Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Early Childhood Education (PK-4)/Special Education (PK-12), Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED)

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

GPA must be 3.0 or higher for Teacher Candidacy.

A 3.0 GPA and passing subject area assessment (PECT) or a 2.8 GPA and a qualifying passing subject area assessment (PECT) score (as determined by PDE) is required for certification.

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements98

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 210Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Additional Rock Studies 2 Requirements (12 credits)
SOWK 105Human Diversity3
SPED 121Overview of Special Education 23
PE 243Educational Movement in Health & Wellness 23
or DANC 223 Creative Dance for Children
MATH 310Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II 23
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Indicates coursework required for the ELEC Major as per PA Dept. of Education Certification Policy.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major Requirements

  • 49 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 49 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Foundation Courses
ELEC 100Early Childhood Education Theory & Practice 13
ELEC 200Child Development Typical 13
ELEC 348Leadership, Advocacy & Program Development 13
PE 243Educational Movement in Health & Wellness 13
or DANC 223 Creative Dance for Children
SPED 121Overview of Special Education 13
SPED 222Introduction to Special Education Law3
SPED 230Early Intervention Practices for Students with Disabilities 13
SPED 245Technology in Special Education3
Subtotal24
Diversity Block 2
ELEC 230Field-Based Child Development Typical 13
ELEC 237ELL Strategies and Practice for Early Childhood Education 13
ELEC 281Family and Community Diversity and Partnerships 13
Subtotal9
Early Literacy Block 2
ELEC 238Literacy Practices for the Emergent Learner, PK-1 13
ELEC 285Integrating Creative Expression through the Arts 13
Subtotal6
Block 1 3
ELEC 311Mathematics & Literacy Teaching Lab Pre K - 4 11
ELEC 316Developmental Formal and Informal Assessments 13
ELEC 330Literacy Practices for the Developing Learner, Grades 2 - 4 13
ELEC 340Mathematics Methods and Strategies for PRE K - 4 Teachers 13
SPED 350Universal Intervention3
Subtotal13
Block 2 3
Must complete Block 1 first
ELEC 420Early Childhood Field Experience 13
ELEC 460Instructional Strategies for Science and Technology 13
ELEC 470Social Studies & Citizenship 13
ELEC 480Assessment for Differentiation of Literacy Instruction 13
SPED 360Targeted Instructional and Behavioral Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners3
Subtotal15
Block 3
Must complete blocks 1 and 2 first
SPED 431Intense Behavioral and Emotional Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners 13
SPED 432Intensive ELA Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners 13
SPED 433Assessment Strategies in Special Education 13
SPED 434Professional Collaboration and Ethical Practices 13
SPED 435Processes and Procedures in Special Education3
SPED 436Intensive Mathematics Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners3
Subtotal18
Student Teaching
All previously listed coursework must be completed prior to Student Teaching
ELEC 455Student Teaching: Early Childhood 16
SPED 440Seminar in Special Education1
SPED 455Student Teaching - Special Education 16
or ELEC 475 International Student Teaching: Early Childhood
Subtotal13
Total Hours98
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements but not for Major GPA

2

Diversity and Early Literacy blocks can be taken in any order, but not at the same time. You must enroll in all courses within the block.

3

Blocks 1, 2, and 3 must be taken in sequence and completed prior to Student Teaching. No two blocks below can be taken together. You must enroll in all courses within the block.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs
  2. High-Impact Practice (HIP) designated classes
  3. Student-Faculty research and Student Leadership development
  4. Career Education and Development
  5. Internships/Field Experiences
  6. Student teaching (required)

Important Information

Prerequisites for Admission to Teacher Candidacy

  • Grades below a “C” are not admissible.
Basic Courses
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
ELEC 100Early Childhood Education Theory & Practice3
ELEC 200Child Development Typical3
ELEC 230Field-Based Child Development Typical3
Math Requirement for BS in Education
Prior to Admission to Teacher Candidacy. Minimum grade of "D" required.
MATH 210Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I3
MATH 310Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II3
Total Hours24

