Early Childhood Education Program at Fredonia
You can change the world by influencing young minds as an elementary school teacher. The Early Childhood Education program prepares teacher candidates for certification in Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade 2). Fredonia’s cutting-edge approach of developing high quality programs enhanced by rich clinical experience is supported by a long history of alumni now in successful teaching careers across the country.
The Fredonia Difference
Fredonia is the gold standard of teacher education, being a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a nationally recognized accrediting body approved by New York State Education Department. As a future teacher, you will be in the field - in a real classroom - as soon as your first semester. The program emphasizes appropriate development as you go along, making your educational experience exciting but not overwhelming. As part of our teacher preparation program, teacher candidates complete a series of four field-based experiences in local schools. Each field experience is taught in conjunction with a required educational course to clearly connect educational theory and practice. During these field experiences, candidates spend a minimum of four hours per week, for approximately eight weeks, in a classroom working as instructional assistants. Each of these field experiences is highly structured, well-supervised, and intended to provide multiple opportunities for teacher candidates to plan, instruct, reflect, and respond to students in general education classroom settings.
Career Opportunities for Early Childhood Education
- Early childhood center teacher
- Early childhood center director
- Public and private elementary teacher
- School building and district administrator
- Researcher at a toy manufacturer
- Child related business owner
It's Different Here
Why Early Childhood Education at Fredonia?
Accreditation
Fredonia's College of Education is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a nationally recognized accrediting body approved by New York State Education Department.
NYC Student teaching session
You can experience New York City at Fredonia prices. You receive a scholarship to live in Manhattan while student teaching.
Experience London
The United Kingdom Student Exchange Program, now in its 25th year, offers you the opportunity to visit and study in the U.K.
Sample Courses
MUED 315 Music, Play, and Self
A course primarily for students with little or no previous musical knowledge or skill. Examines the relationships among music, play and self, especially with regard to children. Emphasizes activity, creativity and personal expression.
EDU 225 Child Development
Orderly sequence of childhood growth and development. Principles of physical, intellectual and personality changes emphasized, along with procedures for evaluating relevant research.
EDU 214 Introduction to Children's Literature
Designed to assist students in becoming widely acquainted with the great wealth of trade (library) books and media available for today's children, preschool through middle school
Program Additional Links
What does a 4-year degree look like?
What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain this degree?