Early Childhood Inclusive Initial Certification

Program: Early Childhood Inclusive
Degree Level: Graduate Non-Degree Seeking
Credit Hours: 80 - 83 credit hours
Delivery Format: Online with supervised school-based experiences and student teaching.
Prerequisites: A completed Bachelor's Degree in any non-teaching discipline is required.

UNK Transfer Guide: For more information, click here.

The online Early Childhood Inclusive program is designed for in-service teachers, assistants in preschools, staff in HeadStart programs, and other non-traditional students who are unable to attend regular face-to-face classes at a university. Students pursuing certification in other states must check with their State Department of Education for certification requirements. A review of your transcripts will examine the courses you've already completed toward the Initial Certification program and will determine how many of the program's 80-83 hours will be needed for completion.

This program is offered in lieu of a traditional Early Childhood Inclusive Bachelor's Degree. This means that while you will not receive a second bachelor’s degree, you will receive a certification in Early Childhood Inclusive.

Students pursuing certification in other states must check with their State Department of Education for certification requirements.

Course Requirements

Professional Sequence: (27 credit hours)

TE 100 - Teaching in a Democratic Society
TE 204 - Typical and Atypical Growth & Development
TE 206 - Instructional Technology & the Preservice Teacher
TE 318 - Management/Assessment in Preschool/Elementary Classrooms
TE 411 - Inclusive Practices for Students with Exceptionalities in PreK-8 Classrooms
TE 400 - Student Teaching (12 credit hours)

Program-Specific Courses: (53 - 56 credit hours)

TE 311 - Math Methods I
TE 313 - Field Experience: Math
TE 314 - Phonics and Word Study
TE 315 - Literacy Assessment
TE 316 - Primary Grades Literacy
TE 317 - Field Experience: Literacy
TE 341 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education
TE 342 - Literacy Methods for the Preschool Teacher
TE 343 - Methods of Inclusive Education; Birth to Age 3
TE 343L - Field Experience: Birth to Age 3
TE 344 - Methods of Inclusive Education; Ages 3-5
TE 344L - Field Experience: Ages 3 - 5
TE 346 - Early Childhood Program Administration
TE 348 - Math, Science, and Social Studies for Children 0-8
TE 349 - Supporting Young Children Through Family & Community Involvement
MATH 104 - Concepts in Mathematics and Statistics OR MATH 102 College Algebra
MATH 230 - Math for Elementary Teachers I
MUS 404 - Music & Movement for Early Childhood Teachers
PE 247 - Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children
TESE 333 - Serving Young Children with Special Needs
TESE 334 - Assessment and Intervention
TESE 334L - Field Experience: Assessment and Intervention

Pick one of the following specializations:

1.) Specialization Birth - Kindergarten

FAMS 302 - Parent Education
TE 336 - Methods for Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms
TE 338 - Infant and Toddler Mental Health
TE 339 - Infant and Toddler Curriculum
TE 347 - Literacy Methods 0 - 3

2.) Specialization Age 3 - Grade 3

MATH 330 - Math for Elementary Teachers II
TE 312 - Math Methods II
TE 313 - Field Experience: Math
TE 335 - Inclusive Methods K - 3
TE 335L - Field Experience: Inclusive Methods K - 3
TE 336 - Methods for Preschool and Kindergarten Classrooms

Courses are rotated regularly and by demand. Full course descriptions are listed in the UNK undergraduate catalog.