*Note: The School of Education is not currently accepting applications for the Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education (Birth to Grade 2) certification program. However, our Inclusive Childhood Education, BS is accepting applications, and we encourage you to consider this program which offers a higher number of grade level certifications, as well as a dual certification in childhood and special education.
Contact
For Intra-University Transfers:
School of Education, Office of Academic and Student Services, 111 Waverly Ave., Suite 230, 315-443-9319, soeadvising@syr.edu
George Theoharis, Program Coordinator, 150 Huntington Hall, 315-443-1468, gtheohar@syr.edu
Program Description
This B.S. degree program is a dual program between the School of Education and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics - with the School of Education as the home school. This program meets the academic requirements for New York State teacher certification in both Early Childhood (birth - grade 2) and Students with Disabilities (birth - grade 2). It seeks to prepare students to make a difference in the lives of children through a strong inclusive education and social justice philosophy and teaching skills, and solid knowledge of the core subjects to be taught and how to teach them. A cornerstone of the program is the extensive and varied series of field experiences it offers, coordinating coursework with fieldwork in the schools as early as the first year of study. Many schools and childcare centers in the Syracuse area are at the forefront of inclusive education. Through our close partnerships with local schools and early childhood centers that welcome all students, and with our wide network of urban, suburban, and rural school affiliations, we provide a broad range of opportunities for getting the most out of field experiences.
Program Requirements
Program requirements include liberal arts skills, a concentration in social/behavioral science with emphasis on human development and family science, and professional coursework. This intense program typically requires a minimum of 135 credits. The length varies and can be more than 138 credits, depending on the student’s mathematics and foreign language background, and other choices made by the student. In most cases, students enroll for more than 15 credits in a semester and/or take summer courses (at SU or other colleges) to complete the degree within four years. Therefore, prospective students not already enrolled in the School of Education are encouraged to consult with the School of Education as early as possible.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| WRT 105 | Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing | 3 |
| or WRT 109 | Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing (Honors) |
| WRT 205 | Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing | 3 |
| or WRT 209 | Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing (Honors) |
| MAT 117 | Foundational Mathematics via Problem Solving I | 3 |
| MAT 118 | Foundational Mathematics via Problem Solving II | 3 |
| SCI 104 | Science-Questions and Quests: Physical Phenomena I | 3 |
| SCI 105 | Science-Questions and Quests: Physical Phenomena II | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| HFS 201 | Family Development | 3 |
| HFS 202 | Development of Children | 3 |
| HFS 331 | Play, Childhood Development and Early Education | 3 |
| HFS 345 | The Developing Infant | 3 |
| HFS 395 | Risk, Resilience, and Intervention | 3 |
| HFS 467 | Child and Family in Cross-Cultural Perspectives | 3 |
| or HFS 482 | Development in Immigrant & Refugee Families |
| 3 |
| Principles and Practices in Parenting | |
| Power, Conflict, Violence, and the Family | |
| Critical Incidents in Family Development | |
| 9 |
| EDU 103 | Introduction to Inclusive Schooling | 3 |
| EDU 104 | Experience in Inclusive School | 1 |
| SPE 311 | Perspectives on Disabilities | 3 |
| IDE 201 | Integrating Technology into Instruction I | 1 |
| HFS 492 | Child Internship | 3 |
| HFS 335 | Issues and Perspectives in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| CSD 303 | Communication in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 366 | Safe and Healthy Learning Environments | 1 |
| 2 |
| Art in the Classroom | |
| Music in the Classroom | |
| Speech and Drama in the Classroom | |
| Total Credits | 92 |
Assessment
Both this program and the teaching profession are demanding, requiring not only appropriate attitudes about children and skills in working with them, but also knowledge of the content to be taught, excellent writing skills, critical thinking skills, and much more. Students’ progress is reviewed several times through the program against specific proficiencies and other assessment criteria. Effective for those entering the program Fall 2014 or later, to be eligible for Block I, students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA; a 3.0 average for and no grade below a B- in EDU 103 Introduction to Inclusive Schooling, EDU 104 Experience in Inclusive School , SPE 311 Perspectives on Disabilities, and HFS 492 Child Internship (if taken before Block I); a B- or better grade in each writing course taken; and a B- or better average with no grade below a C in both the two required mathematics courses and the two required natural science courses, with at least one B- grade in each before entering Block I. In addition, they must have satisfactory ratings on the proficiencies and dispositions that are part of the professional courses and field experiences. Reviews also take place to determine eligibility to enter subsequent professional blocks, and additional information about this is available from the program faculty teaching in the blocks.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EED 314 | Teaching Strategies for Inclusive Education | 3 |
| RED 215 | Foundational Literacy Methods | 3 |
| EDU 220 | Field Experience and Seminar I | 2 |
| EDU 438 | Mathematics Methods and Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 320 | Field Experience and Seminar II | 2 |
| EDU 336 | Social Studies Methods and Curriculum | 3 |
| EED 362 | Block II Field Seminar | 1 |
| SPE 212 | Differentiation for Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDU 434 | Creative Movement for the Classroom | 1 |
| IDE 301 | Integrating Technology into Instruction II | 1 |
| EED 445 | Inclusive Early Childhood Education Integrated Methods and Curriculum | 6 |
| EED 446 | Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education PreK Field Experience | 3 |
| IDE 401 | Integrating Technology into Instruction III | 1 |
Student Teaching
All students must complete EDU 366 Safe and Healthy Learning Environments before the student teaching semester.
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| EED 464 | Student Teaching Seminar/Inclusive Education | 3 |
| EDU 508 | Student Teaching (Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education) | 12 |
| SPE 434 | Inclusive Pedagogy and Practice | 3 |
A Bridge to the City
A Bridge to the City provides Inclusive Early Childhood teacher candidates with a student teaching experience in the vibrant urban environment of New York City. This is a unique opportunity for these students to sharpen their skills and broaden their perspectives on cultures, families, and professional practices. Interested students work with their advisors beginning in the first year in order to plan for this, apply for this opportunity during their junior year, and if selected will student teach in NYC during the fall of their senior year.
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.
