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Academic Programs: Early and Middle Childhood Concentration (for Elementary School Teacher (K-5) Certification)
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Family and Child Studies

Academic Programs: Undergraduate
Early and Middle Childhood Concentration
(For Elementary School Teacher (K-5) Certification)

Office: University Hall, Room 4144
Phone Number: (973) 655-4171
Email: deptfcst@mail.montclair.edu

Overview

The concentration requirements for this program emphasize the study of the family. Through this lens, students learn about family development, relationships, dynamics, functioning, health, and resource management. They examine the various cultural, community, and socioeconomic contexts in which families function and study interventions used to support families across the lifespan. The Early and Middle Childhood Teacher Education Sequence required in this program focuses on the child as a learner and emphasizes developmentally appropriate and integrated curriculum. Students who complete this program are eligible for provisional Elementary Certification (K-5) in the State of New Jersey. (See Teacher Education Office for details in applying to the Teacher Education Program.) They are prepared to teach in grades K-5 in New Jersey public schools. This degree also provides students with the educational background they need to pursue graduate study in a variety of areas.

Course Requirements:

MAJOR AND CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Family and Child Studies Core Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 200 Introduction to Family Studies 3
FCST 248 Family Development over the Life Course 3
FCST 304 Research in Methods for Studying Families and Children 3
 
FCST 315 Field Experiences in Family and Child Services 3
OR
FCST 316 Service-Learning Experiences with Families and Children 3
 
FCST 418 Working with Diverse Families and Children 3
FCST 445 Poverty and Families 3
 
B. Early and Middle Childhood Core Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 214 Child Development I 3
FCST 314 Child Development II: Adolescence 3
PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
 
C. Electives
Select 9 credits of any available FCST courses.
 
ELEMENTARY TEACHER (K-5) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Certification Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 200 Perpectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Democracy 3
ECEL 408 Social Studies and the Arts in Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 427 Explorations: Science, Math, and Technology in the Elementary Classrooms 3
EDFD 220 Philosophical Orientation to Education 3
READ 400 Initial Inquiry into Literacy Development 3
READ 408 Content Area Literacy for Elementary Classrooms 3
  Physiology and Hygiene Requirement** 0-3
 
** See catalog for courses that meet this requirement OR check the list posted in the Teacher Education Admissions and Retention Office in University Hall 1180. This requirement can be met by taking and passing a test administered by the New Jersey State Department of Education.
 
B. Clinical Experiences (Semester before Student Teaching)
Number Name Hours
ECEL 410 Clinical Experience I: Inclusive Elementary Classrooms 2
ECEL 412 Seminar I: Inclusive Elementary Education 1
ECEL 422 Integrating Elementary Curriculum and Assessment for Equity and Diversity 3
 
C. Professional Semester (Student Teaching)
Number Name Hours
ECEL 414 Clinical Experience II: Inclusive Elementary Classrooms 8
ECEL 421 Seminar II: Inclusive Elementary Classrooms 1
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 69-72 credits