Early Childhood Education programs focus on preparing teachers to work with children ages 0-8, in preschools, Head Start, nursery schools, kindergartens and the primary grades (1-3), and child care centers.
Program Philosophy
The philosophy of the Early Childhood Education Program Area is one that emphasizes the child in his/her context of family culture, and community. Faculty believes students need to have opportunities to be with children throughout their undergraduate experience. Consequently over 30% of all the courses involve students working with children. The program philosophy is also geared toward exploring developmentally appropriate practices, emergent curriculum, descriptive assessment, play, hands-on-learning experiences, and problem solving approaches to resolving conflict, and choices for children. Curriculum is never static but is constantly evolving as children and teachers work in partnership to learn. Teachers must be observers, learners, independent decision-makers, yet be reflective and able to collaborate with others. Early Childhood Education Program Options
The Early Childhood Education Program Area is part of the Department of Teaching and Learning within the College of Education and Human Development. The Education programs within the College are fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Colleges of Teacher Education (NCATE). Students have various options in Early Childhood Education: 1) a degree with a major in early childhood education only; 2) a combined major in early childhood education and elementary education; 3) kindergarten endorsement with the combined major or an elementary education major; and 4) an Early Childhood Education minor. There is also a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education for students who want to continue their education after the Bachelor's degree.
Curriculum--Some Courses in Early Childhood Education
(The courses depend on the degree option(s) chosen)
| T&L 286 |
Field Experience in Early Childhood Education (I cr.) |
| T&L 310 |
Intro. to Early Childhood Education (3 cr.) |
| T&L 311 |
Observation and Description of Young Children (3 cr.) |
| T&L 312 |
Home School Relations (3 cr.) |
| T&L 313 |
Young Children's Language & Thought (3 cr.) |
| T&L 314 |
Social and Emotional Lives of Young Children (3 cr.) |
| T&L 320 |
Infant/Toddler Development and Learning (3 cr.) |
| T&L 451 |
Methods and Materials - Pre-Kindergarten (3 cr.) |
| T&L 453 |
Methods and Materials - Kindergarten (2 cr.) |
Admission
Unlike many programs, you can begin taking many of the courses in Early Childhood Education prior to admission to the program. Students desiring to enter a program, however, will need a 2.75 grade point average (GPA), to successfully pass a field experience and pass the PPST test. Additional details regarding admissions policies and procedures for application to the professional degree programs may be found in the UND catalog, website, or in the Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Handbook. University Children's Center
The University Children's Center (UCC) at the University of North Dakota provides child care. UCC also serves as an important training center for University students majoring in early childhood education. The students will have at least one field experience, and most students will have a student teaching experience at UCC. Some students may do their student teaching at Head Start or other accredited programs.
Faculty/Students
The Early Childhood Education Program Area is composed of faculty teaching in collaboration with students pursuing knowledge and skills in Early Childhood Education. This pursuit takes several forms depending on the interests, backgrounds, and goals of the students. The faculty in the Early Childhood Education Program Area has advanced degrees from a variety of colleges and universities, have taught in the field, and have been administrators of a variety of programs. In addition, faculty work closely with Head Start, public schools, Air Force Child Development Centers, and preschools and one of our faculty spent time at the Reggio Emilia Schools in Italy. In other words, the faculty bring education, experience and current knowledge to the field. Most classes in Early Childhood Education are small, about 20-28 students per class. Students receive as much individual attention and/or help as they need or want. Professors are readily available for conference, helping students arrange their classes, and/or writing recommendations for job opportunities.
Career Opportunities
The student with an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education has a solid education for working with children ranging in age from 0-8 years old. There are limitless career opportunities, whether you choose the Early Childhood Education major or the combined major in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Students with an Early Childhood Education degree can teach in public schools (grades K-3), Head Start, Child Development Centers, and preschools, while the combined majors can teach in the above places, as well as in 4th through 8th grade settings. Students interested in Early Childhood Family Education can teach in those school/community settings in Minnesota as an early childhood teacher. Financial Assistance/Scholarships
UND offers a wide variety of financial assistance, including grants, scholarships, loans, work study opportunities, and other financial opportunities. Once enrolled in Early Childhood Education, you are also eligible for scholarships in the program area as well as the College of Education and Human Development. UND
The University of North Dakota is a major residential university located on a 550-acre campus in Grand Forks, a classic college town on the North Dakota-Minnesota border. Greater Grand Forks, with a population of 60,000, has a quality of life ranked among the top in the nation. With about 12,000 students (approximately 10,000 undergraduate, 1,500 graduate, and 450 professional students in law and medicine), UND offers a solid liberal arts foundation, high quality facilities, and outstanding faculty. The state's only law and medical degree programs are located at LJND. The University provides more than 150 fields of study as well as a variety of academic, social, and cultural services and activities. For more information regarding Early Childhood Education contact:
Glenn Olsen, Ph.D.
Early Childhood Education Program Area
Department of Teaching and Learning
Box 7189
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7189
(701) 777-3239
http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/tl
glennolsen@mail.und.nodak.edu
For general enrollment information, contact:
Enrollment Services
Box 8135
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8135
(701) 777-4463
TTY (701) 777-3367
1-800-CALL-UND, ask for ext. 4463
http://go.und.edu
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