirements for a Type 75 certificate. This option prepares students to work in the private sector as directors for child care centers or in corporate child care.