Early Childhood Practice, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice program (non-certification) is designed for students whose interests are in early childhood development and education, but who do not wish to be certified teachers. Students may seek or continue employment in child care centers or other settings that do not require state certification.

This program does NOT lead to an Illinois Initial Early Childhood Type 04 teaching certification. Students will not be eligible to be licensed to teach in settings that require a certified teacher.

In addition to National College of Education Undergraduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must fulfill the following special requirements:

• Requirements to be admitted are the same as the Admissions Requirements for National Louis University.
• Sign and submit the “Student Acknowledgement of BA ECP Program (Non-certification) Limitations” form to the Office of Admissions

Completion of this degree requires:

• 180 QH, including 60 QH of General Education
• 45 QH of coursework must be taken at NLU
• The Professional Courses and internship must be taken at NLU
• A practicum
• An internship
• A second Major in Psychology/Human Development OR a Minor in Psychology/Human Development

Required Courses

Communications - 15 QH

LAE101	English Composition I
LAE102	English Composition II
LAT210	Effective Speaking

Humanities - 5 QH

One Humanities course

Fine Arts - 4 QH

LAA110	Introduction to Art
	and
LAU110	Introduction to Music

Note: Another introductory Art or Music course of 5 QH may be accepted in place of these two courses.

Quantitative Reasoning/Math - 10 QH

Two Mathematics courses

Note: LAM 106 is recommended.

Physical and Life Sciences - 10 QH

LAN110	General Biology
LAN150	Survey of Physical Science

Note: One course must have a lab

Social Sciences - 10 QH

LAS120	Introduction to American Politics
	and
LAS110	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
	or
LAS300	Contemporary World Cultures
	or
LAS302	Asian History and Culture
	or
LAS303	Sub-Saharan African Cultures
	or
LAS304	Middle and South American Cultures

Note: Another nonwestern Social Science course may be accepted.

Behavioral Science - 5 QH

LAP200	Psychology of Development in the Infant/Toddler Years
	or
LAP201	Psychology of Early Childhood
	or
LAP202	Psychology of Middle Childhood and Adolescence
	or
LAP303	Introduction to Psycholinguistics
	or
LAP320	Psychological Assessment of the Young Child--Part I
	or
LAP321	Psychological Assessment of the Young Child--Part II

Foundational Requirements - 50 QH

LAE307	Literature for Children
	and
LAS200	U.S. History and Culture: 1492-1828
	or
LAS201	U.S. History and Culture: 1828-1898
	or
LAS203	U.S. History and Culture: 1898-Present
	and
LAP200	Psychology of Development in the Infant/Toddler Years
	or
LAP201	Psychology of Early Childhood
	or
LAP320	Psychological Assessment of the Young Child--Part I
	or
LAP321	Psychological Assessment of the Young Child--Part II
	and
ECE202	Developmental Theory and Practice
	and
ECE205	Child Study I: Infant and Toddler
	and
ECE206	Child Study II: Preprimary
	and
ECE310	Child Family and Community
	and
ECE320	Speech and Language Development
	and
ECE405	Preprimary Methods: Language Arts/Art/Music/Movement
	and
ECE406	Preprimary Methods: Social Studies/Science/Math
	and
ECE460	Early Childhood Practicum
	and
SPE300	Survey of Exceptional Children and Adolescents

Notes: Application to participate in field experiences (ECE 460 and ECE 492 or 493) must be made two quarters prior to the quarter of the field experience. See an academic advisor for the deadline dates. ECE 320 must be taken at NLU. Another U.S. History course may be accepted. Another Developmental Psychology course may be accepted.

Professional Courses - 31 QH

Choose 31 QH from the courses listed below

ECE301	Understanding Infants and Toddlers
ECE302	Essentials of Infant-Toddler care
ECE321	Curriculum and Teaching in the Infant and Toddler Classroom
ECE322	Developing Early Childhood Programs
ECE326	Administration of Early Childhood Programs
ECE330	Instructional Technology
ECE335	Best Business Practices in Family Child Care
ECE336	Best Practices in Early Childhood Education for Infants and Toddlers and Families
ECE337	Ethics and Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
ECE340	Classroom Management in Early Childhood Education

Internship - 7 QH

ECE492	Internship: Child Care Center and Preschool Practice
	or
ECE493	Internship: Infant and Toddler Care and Development

Note: Application to participate in field experiences (ECE 460 and ECE 492 or 493) must be made two quarters prior to the quarter of the field experience. See an academic advisor for the deadline dates.

Psychology/Human Development Minor - 30 QH

See Psychology/Human Development Minor for details

Psychology/Human Development Major - 45 QH

See Psychology/Human Development Major for details

Nonspecific Electives - 2 QH

2 QH or the number of hours required to meet the minimum degree requirement of 180 QH