Early Childhood Education B.S.Ed. *

Degree requirements and guidelines for teacher education programs require that students majoring early childhood, elementary, and special education successfully complete a minimum of 12 semester hours in liberal arts and sciences course work in each of the academic core areas: English, mathematics, sciences and social sciences (OSHRE policy 3.20.4A).  At NSU, many of the courses in the 4x12 requirement can also count toward the university’s General Education requirements, and students are encouraged to select courses carefully to facilitate progress through their programs.  More information about NSU’s General Education Requirements can be found here. General Education Requirements 

Teacher candidates must demonstrate listening and speaking skills at the novice-high level, as defined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, for a language other than English, including American Sign Language. (OSHRE policy 3.20.4E.)  Students may use foreign language courses to also meet the Global Perspectives category (3 hrs) in General Education requirements. See General Education Requirements for more information. General Education Requirements .

The Early Childhood Non-Certification Early Care option prepares students to work in diverse and inclusive environments, including homes, schools, and other community settings which serve children from birth to age eight and their families. This program option uses an integrative approach to the relationships among individuals, families, and communities and the environments in which they function.

Complete 12 hours from a focus area listed below.

 In addition to courses in the discipline, all students completing a BA or BS degree in Education degree must meet the following requirements for certification.

• Be accepted for admission to teacher education, pre-II internship, and full internship according to published course sequence and guidelines.
• Demonstrate proficiency at the high novice level in a language other than English.
• Develop a portfolio which documents their accomplishments, learning, and strengths related to the competencies, standards, and outcomes established by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  
• Complete all courses in the major and Professional Education Core with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Students entering NSU beginning Fall 2013 must have an overall GPA of 2.75 for admission to teacher education.
• Once admitted to the teacher education program, all majors must continue to maintain a GPA of 2.5 (overall, in their major field of study, and professional education core) through completion with the exception that Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education majors must maintain a GPA of 2.75 (overall, in their major field of study, and professional education) through completion.
• 4 X 12 requirement - Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Special Education programs require completion of 12 semester hours with a grade of “C” or better in the following disciplines: Communication Arts (ENGL, COMM, Literature), Math, Science, and Social Science (ECON, GEOG, HIST, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) prior to graduation.
• All Professional Education majors must complete PSYC 1003 or PSYC 1113.  Advisors recommend those courses be completed as part of the General Education course sequence.

Students admitted to the Teacher Education Program may apply to receive a degree in Education with the Non-Certification Option:

1. When a student realizes that teaching is no longer his/her chosen profession, but he/she wishes to complete an education degree without certification rather than changing major, OR
2. When career goals require a degree in education without teacher certification, OR
3. When circumstances prohibit loss of employment while student teaching.

Students receiving a degree in Education without Certification must:

1. Notify the Director of Clinical Education, in writing, of the desire to pursue an education degree without certification, naming one of the three reasons listed above as the basis for the request;
2. Complete the appropriate agreement form and submit it to the Director. The Director will forward the form, with his or her signature, through the appropriate Chair to the Dean and the Certification Office, where it will be placed in the student’s Clinical Education file.
3. With the exception of student teaching, successfully complete all the courses except for student teaching required for a degree;
4. Follow all policies and procedures and regulations outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook and NSU catalog related to teacher education;
5. Satisfy the full admission requirements for teacher candidacy and the criteria for progression;
6. Successfully complete all courses and field experiences, including Practicum, required for an education degree, with the exception of Student Teaching. With the approval of his/her academic advisor, select and complete twelve (12) additional semester hours of electives. These 12 semester hours of electives replace the student teaching with the approval of his/her advisor and department chair.

Final Semester: Electives- 12 hours

Non Certification Option: With approval of academic advisor, 12 hours may be substituted for the final semester of intern teaching and seminar for a candidate seeking a degree in education without certification. These 12 semester hours of electives replace the final intern teaching requirement.

A student who chooses to receive the Bachelor’s Degree in Education with the Non-Certification Option is not eligible for recommendation for certification by the College of Education until such time the student successfully completes all certification requirements through the College of Education, including the final internship. The student is not considered a program completer for the certification path for which he or she was initially pursuing.

In addition to general education and program requirements stated above, additional hours may be needed to satisfy all minimum degree requirements listed below.

• English Proficiency: Components I and II of English proficiency should be met with grades of “C” or better prior to the completion of 60 credit hours.
• ​A minimum of 124 hours is required. PE activity is limited to four hours. Prior learning credit (CLEP, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc) is limited to 30 hours.
• ​A minimum of 30 hours in residence (from NSU) is required for graduation. PE activity is limited to four hours. Hours in residence exclude zero-level courses and prior learning credit such as CLEP, Advanced Placement, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc.​
• A minimum of 40 hours of 3000/4000 level courses is required for graduation.  ​
• A minimum of 60 hours from a 4-year school is required for graduation excluding zero level and PE activity courses.
• At least fifty percent of the major requirements must be upper division courses (3000 and 4000 level).
• At least 18 hours or fifty percent of the major, whichever is greater, must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
• The minimum number of credit hours required in the Liberal Arts and Sciences varies based on the type of degree.  B.A and B.A.Ed. degrees require at least 80 hours.  B.S. and B.S.Ed. degrees requires at least 55 hours.  Liberal Arts and Science courses are designated with a “#” after the course title.

For more information, see Bachelor’s Degree Requirements.