Education Program Requirements

The early childhood education program includes a semester at Holy Family University during which students do 12 weeks of student teaching. (For 2013-14 the tuition and fees for one semester at Holy Family University will be $13,500 which can be paid through the Bryn Athyn College bursar’s office to take advantage of financial aid.)

Admissions Requirements and Procedures

Admission to the early childhood education program requires a GPA of 2.8 and passing the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) which is a test of basic skills in math, reading, and writing. Passing the PAPA is also a requirement for state certification. Students who do not pass the PAPA may be accepted provisionally into the early childhood education program. Students must attempt the PAPA by the end of winter term in their sophomore year. If a student fails the PAPA, which is the first set of Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests, test(s) can be retaken.

Applicants who are not currently enrolled at Bryn Athyn College should apply for admission to the director of admissions before making formal application to the major.

Course of Study

Students considering a major in early childhood education must plan their program of study carefully from the beginning of their college careers in order to meet all the requirements for state certification within four years. Close consultation with an education program advisor is essential.

Of the total credits required for the degree in early childhood education, 67.5 are to be earned in education and the remainderin required and elective courses in the liberal arts as indicated below.

General Education Requirements

A minimum of 33.5 credits is required from among humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. In addition, students must complete religion residency credits. Specific requirements include:

  • Religion residency requirements*
  • Philosophy 102: Introduction to Philosophy
  • Writing 101: Expository Writing
  • Writing 202: Writing About Literature
  • English 245: Children's Literature (or any 200-level literature course)
  • History 225: History of Colonial America 1607–1763 or History 230: United States History 1763–1877
  • Geography 110: World Regional Geography
  • Six credits in math courses approved for state certification to be completed before junior year.
  • Biology 110: Environmental Science (or any four-credit biology course)
  • Four credits of chemistry, earth science or physics
  • Twelve credits of electives chosen from courses in three of the following four areas:
    • Humanities and Sacred Languages
    • History and Social Sciences
    • Science and Mathematics
    • Fine Arts

Foundational Education Requirements

  • Education 128: Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Education

Early Childhood Education Course Requirements

  • Education 217: Language, Literacy, and Numeracy
  • Education 218: Literacy for Young Learners I
  • Education 219: Literacy for Young Learners II
  • Education 271: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
  • Education 272: Child Development: Birth – Five Years Old
  • Education 273: Child Development: Five – Nine Years Old
  • Education 322: Social Studies and the Young Child
  • Education 323: Math and the Young Child
  • Education 324: Science and the Young Child
  • Education 331: Seminar on Planning, Management, and Assessment
  • Education 332: Play, Movement, and Health
  • Education 333: Seminar on Art
  • Field Experience I: Observation
  • Field Experience II: Exploration
  • Field Experience III: Pre-Student Teaching
  • Special Education 211: Introduction to Special Education
  • Special Education 312: Collaboration, Assessment, and Management
  • Special Education 313: Collaboration and Best Practices
  • EDUN 402*: Student Teaching
  • EDUN 404*: Senior Seminar

* These courses are taken at Holy Family University. Students should see Holy Family University’s catalog for a description of these courses and the requirements for admission. The equivalent of EDUN 402 and EDUN 404 will be offered by Bryn Athyn College education division if a student chooses not to become PA state certified.