BSED Early Childhood (PK-4)/Special Education (PK-12) Grade Requirements

  • Grades in each of the following courses must be “C” or better to qualify for Student Teaching and/or Graduation
ELEC 100Early Childhood Education Theory & Practice3
ELEC 200Child Development Typical3
ELEC 230Field-Based Child Development Typical3
ELEC 237ELL Strategies and Practice for Early Childhood Education3
ELEC 238Literacy Practices for the Emergent Learner, PK-13
ELEC 281Family and Community Diversity and Partnerships3
ELEC 285Integrating Creative Expression through the Arts3
ELEC 311Mathematics & Literacy Teaching Lab Pre K - 41
ELEC 316Developmental Formal and Informal Assessments3
ELEC 330Literacy Practices for the Developing Learner, Grades 2 - 43
ELEC 340Mathematics Methods and Strategies for PRE K - 4 Teachers3
ELEC 348Leadership, Advocacy & Program Development3
ELEC 420Early Childhood Field Experience3
ELEC 455Student Teaching: Early Childhood12
or ELEC 475 International Student Teaching: Early Childhood
ELEC 460Instructional Strategies for Science and Technology3
ELEC 470Social Studies & Citizenship3
ELEC 480Assessment for Differentiation of Literacy Instruction3
PE 243Educational Movement in Health & Wellness3
or DANC 223 Creative Dance for Children
SPED 121Overview of Special Education3
SPED 222Introduction to Special Education Law3
SPED 230Early Intervention Practices for Students with Disabilities3
SPED 245Technology in Special Education3
SPED 350Universal Intervention3
SPED 360Targeted Instructional and Behavioral Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners3
SPED 431Intense Behavioral and Emotional Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners3
SPED 432Intensive ELA Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners3
SPED 433Assessment Strategies in Special Education3
SPED 434Professional Collaboration and Ethical Practices3
SPED 435Processes and Procedures in Special Education3
SPED 436Intensive Mathematics Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners3
SPED 440Seminar in Special Education1
SPED 455Student Teaching - Special Education3-12

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

Early Childhood (PK-4)/Special Education (K-8) BSED - (1192)
Effective Fall 2021
Revised 7.17.2023
UCC 03.02.2021

Recommended Four-Year Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
SPED 121 Overview of Special Education 3
ELEC 100 Early Childhood Education Theory & Practice 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
SPED 222 Introduction to Special Education Law 3
ELEC 200 Child Development Typical 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
MATH 210 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
 Hours18
Second Year
Fall
SPED 230 Early Intervention Practices for Students with Disabilities 3
ELEC 230 Field-Based Child Development Typical 3
ELEC 237 ELL Strategies and Practice for Early Childhood Education 3
ELEC 281 Family and Community Diversity and Partnerships 3
MATH 310 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
 Hours18
Spring
ELEC 238 Literacy Practices for the Emergent Learner, PK-1 3
ELEC 285 Integrating Creative Expression through the Arts 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
SOWK 105 Human Diversity 3
SPED 245 Technology in Special Education 3
 Hours18
Third Year
Fall
SPED 350 Universal Intervention 3
ELEC 311 Mathematics & Literacy Teaching Lab Pre K - 4 1
ELEC 316 Developmental Formal and Informal Assessments 3
ELEC 330 Literacy Practices for the Developing Learner, Grades 2 - 4 3
ELEC 340 Mathematics Methods and Strategies for PRE K - 4 Teachers 3
PE 243 Educational Movement in Health & Wellness 3
 Hours16
Spring
SPED 360 Targeted Instructional and Behavioral Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners 3
ELEC 348 Leadership, Advocacy & Program Development 3
ELEC 420 Early Childhood Field Experience 3
ELEC 460 Instructional Strategies for Science and Technology 3
ELEC 470 Social Studies & Citizenship 3
ELEC 480 Assessment for Differentiation of Literacy Instruction 3
 Hours18
Fourth Year
Fall
SPED 431 Intense Behavioral and Emotional Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners 3
SPED 432 Intensive ELA Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners 3
SPED 433 Assessment Strategies in Special Education 3
SPED 434 Professional Collaboration and Ethical Practices 3
SPED 435 Processes and Procedures in Special Education 3
SPED 436 Intensive Mathematics Interventions for Neuro-Diverse Learners 3
 Hours18
Spring
SPED 440 Seminar in Special Education 1
SPED 455
Student Teaching - Special Education
or International Student Teaching: Early Childhood
6
ELEC 455 Student Teaching: Early Childhood 6
 Hours13
 Total Hours**135
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 1192
Revised: 09.20.2021