This certificate offers required coursework for teacher licensure in Early/Primary Education PreK-3. This certificate prepares individuals to work with children, prekindergarten through third grade, and their families.
Admissions
In addition to the ECED concentration coursework, students must complete specific content area coursework in English, mathematics, science, and the social sciences as well as mandated state/accreditation assessments.
The following courses are prerequisites to admission:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 401 | Developmental Pathways of Diverse Learners, Birth-Adolescence | 3 |
| or ECED 501 | Developmental Pathways of Diverse Learners, Birth-Adolescence | |
| ECED 402 | Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse Young Learners, Birth-Age 5 | 3 |
| or ECED 502 | Foundations of Language and Literacy for Diverse Young Learners, Birth-Age 5 | |
| ECED 403 | Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance | 3 |
| or ECED 503 | Inclusive Curriculum for Young Learners: Planning Instruction and Guidance | |
| ECED 404 | Engaging Families of Diverse Learners, Birth – Grade 6 | 3 |
| or ECED 504 | Engaging Families of Diverse Learners, Birth - Grade 6 | |
Policies
Students who have completed equivalent graduate or undergraduate coursework prior to enrollment may request that some courses in this certificate be waived. Students who are eligible to waive coursework must complete a minimum of 15 credits to graduate.
For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
In addition to coursework, students in Virginia Department of Education licensure pathways must complete additional licensure requirements to fulfill graduation requirements. See Degree Requirements.
Certificate Requirements
Total credits: 21
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 511 | Assessment of Diverse Young Learners | 3 |
| ECED 512 | Language and Literacy Assessment and Instruction for Diverse Primary Grade Learners | 3 |
| ECED 513 | Integrating Social Studies Across the Content Areas for Diverse Young Learners | 3 |
| ECED 515 | Mathematics for Diverse Young Learners | 3 |
| ECED 516 | Science for Diverse Young Learners | 3 |
| ECED 781 | Behavior Management Seminar in Inclusive Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECED 788 | Internship in Early Childhood Education Prekindergarten-Third Grade | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Licensure Requirements
Students must successfully complete the following licensure requirements to complete the program. Unless otherwise noted, all requirements must be satisfied prior to graduation:
- Emergency First Aid, Hands-on CPR and AED certification or training
- Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (prior to applying for internship)
- Praxis Teaching Reading Elementary (5205)
- Completion of Content Area Coursework (completed and approved Content Area Review form prior to applying for internship)
Licensure testing requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.