Bachelor of Science
Early Childhood Education

School of Education

Enriching lives through education

The Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) provides preparation for teaching in preschool, kindergarten and primary grades. The Early Childhood certification permits teaching of grades PK – 3 in elementary schools in South Carolina.

Through coursework and field experiences, the early childhood education curriculum provides multiple opportunities for candidates to obtain the knowledge, skills and dispositions to meet the standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the South Carolina Department of Education.

B.S. in Early Childhood Education

In addition to the general education course requirements (found in the early childhood education section of the FMU Course Catalog), students in the Early Childhood Education Program will be required to take the follow courses:

Pre-Professional Education (6 hours)

  • EDUC 190 – Foundations of Education (3)
  • EDUC 192 – Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction (3)
  • EDUC 310 – Using Technology Effectively in the Classroom (3)
  • EDUC 311 – Foundations of Instructional Planning and Assessment (3)
  • EDUC 322 – Foundations in the Instruction of Reading (works well with Block A)
  • EDUC 420 – Introduction: Exceptional Learner
    • Courses in blue have a pre-requisite of EDUC 190 and EDUC 192.

Professional Education (41 hours) *

*Requires admission to the Professional Education Program (PEP).

  • EDUC 411 – Reading and Writing in the Content Area (3) (Works well with Block B)
  • Block A *
    • ECED 321 – Methods for Teaching and Assessing Primary Mathematics (3)
    • ECED 329 – Clinical Experiences in Early Childhood Education (3)
    • ECED 335 – Teaching Social Studies in Early Childhood Education (3)
    • EDUC 324 – Reading Assessment (3)
  • Block B *
    • ECED 320 – Curriculum for Early Childhood Education (3)
    • ECED 336 – Teaching Science in Early Childhood Education (3)
    • ECED 420 – Methods and Materials for Early Childhood Education (3)
    • EDUC 326 – Strategies for Reading Instruction PreK-12 (3)
    • EDUC 391 – Field Experience B: Early Childhood (2)
  • Student Teaching Block * (Requires completion of ALL education courses)
    • EDUC 487 – Classroom Management (3)
    • EDUC 490 – Directed Teaching (12)
  • Supporting Courses
    • ARTE 217 – Creative Arts for Elementary School Teacher
    • ENGL 313 – Literature for the Young Child
    • ENGL 341 – Advanced Composition for Teachers
    • MATH 370 – Intuitive Geometry
    • PSYC 315 – Child Behavior: Growth and Development