Curriculum Document

 

 

Academic Department:

Behavioral Sciences

School Document Number:

LSS 04-06

Document Author:

Elsa K. Weber

Approved by School Date:

12-06-2004

Date: 

10/12/04

CEP Review:

 

Type of Document: 

Addition

X

Faculty Senate Approval Date:

 

Deletion

 

Revisions

 

 

 

Select Section A  or Section B for this document

 

 

B. Check All Items That Apply to this Document and the Form 710 Addition, Deletion or Revision
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Addition of a:

New Degree

 

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X

 

Graduation Requirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Subject:   Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood Development

 

 

 

Justification:    The field of early childhood development—education and care—is expanding rapidly in light of increased recognition of the importance of early learning. The role of knowledgeable professionals who work with very young children is finally being acknowledged. Purdue University Calumet’s established early childhood program has been helping to build a substantial base of child care providers with Associate, and now Bachelor level foundations.  There is also another group of adults involved in early education and care however.  These are the many professional women, and some men, both in the NWI region and all over the country, who become involved in and fascinated by early childhood development at the point when they begin to raise families. They are working as family child care providers, classroom teachers, and sometimes as administrators. Though they already have the rich general education that makes for excellent teachers, they also need specific knowledge of young children.

 

This proposal is for a brief Post Baccalaureate program of study in early childhood development for those who are turning or extending their professional direction to work with young children. The goal of this certificate is to provide immediate and substantial support to providers coming to the field from other areas of study. The certificate would be available to students with baccalaureate degrees in any area of study who are already working with young children, either as family child care providers, or in various center based capacities, including administration.  The certificate will include coursework in child development, observation and curriculum preparation, and will require supervised practical experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current:     Currently there are no programs of any kind that I know of that support post baccalaureate study

in early childhood in the Northwest Indiana Region.

                                                           

 

 

 

 

Proposed:     We propose a course of study that is flexible enough to include students with little or no background

in early childhood development or education and those who bring some expertise from fields of education,

psychology or sociology.

 

Total Courses required 6 (18 credit hours)

 

 

 

Impact on Students:   Opportunity for students with Baccalaureate degrees to participate in the field of

early childhood with solid professional preparation.

 

 

 

Impact on Other Academic Departments:   None

 

 

 

Summary of Discussions with Other Academic Department:  None

 

 

 

Impact on University Resources:    There will be no need for additional types of resources to run this

program. The early childhood program in general is attempting to build up a larger library collection of

materials on early care and education.  Post baccalaureate students are equally or more likely than

undergraduate students to consult such resources in preparation for coursework or daily curriculum planning.

 

 

 

Impact on General Education Requirements: This program will not affect General Education Requirements

 

 

Revised:04/27

 

 

 

Proposed Plan of Study for a

Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood Development

 

Requirements                                                 Suggested Electives

 

For Acting  Classroom Teachers

 

Psy 361            Human Development I              or elective (BHS 320 or BHS 331)

BHS 216          Introduction to Early Childhood            or elective (BHS 228 or BHS 331)

BHS 217          Issues in Early Childhood                      or elective (BHS 320 or BHS 228 or BHS 3xx)

BHS 224          Language and Literacy

BHS 310          Science, Math, and Social Studies

BHS 4xx          Supervised Experience in Early Childhood Programs

 

For Acting Administrators

Psy 361            Human Development I              or elective (BHS 320 or BHS 331)

BHS 216          Introduction to Early Childhood            or elective (BHS 225 or BHS 228 or BHS 331)

BHS 217          Issues in Early Childhood                      or Elective (BHS 320 or BHS 228 or BHS 3xx)

BHS 224          Language and Literacy

BHS 332          Administration

BHS 4xx          Supervised Experience in Early Childhood Programs

 

For Family Childcare Providers

Psy  361           Human Development I              or elective (BHS 320 or BHS 331)

BHS 216          Introduction to Early Childhood            or elective (BHS 225 or BHS 228 or BHS 3xx)

BHS 217          Issues in Early Childhood                      or elective (BHS 320 or BHS 228 or BHS 3xx)

BHS 224          Language and Literacy 

BHS 310          Science, Math, and Social Studies

BHS 4xx          Supervised Experience in Early Childhood Programs

 

Possible Electives

BHS 320          Children’s Social Development

BHS 225          Art Music & Movement in Early Childhood

BHS 331          Early Childhood Assessment

BHS 228          Developmental Infant and Toddler Care

BHS 3xx          Teaching Children with Special Needs