You believe children learn best through active engagement, using a wide variety of carefully designed materials.
You understand that classroom environments should foster the development of independence and self-discipline. You know children have an innate need to be part of a supportive community. These are the tenets of the Montessori approach, and they are the standards by which you will train in Lander's Montessori program.
The early childhood education program includes study and practice of specialized teaching methods appropriate for young children and a broad range of content preparation. Candidates who seek early childhood certification may opt to do the additional coursework for a Montessori endorsement at either the undergraduate or graduate levels.
All teacher education programs at Lander University are guided by Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards, a nationally recognized model which outlines teacher competencies "to ensure that every K-12 student reaches the goal of being ready to enter college or the workforce in today's world." InTASC Standards, listed below, provide direction for programs, courses, teaching and teacher candidate assessment:
Transfer Pathway Guides
Lander University has developed articulation agreements with the South Carolina State Technical College system to improve students’ transition from a technical college to Lander University.
Below is the Suggested Course Sequence to help students progress smoothly through the technical college of their choice and Lander University to earn both an Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (LU). All courses listed are required for the degrees, except those where a range of courses is available to choose from, or where courses are listed as electives. The course sequence shown is an example and may be modified in some cases. Students should work closely with their advisor to ensure the chosen courses keep them on track for a timely graduation.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS1 |
CREDIT |
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| A. Core Skills |
|
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| ENGL 101 | Writing and Inquiry I | 3 | |
| ENGL 102 | Writing and Inquiry II | 3 | |
|
Approved Mathematics |
3 | ||
|
B. Humanities and Fine Arts |
6 | ||
| C. Behavioral and Social Perspectives | |||
| HIST 101 | Western Civilization to 1600 OR HIST 102 Western Civilization 1600-1918 OR HIST 111 U.S. History to 1877 OR HIST 111R U.S. History to 1877 OR HIST 112 U.S. History since 1877 OR HIST 112R U.S. History since 1877 OR HIST 121 World Civilizations to 1600 OR HIST 122 World Civilizations 1600-present |
3 | |
| Behavioral and Social Perspectives elective | 3 | ||
| D. Scientific and Mathematical Reasoning | |||
| Approved Science or Mathematics | 3 | ||
| Approved Lab Science | 4 | ||
| E. Founding Documents of the United States | |||
| HIST 111R2 | United States History to 1877 OR HIST 112R2 United States History since 1877 OR POLS 101R2 American National Government |
3 | |
| F. World Cultures | 3 | ||
| G. LINK 101 | 1 | ||
| Total General Education Requirements | 35 | ||
1 For approved courses see the General Education section
2 If you already have credit for HIST 111, do not take HIST 111R; if you already have credit for HIST 112, do not take HIST 112R; if you already have credit for POLS 101, do not take POLS 101R
| MAJOR PROGRAM CORE REQUIREMENTS | CREDIT HOURS |
|
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 106 | Field Experience IA | 0.5 |
| EDUC 202 | Education in America | 3 |
| EDUC 206 | Field Experience IC | 0.5 |
| EDUC 207 | Field Experience ID | 1 |
| ECED 222 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECED 227 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| MATH 203 | Math for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| MONT 474 | Foundations of Reading Montessori Classroom | 3 |
| SPED 223 | Pre K-12 Student Diverse Learning Needs | 3 |
Professional Education Content Preparation These courses can be taken by students only after acceptance into the Professional Program (Candidate Status) |
||
| EDUC 300 | Content Area Reading and Writing | 3 |
| EDUC 302 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC 345 | Instructional Practices of Teaching Reading | 3 |
| ECED 307 | Health and Movement for Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 322 | Science Pedagogy for Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 323 | Math Pedagogy for Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 329 | Field Experience II | 2 |
Montessori Program Emphasis Requirements |
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| MONT 470 | Montessori Methods: Practical Life | 3 |
| MONT 471 | Montessori Methods: Sensorial | 3 |
| MONT 472 | Montessori Philosophy, Educational Theory & Administration/Parent Education | 3 |
| MONT 473 | Methods of Observation & Classroom Leadership | 3 |
| MONT 475 | Montessori Methods: Mathematics | 3 |
| MONT 493 | Montessori Methods: Integrated Curriculum | 3 |
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Fall Semester Courses: |
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| ECED 429 | Clinical Practice A | 3 |
| ECED 405 | Children and Families | 3 |
| ECED 427 | Social Studies for Early Childhood | 3 |
| SPED 321 | Assessing and Teaching Reading to Needs | 3 |
| MONT 429 | Practicum I | 3 |
Spring Semester Courses: |
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| EDUC 461 | Clinical Practice B | 11 |
| EDUC 499 | Teacher Education Seminar | 1 |
| MONT 461 | Practicum II | 3 |
| Total Major Requirements | 90 | |
| Additional Electives | 10 | |
| TOTAL FOR BS DEGREE (MONTESSORI CERTIFICATION COURSES - 24 HOURS) |
135 | |
*Status, as defined below, is determined by factors which include, but are not limited to: PRAXIS Core scores, GPA, course completion, program assessments, and maintenance of professional dispositions.