Early Childhood Practice, B.A.

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. 

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. 

In addition to National Louis University Undergraduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:

  • Sign and submit the “Student Acknowledgement of BA ECP Program (Non-licensure) Limitations” form to the Office of Admissions

Program Details:

  • Requires 180 QH, including 70 QH of General Education, for completion
  • Credit by examination is accepted for general education and elective credit as well as the exam for Educational Psychology required for UG Education Concentration
  • Requires completion of the following field hours built into courses across the entire program:
    • 200 hours in infant/toddler
    • 150 hours in pre-K (15 of which are in a pre-K observing a child with disability or special need)
    • depending upon Minor chosen, 100 hours in ESL/Bilingual pre-K, 50 hours in ECE SPE pre-K or 200 hours in Early Care & Education Program Administration (either child care center or family child care)
  • A minimum grade of “C” or better in all courses in the program is required
  • A minimum grade of "D" or better in all General Education courses is required except for ENG 101, ENG 201, ENG 203, ENG 210 and MTH 105, all of which require a grade of "C" or better
  • All program major courses must be taken at NLU
  • A minimum of 15 QH of the Minor coursework must be taken at NLU
  • A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required by the junior year
  • Requires the following courses to be completed within 6 years of degree completion: EDU 290, EDU 300, EDU 350, ECE 200, ECE 324, ECE 334, ECE 340, ECE 301, ECE 302, ECE 321, ECE 341 and ECE 342.

Required Courses

Student Success Seminar- 5 QH

GEN 103Student Success Seminar

5

Communications - 15 QH

ENG 101Beginning English Composition

5

ENG 201Intermediate English Composition

5

ENG 203Effective Speaking for the Undergraduate

5

Humanities- 5 QH

ENG 210Children’s Literature for Educators

5

Note: Students transferring credit from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may only use another Literature or Humanities course. 

Fine Arts- 5 QH

ART 101Basic Art Appreciation

5

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. 

Quantitative Reasoning- 10 QH

MTH 105Math for Educators I

5

and

MTH 115Math for Educators II

5

Note: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use another college level mathematics elective(s) or a combination one college level mathematics elective and another General Education elective course. 

Physical and Life Sciences- 10 QH

SCI 101Physical Science

5

and

SCI 102Survey of Biological Science with Lab

5

Notes: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use another physical or life science elective(s) or a combination of one physical or life science elective and another elective course. 

Social Sciences- 15 QH

HIS 102Introduction to Political Science

5

HIS 103History Across the Globe

5

HIS 212Think Global: Movements in US History and its Impact on Society and School

3 TO 5

Notes: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use another social science elective(s) or a combination of two social science electives and another elective course. 

Behavioral Science - 5 QH

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

5

Note: Students transferring coursework from other institutions or applying coursework previously completed at NLU may use another Behavioral Science elective. 

Undergraduate Education Concentration - 20 QH

CIL 300Foundations of ESL and Bilingual Education

5

EDU 210Educational Philosophy- A Historical Account

5

PSY 200Applied Educational Psychology

5

SPE 300Introduction to Special Education and Methods of Teaching Students with Disabilities

5

Early Childhood Practice Major - 60 QH

ECE 200Early Childhood Learning, Growth & Development

5

ECE 301Understanding Infant & Toddler Development

5

ECE 302Planning for Quality Infant/Toddler Programs

5

ECE 321Curriculum in Infant/Toddler Programs

5

ECE 324Integrated Preprimary Methodology in Early Childhood Education

4 TO 5

ECE 334Early Language and Literature Development

5

ECE 340Positive Guidance in Early Childhood Environments

5

ECE 341Early Intervention and Screening for Infants & Toddlers

5

ECE 342Cultural Responsiveness for Families of Infants/Toddlers

5

ECE 343Teaching and Learning in Diverse Early Childhood Environments

5

EDU 300Teacher Education Practicum I

5

EDU 350Teacher Preparation Curriculum and Assessment

5

Note: ECE 324 must be taken for 5 QH.

ESL/ Bilingual Minor - 30 QH

CIL 305Methods and Materials for Teaching English as a Second Language

5

CIL 306Methods and Materials for Teaching Bilingual Education

5

CIL 310Assessment of ESL and Bilingual Education Students

5

CIL 312Reading in a New Language: Linguistic Considerations

5

CIL 331Cross Cultural Education

5

EDU 290Professionalism and Ethical Engagement with Children, Families and the Community

5

Early Childhood Special Education Minor - 30 QH

EDU 290Professionalism and Ethical Engagement with Children, Families and the Community

5

SPE 330Assistive and Instructional Technology

4 TO 5

SPE 432ECE Methods of Teaching Young Children with Special Needs

5

SPE 433ECE Screening & Assessment of Young Children with Special Needs

5

SPE 434Teaming, Collaborating, Communicating: Resources for Families

5

SPE 435Autism-Spectrum Disorders and Characteristics of Children With Disabilities

5

Note: SPE 330 must be taken for 5 QH.

Early Care & Education Program Administration Minor - 30 QH

ECE 303The Early Care & Education Administrator as Advocate

1 TO 5

ECE 311Administration I: Leadership Strategies and Staff Development

1 TO 5

ECE 312Administration II: Managing Center Operations and Finance

1 TO 5

ECE 313Administration III: Implementing and Evaluating the Program

1 TO 5

ECE 344Entrepreneurship in the ECE Field

5

EDU 290Professionalism and Ethical Engagement with Children, Families and the Community

5

Notes: ECE 303, ECE 311, ECE 312, and ECE 313 must be taken for 5 quarter hours.

For more information about this program, visit  http://www.nl.edu/academics/educationbachelors/baearlychildhoodpractice/