Early Childhood and Childhood Education
Candidates accepted in the undergraduate Early Childhood and Childhood Education program will work toward a B.S. in Education degree and eligibility for New York State initial certification in both Early Childhood Education (birth - Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grade 1 - 6).
The program is organized into a sequence of six blocks of related courses. All teacher candidates must complete 150 hours of field experience, as part of the education coursework, prior to student teaching. The field experience allows candidates to gain practical experience through the application of the knowledge from coursework.
Anti-Racist Pedagogy in the Program
Our program faculty believes that we must address anti-racist pedagogy, intentionally and substantively, from the first Block of the Early Childhood with Childhood Education program to the last (i.e., ensuring that this is a central focus during student teaching). We further believe that this should be a core part of the program, and our emphasis should be on not just "tolerance" for difference, but on welcoming and belonging. We maintain that this focus is too important not to do right, and will hold regular student and faculty conversations during our Fall and Spring semesters addressing relevant topics, questions and concerns, ideas, books and other resources, etc.
Program Requirements
For more information, specifically with regard to scheduling, please see the Master Schedule.
Concentration
In addition to the General Education requirements, candidates in the grades birth-6 Education programs will need to select a Liberal Arts Concentration in: Art History, Dance, English, Environmental Studies, Foreign Language, Geography, History, Human Development (available only to Early Childhood/Childhood majors), Latin American Studies, Mathematics, Music, Natural Science, Political Science, Theatre, Urban Studies, or Women's Studies.
Please review the Undergraduate Bulletin regarding the courses required for each concentration. Note that the linked Bulletin is for 2022-2023; students must refer to the Bulletin for the academic year in which they matriculated into SUNY Geneseo.
Education Coursework
Block |
Coursework |
| Block I |
*PSYC 215 should be taken in Block I or II as it is a prerequisite or co-requisite for Block II. |
| Block II |
*MATH 140 should be taken in Block I or II as it is a prerequisite for Block III. *MATH 141 should be taken in Block II or III as it is a prerequisite or co-requisite for Block III. |
| Block III |
|
| Block IV |
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| Block V |
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| Block VI |
|
Related Course Requirements
- PSYC 215 Child Development
- MATH 140 & MATH 141 Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Education I & II
- H&PE 350 Health & Safety Issues in Schools
Seminar Requirements
- Infectious Control Seminar (Blood Borne Pathogens) held two times per semester; candidates are notified through campus e-mail
- Child Abuse Seminar held as part of H&PE 350 as well as one time per academic year outside of H&PE 350; candidates are notified through campus e-mail
- SAVE Seminar held as part of H&PE 350 as well as one time per academic year outside of H&PE 350; candidates are notified through campus e-mail
- Dignity for All Students Act held as part of H&PE 350 as well as one time per academic year outside of H&PE 350; candidates are notified through campus e-mail
Other Requirements
Foreign Language Competency
All initial certification programs require the satisfactory completion of the foreign language requirement. For candidates who entered SUNY Geneseo in 2003 or later, the College language requirement is proficiency through the second semester (102) of a foreign language. The foreign language requirement for certification can be satisfied in any one of the following ways:
- a grade of C- or better in a foreign language course at the 102 level or a score on the foreign language placement test that places the student at the 102 level,
- four units of a foreign language in high school (completion of foreign language sequence through Level IV, one year beyond regents exam) and a grade of 85% or better in the New York State Regents Exam,
- a score of 4 or better on the advanced placement examination in a foreign language, or
- equivalent coursework with a minimum grade of C- transferred from another college
American Sign Language proficiency equivalent to 102 level also can be used to fulfill this requirement for students seeking teacher certification.
Minimum Competency Requirement
Teacher candidates must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average to continue in a certification program. In addition, a grade of C- or better is required for each of the following courses:
Early Childhood and Childhood: INTD 203; CURR 213, 313, 316, and 317; ECED 222, 326, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355; FORL 101/102 (for FORL requirement); MATH 140 and 141
Writing Requirement
Candidates in the Early Childhood/Childhood degree program meet the College writing requirement by successfully completing ECED 354.
Admission of Persons with Prior Felony Convictions Policy
All teacher education programs include a clinical/field component. If you have been convicted of a felony, your criminal history record may impede your ability to complete this program and/or become a NYS certified teacher. Please review the SUNY Geneseo policy.