Elementary Education Major - Early Childhood Concentration, B.A./B.S.

General Information:

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

Professional educational programs at College of the Ozarks are designed to help graduates be reflective decision-makers and effective teachers. This is approached through an integrated program of general, specialized and professional education combining theory and practice designed to help students gain knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for a successful teaching career. Each graduate of the education program will demonstrate satisfactory knowledge and understanding of: 1) significant content in the liberal arts core component of the program; 2) a variety of teaching methods and their application to the teaching-learning process; 3) a variety of evaluation techniques essential to effective assessment of student learning; 4) the profession of teaching as documented in current research; 5) the specialized areas of study; and 6) a strong Christ-like character dedicated to intellectual growth, hard work, and service to God and the education profession.

Requirements:

Early Childhood concentration: additional 16 credit hours

• EDU 222 - Math for Early Childhood
• EDU 233 - Early Childhood Literacy
• EDU 332 - Identifying and Prescribing Instruction in Early Childhood
• EDU 403 - Early Childhood Program Management
• EDU 433 - Early Childhood Curriculum
• FCC 323 - Working With Parents

Note:

All Elementary and Secondary Majors should apply for admission to the Teacher Education program by the end of their fourth semester. Minimum standards for admission include: 1) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and passing all sections of the MoGEA (Missouri General Education Assessment); 2) 30 semester hours course work completed; 3) ACT score on file.

Students must apply for permission to enroll in student teaching the semester preceding the student teaching semester. Minimum standards for permission to enroll include: 1) minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 with minimum 3.0 in major and professional courses; 2) successful completion of teaching certification course requirements in one or more teaching fields; 3) minimum grade of  “C-“ in all professional education and major field courses required; 4) Successful completion of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Exit Exam is required prior to student teaching.

NOTE: College of the Ozarks Teacher Education Program and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Certification Standards that are in effect at the time of program completion must be met in order to be recommended for teaching certification.

College of the Ozarks students who completed the professional educational programs for teacher certification had a 100% pass rate on the prescribed state licensure tests for 2014-2015.