Early Childhood Education
Upon graduation, students are qualified for two New Jersey certifications [Preschool through grade three (P-3) and Kindergarten through grade six (K-6)-subject to change]. Students must pass the Praxis II Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Exam (#5001 ) to qualify for K-6 certification and the Praxis II Early Childhood Content Knowledge Exam (5025) to qualify for P-3. The emphasis of the program is preschool through third grade. Career opportunities include teaching and guiding children in infant and child care centers, pre-kindergarten programs, and primary through six grade classrooms. Students majoring in early childhood education must also choose a liberal arts or science major listed in the University catalog. To be admitted to the program as a declared major, students are required to successfully complete EC 2900 (or transfer equivalent) with a minimum grade of B- and, as a prerequisite, achieve and maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher from Kean University and all transfer credits, and earn a grade of “C” or better in BIO 1000, COMM 1402, ENG 1030 and in at least one college-level math course. Maintaining a 3.0 GPA is required for continuation in the program. Students must achieve the New Jersey Qualifying score on the Praxis I Core Academic Skills Test prior to admission into the program. NOTE: Prior to the professional internship (EC 4401) students must pass both Praxis II Content Knowledge exams. Early childhood courses are only available to the Kean University student who has been admitted to the program as a declared major. Some Early Childhood courses are also offered online. (Contact the program for further information about these offerings.)