The early childhood education major provides a course of study leading to certification to teach children from birth through third grade. This major requires that students complete 78 hours of credit. As an option, students may complete an additional three credit course for Early Childhood special education approval. Students completing this major are eligible for a bachelor of science degree.

Progam Description

Greenville College has served the needs of new teachers since 1929. This legacy continues today as we prepare teacher candidates to meet the demands of teaching as we enter the 21st century. In keeping with the institutional mission, the program theme notes that Greenville College is "preparing teachers to serve in a culturally diverse world." The theme both informs and guides the structure and delivery of program opportunities. It is manifested in our goal to help future teachers to reflect critically on the process of teaching, their relationships to students, and the role of education in a pluralistic society.

The program of teacher education includes a planned sequence of courses in professional
preparation for teaching. The coursework includes field and clinical assignments within public
or accredited private schools to provide candidates with a balance of theoretical and practical
experiences. Students interested in Teacher Education should enroll in EDU 101: Introduction to
Educational Practice no later than the Interterm of the freshman year.

Students wanting to major in education must be admitted to the teacher education program. An
application should be submitted upon successful completion of EDU 101. A minimum cumulative
GPA of 2.7 is required for admission, and all applicants must have a criminal background check
returned with no incidences to be admitted into the education program. Students must also be
admitted into the professional internship which includes student teaching. Application should
be made during the fall semester of the junior year. Criteria for admission includes written
recommendations from the major department and the Education Department, and a grade
point average of 2.75 in each of the following: all college coursework, professional education
coursework, and coursework in the major area of concentration.

Candidates admitted to the professional internship (student teaching) must complete EDU 400
Early Experience and the appropriate clinical methods course prior to student teaching Student
teachers are placed with qualified cooperating teachers and follow the schedule of the designated school district for the duration of the experience. At least three weeks of full teaching responsibility are assigned for each student teacher. College consultants serve as liaisons for the College and supervisors of the experience.

The education program is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, which participates in an interstate certification agreement with 37 other states and the District of Columbia. Institutional memberships include the American and Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in Private Colleges, the American andIllinois Association for School, College and University Staffing, and the Association of Christian Schools International.

Teacher candidates may complete requirements for any of the twelve certifiable areas offered
by Greenville College. Requirements for all teaching majors are detailed in the Traditional
Undergraduate Guide to Teacher Education, which is available in the Teacher Education Office.