Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education – Emphasis in Early Childhood

Overview

The Elementary Education-Early Childhood program at Arizona Christian University trains you in the art and science of teaching children. Three key attributes of the program prepare you for a successful career in education. First, the program emphasizes the integration of education principles across the teaching profession. You will learn that teaching is not compartmentalized but it is a rich combination of research-based theories and hands-on practical experience. Second, the program emphasizes practicality. Through the lens of extensive experience, ACU faculty provide you with timely and valuable glimpses into today’s classrooms. The final and most valuable attribute is the emphasis on mentoring. Because of the intentional small class sizes at ACU, you will be able to develop strong mentoring relationships with your instructors. This mentoring begins in the classroom, continues through student teaching, and beyond graduation.

Why Early Childhood Education at ACU?

In addition to a faculty to student ratio of 17:1 and a rigorous, biblically-integrated curriculum, ACU’s Elementary Education-Early Childhood program offers several unique advantages:

  • ACU’s education graduates are in great demand locally and abroad.
  • ACU is one of 24 universities in the United States and the only one in Arizona that is certified by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).
  • ACU’s Elementary Education program is approved by the Arizona Department of Education.
  • Faculty in the department have an average of 20 years of experience in the field, meaning you are taught by leaders in education who have extensive classroom experience.
  • Small class sizes create a safe, comfortable setting to practice your teaching and hone your skills.
  • God’s Word and His Truths are foundational in all coursework at ACU.
  • All graduates in the certified program also graduate with full ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) certification, which provides opportunities to teach internationally.

Beginning your first year, our phenomenal faculty and staff commit to do our part while you do yours, providing you with personalized, on-on-one support, and benefits unique to ACU. Click HERE for a detailed layout of your expectations and benefits as an education major. Just think of it as All As- ACU benefits, ADE approved, and ACSI certified.

What will I study?

The Elementary Education-Early Childhood program provides a biblical liberal arts foundation with an innovative approach to general studies. CORE courses reclaim a Christian conception of the Liberal Arts, preparing students to be influential thinkers. Career-related focus areas will include:

  • Educational psychology
  • Curriculum and instruction methods for birth through grade 8
  • Human development with an emphasis in early childhood
  • Research based methods teaching Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and, Social Studies
  • Special education methods starting at birth through grade 8
  • Children’s literature
  • Classroom management
  • Methods for teaching English language learners

 

Career Paths

Graduates who meet the requirements of the Elementary Education-Early Childhood program are prepared to

  • Teach birth – 8th grade at a charter, private, or public school.
  • Teach in Christian schools in the United States and all over the world because of their ACSI Certification.
  • Obtain master’s degrees in leadership, curriculum and instruction, administration, special education, or in their content area.
  • Work with children in various church, parachurch, and nonprofit organizations.

     

    Early Childhood


    Overview


    Career Paths


    Courses

    Shelly Roden School of Education

    Arizona Christian University
    Building 2000
    1 W. Firestorm Way
    Glendale, AZ 85306

      Phone:
    (602) 489-5300

      Email:
    [email protected]

    Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosure Statement

    In compliance with U.S. Federal Regulations (34 CFR § 668.50 and 34 CFR § 668.43) and as a participating member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), Arizona Christian University provides the following disclosures concerning its Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program.

    The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education may lead to Educator Certification in Arizona. All students who satisfactorily complete the Elementary Education certificate program at Arizona Christian University, will receive an Institutional Recommendation (IR) from the university. A program “audit” will be conducted upon completion of the last program requirement to ensure 3.0 GPA in required program coursework (including transfer coursework), a 2.5 GPA overall, tuition/fees paid in full, and materials checked out from library have been returned. The IR will be uploaded to the Arizona Department of Education. It is good for one year and cannot be reissued. The IR saves you time and money when you are applying for your teaching certificate. An informative chart on the benefits of completing the Education Program at ACU can be found at https://www.arizonachristian.edu/education-program-benefits/. Information on Educator Certification in Arizona can be found at the Arizona Department of Education website (https://www.azed.gov/educator-certification).

    Additionally, certificated graduates receive an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) teaching certificate that qualifies them to teach in Christian schools in the 180 U.S. and around the world. For information on how to apply for ACSI certification, please visit their website (https://www.acsi.org/accreditation-certification/certification-for-teachers/certification).

    States vary in their certification requirements. ACU has made reasonable, good faith efforts to determine if its certified education programs meet the applicable education requirement for professional licensure or certification in all fifty states and several U.S. territories. This information can be accessed here.

    These disclosures do not guarantee that any jurisdiction will approve an application for certification, and ACU shall not be held liable for an unsuccessful professional certification application.

    Updated 2/16/2022

    Academic Major Courses

    Core requirements accumulate to 30 credits, 15 credits of Biblical and Theological Studies and 8 credits of science courses.

    CourseCourse NameCredits
    HIS 212US and Arizona Government3
    EDU 300Tests and Measurements3
    EED 302Intro to Health and Fitness1
    EDU 312Human Development3
    EED 313Language Arts in the Elementary School3
    EED 314Science & Social Studies in the Elementary School3
    EDU 314Introduction to the Exceptional Child3
    EDU 315Educational Psychology3
    EED 315Reading and Decoding3
    EED 316Reading Comprehension3
    EDU 317Curriculum and Instruction3
    EDU 415Classroom Management (Taken semester prior to student teaching)3
    EED 417Mathematics in the Elementary School3
    EDU 430Children's Literature3
    SEI 490Structured English Immersion Methods3
    EED 410Directed Student Teaching9
    EED 490Elementary Education Capstone3
    Early Childhood Emphasis (9 credits)
    ECE 260Early Literacy1
    ECE 261Human Development for Young Child1
    ECE 262Learning Environments for Young Child1
    ECE 263Early Childhood Special Education1
    ECE 264Early Childhood Capstone1
    ECE 265Early Childhood Fieldwork I1
    ECE 266Early Childhood Fieldwork II1
    ECE 267Early Childhood Fieldwork III1
    ECE 268Early Childhood Fieldwork IV1