Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Birth to Primary Teacher Certification Program

The IECE program emphasizes in-depth academic preparation and field experiences that allow teachers to be knowledgeable about the field of early childhood/special education and to develop critical thinking and lifelong learning skills. The program emphasizes:

• Nurturing students as active agents in their own learning
• Authentic, performance-based assessment of teaching and learning
• Meeting the needs of all students
• Responding constructively to socio-cultural differences among students

The program prepares students interested in working with children from birth to age 5 in a wide variety of settings—day care centers, public and private preschools, community programs, and clinics. This program gives students authentic experiences with infants, toddlers, and preschool children in the areas of curriculum development, typical and atypical child development, programs and services for children and their families, family involvement and intervention, screening and assessment, program administration, current topics, and practicum/action research.

The goals of this program include:

• IECE Teacher Certification
• Preparation of teachers for the education of typical and atypical children in different settings
• Provide background information on Kentucky Child Learning and Assessment Standards

Initial Assessment:  Admission to Teacher Education, Minimum GPA 2.75, GRE 800 (V+Q), three letters of recommendation, professional statement, bachelor’s degree, C or higher in English 102 and oral communication.