Early Childhood Education, B.S.

The major in early childhood education provides the student with a general education curriculum solidly grounded in the liberal arts and professional preparation in one of two programs: early childhood with certification, or early childhood without certification. The certification program includes the option of early childhood (birth-grade 3) and/or early childhood special education (birth-grade 3).

Program Approval

Students must apply for program approval during the second semester of their sophomore year, upon completing 45 hours. Transfer students apply for program approval in their second semester at Fontbonne University. Program approval is based upon the following criteria:

• Completion of EDU 269  without conditions (or a transferred course equivalent);
• Qualifying scores on the Missouri General Education Assessment;
• Satisfactory completion of the program’s approved dispositional assessment
• Successful performance of the essential functions of a major in the Education/Special Education Department
• A cumulative, blended GPA of 3.00* for all professional coursework from all colleges/universities attended;
• A cumulative, blended GPA of 2.75* from all colleges/universities attended;
• Transfer students who have completed Introduction to Classroom Teaching (or equivalent) at another institution must complete a required zero-hour course: EDU 301 Teacher Education at Fontbonne University  

*Content/professional courses must be graded courses; pass/fail grades are not accepted 

Program Approval with Conditions

This designation is available on a one-time only, one-semester basis, and indicates that the student is deficient in one or more of the above categories. The student may continue to major in a certification program with conditions once, for one semester only. Students who do not eradicate all deficiencies will not be allowed to continue in a certification program, will not be admitted into the teacher certification, and therefore, will not be allowed to student teach. 

Rejection for Program Approval

Students who show little or no capability to successfully complete requirements for a certification program in the department will be rejected for program approval, will not be allowed to enroll for additional education coursework in that major, and will be referred for career counseling pursuant to a change of major. A General Studies major with an emphasis in education (which does not lead to certification), could be an option for such students.