The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice (non-licensure) is designed for students whose interests are in early childhood development and education, but who do not wish to be licensed teachers. Students may seek or continue employment in child care centers or other settings that do not require state licensure.
Candidates who complete the program will be eligible to earn the Early Childhood Level 5 credential awarded by Gateways to Opportunity and the Infant/Toddler credential. Candidates will also have the opportunity to earn the Family Child Care or Illinois Director credential.
This program does NOT lead to a Professional Educator License. Students will not be eligible to be licensed to teach in settings that require a licensed teacher.
Required Courses
Student Success Seminar- 5 QH
Communications - 15 QH
Humanities- 5 QH
| RLL 220 | Children’s Literature and the Literacy Learning Environment | 5 |
Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may only use a course in Children’s Literature substantially equivalent to the National Louis University’s course.
Fine Arts- 5 QH
Note: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use other coursework in Introductory Art, Music, or Theater including any Fine Arts History or Appreciation. Studio Arts and Performance courses cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
Quantitative Reasoning- 5 QH
| LAM 112 | Math Content for Teachers I | 5 |
Physical and Life Sciences- 5 QH
LAN 110 Note: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use other coursework in Life Science in lieu of LAN 110.
LAN 150 Note: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use other coursework in General Chemistry, Chemistry and Society, General Physics, Physics and Society, or Earth Science (which covers at least four areas of physical science) in lieu of LAN 150.
Social Sciences- 5 QH
| LAS 118 | Introduction to Politics and U.S. Government | 5 |
| or | |
| LAS 203 | Survey of U.S. History | 5 |
Notes: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use other coursework in Politics and Government or coursework in U.S. History.
Behavioral Science - 5 QH
General Education Electives - 10 QH
Choose additional coursework in any general education area to bring the total to 60 quarter hours.
Undergraduate Core - 16 QH
| ECE 210 | History and Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| EPS 300 | Educational Psychology: Theory in Classroom Practice | 5 |
| SPE 300 | Introduction to Special Education and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities | 5 |
| TIE 300 | Introduction to Technology in the Classroom | 3 |
Foundational Requirements - 29 QH
| RLL 330 | Foundations of Emergent Literacy | 4 TO 5 |
| CIL 331 | Cross Cultural Education | 5 |
| ECE 205 | Observation and Assessment: Infants, Toddlers, and Two Year Olds | 4 |
| ECE 215 | Speech and Language Development | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Child, Family, and Community | 5 |
| ECE 460 | Early Childhood Practicum | 7 |
Notes: Application to participate in field experiences (ECE 460) must be made two quarters prior to the quarter of the field experience.
Professional Courses - 23 QH
| ECE 308 | Writing for Early Childhood Professionals | 3 |
| ECE 324 | Integrated Preprimary Methodology in Early Childhood Education | 4 TO 5 |
| ECE 345 | Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 5 |
| ECE 337 | Ethics and Professionalism in Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECE 340 | Positive Guidance in Early Childhood Environments | 5 |
Infant Toddler Concentration - 22 QH
| ECE 301 | Understanding Infant & Toddler Development | 5 |
| ECE 302 | Planning for Quality Infant/Toddler Programs | 5 |
| ECE 321 | Curriculum in Infant/Toddler Programs | 5 |
| ECE 493 | Internship: Infant and Toddler Care and Development | 7 |
Family Child Care Concentration - 27 QH
Candidates must complete a second concentration in Family Child Care OR Illinois Director.
| ECE 311 | Administration I: Leadership Strategies and Staff Development | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 335 | Best Business Practices in Family Child Care | 1 TO 5 |
| or | |
| ECE 312 | Administration II: Managing Center Operations and Finance | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 313 | Administration III: Implementing and Evaluating the Program | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 303 | The Early Care & Education Administrator as Advocate | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 492B | Internship: Family Child Care | 7 |
Illinois Director Concentration - 27 QH
Candidates must complete a second concentration in Family Child Care
OR Illinois Director.
| ECE 311 | Administration I: Leadership Strategies and Staff Development | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 312 | Administration II: Managing Center Operations and Finance | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 313 | Administration III: Implementing and Evaluating the Program | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 303 | The Early Care & Education Administrator as Advocate | 1 TO 5 |
| ECE 492A | Internship: Child Care Administrator | 7 |
Electives - 3 QH
Choose elective courses to meet the minimum degree requirement of 180 QH