Early Childhood Education Pathway Program Pre K-4, B.A. - Course Requirements

This program affords working professionals in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degrees in education while maintaining their daytime employment.

Courses are held in an eight-week blended format. Students complete the program as part of a cohort. Applicants must meet a basic skills requirement as specified by PDE and have completed an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in CCP’s Birth-4th Grade Program or BCCC’s PreK-4 Early Education Program. Students must also meet the requirements for entry into the School of Education stipulated for all pre-service teachers. These requirements comprise completion of 48 credits, which includes two college mathematics courses, an approved literature course and an English composition course.

Students must submit two faculty evaluations using the Holy Family University Faculty Evaluation forms and have up-to-date clearances. This material must be submitted to the Compliance/Certification Officer in HFU’s School of Education. A student must graduate with 122 credits for the degree. Depending on the number of credits that a transfer student brings into Holy Family, the student may need to take additional coursework at Holy Family University to meet the 122 credit degree threshold for the ECE Pathway PreK-4 degree.

ECE Pathway PreK-4 Requirements

(Offered Through the School of Graduate and Adult Admissions Only)

  • Core Curriculum: BA requirements* - 45 Credits

Concentration Requirements

Field experience may be required.

Course ID

Course Name

Credits

ECE 115*

Foundations of Education

3

ECE 201*

Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3

ECE 202*

Child Development and Learning

3

ECE 203*

Early Language and Literacy

3

ECE 205*

Theory and Practice in Educational Psychology

3

ECE 206*

Engaging Learners through the Arts

3

ECE 301

Literacy Assessment and Instruction

3

ECE 302

Science Theory and Instruction

3

ECE 303

Mathematics Theory and Instruction

3

ECE 304

Social Studies Theory and Instruction

3

ECE 310

Language Arts Theory and Instruction

3

ECE 311a

Theory and Practicum Ia

0.5

ECE 311b

Theory and Practicum Ib

0.5

ECE 312a

Theory and Practicum IIa

0.5

ECE 312b

Theory and Practicum IIb

0.5

ECE 401a

Student Teaching Part a

6

ECE 401b

Student Teaching Part b

6

ESP 308

Positive Management Strategies in Special Education

3

ESP 408a

Family and Consultative Models A

1.5

ESP 408b

Family and Consultative Models B

1.5

Related Education Requirements

EDU 303

Meeting the Needs of English Language Learners

3

ESP 203*

Inclusive Education for All Learners

3

ESP 206

Collaboration and Assessment

3

ESP 304

Collaboration and Best Practices

3

Related Requirements

MAT 110*

Quantitative Literacy (higher level Mathematics substitution may be possible)

3-4

MAT 111*

Mathematical Foundations (higher level Mathematics substitution may be possible)

3-4

ENG 201*

World Literature I

3

 

Free Electives Elective courses

9

*Students who completed an Associate in Arts (AA) degree in CCP’s Birth-4th Grade Program or BCCC’s PreK-4 Early Education Program completed equivalents to these courses as part of their Associate in Arts degree program.

Note: The following courses are strongly recommended for this program:

  • ESP 405: Enhancing Communication and Literacy through Technology - 3 Credits
  • ESP 407: Assessment & Instructional Design in Special Education - 3 Credits
  • ESP 409: Including Students with Significant Support Needs - 3 Credits

Other Requirements

  • Successful completion of the School of Education comprehensive examination
  • Completion of education courses and field experiences takes 11 sessions (5.5 semesters) or 22 months.