PK-3 ECE Specialist Credential Program
Credential requirements specified in this catalog are subject to changes made by the State of California.
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Contact the Department of Teacher Education or the Credential Student Services Center (CSSC) for current regulations.
Program Description
The PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential is primarily designed for persons who wish to teach young children in grades PK through 3. This credential focuses on developmentally appropriate practices and candidates are expected to design, implement, and facilitate learning activities throughout this grade span which engage students according to their developmental level and value each child’s cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic, and cultural experiences, and other relevant background characteristics, assets, and abilities as well as any area(s) of special needs.
The Program includes foundational coursework in educational psychology, working with diverse populations, teaching English language learners, and teaching students with special needs; a full complement of discipline-based methods courses; and two semesters of student teaching in elementary schools within the university’s service area. NOTE: You need to apply to and be accepted by both the Department and the University to be accepted to the program.
The program is a full-time one-year cohort-based program and only accepts candidates for June admissions. All classes are offered in a hybrid format and utilize an online and in person platform on the Hayward campus. The summer term begins in early June with classes offered 3-4 days a week. During the fall and spring semesters, candidates are in fieldwork placement four-five days a week and generally have classes two to three evenings per week from 5 pm-8:30 pm. The Saturday in person classes are scheduled between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the Hayward campus. A rolling admissions process is used and applicants with complete applications may receive early admissions.
The Department offers an alternate route to certification: Intern Program*. The application process is the same for both the Traditional and Intern programs. Application and acceptance into the Intern* program occur after program acceptance, and after summer classes have started. The year-long schedule is the same for both traditional-student teaching and intern option.
Authorization
This credential authorizes the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained general education classroom setting and to team teach or to regroup students across classrooms, in preschool through grade three. The English learner (EL) authorization provided through this credential aligns with the EL authorization that is earned upon completion of a Single, Multiple, or Education Specialist teaching credential program.
Admission Requirements
1. Possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
2. Completion of the subject matter requirement.
Candidates may meet the subject matter competence requirement through one of the following two options: a) Possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a degree major in Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, Early Childhood Studies, Human Development and Family Science, Family Science, or Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies.
b) Completion of 24 semester units or the equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in early childhood education and/or child development.
PK-3 ECE Specialist Credential Program Requirements (40 units)
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