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Academic Programs: Early Childhood Concentration (for Preschool to Third Grade Teacher (P-3) Certification)
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Family and Child Studies

Academic Programs: Undergraduate
Early Childhood Concentration
(For Preschool to Third Grade Teacher (P-3) 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 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 Preschool Through Third Grade Teacher Certification (P-3) 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 day care centers, private and public school sponsored preschool programs, and in grades K-3 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 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.
 
EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER (P-3) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
A. Certification Courses
Number Name Hours
ECEL 200 Perpectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Democracy 3
ECEL 216 Arts and Creative Expression in Early Childhood 3
 
ECEL 219 Language and Literature for Young Children 3
OR
READ 209 Children's Literature for a Multicultural Society 3
 
ECEL 417 Problem Solving in Science, Math, and Technology in Early Childhood Classrooms 3
ECEL 420 Building Programs and Community in Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms 3
EDFD 220 Philosophical Orientation to Education 3
PSYC 235 Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth 3
READ 400 Initial Inquiry into Literacy Development 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 411 Clinical Experience I: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms 2
ECEL 413 Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms 1
ECEL 435 Content Integration and Assessment in Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms 3
 
C. Professional Semester (Student Teaching)
Number Name Hours
ECEL 415 Clinical Experience II: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms 8
ECEL 419 Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood Classrooms 1
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 75-78 credits