COURSE CURRICULUM

This teacher education program in Elementary and Early Childhood Education requires students to complete at least 120 semester credit hours and is designed to prepare future teachers for certification and classroom practice in accordance with Alabama State Board of Education standards. Since certification requirements may change between catalog publications, students must regularly consult academic advisors to ensure they are following the most up-to-date program guidelines before registering for courses each term. The program begins with General Education and Foundational Core requirements, including First Year Compass courses such as UA 101 Legends and EDU 200 Orientation to Teacher Education, along with coursework in psychology or human development. Students must also complete required coursework in natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, U.S. and global citizenship, and world language proficiency, along with a required course in basic music skills. In addition, students must meet specific writing requirements through upper-division courses and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 in overall coursework, teaching field, and professional studies, with a minimum grade of C- in all professional education courses. Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required before entering professional semesters and includes formal application and meeting academic standards, although admission is not guaranteed. The professional phase of the program is divided into multiple semesters that combine coursework and field experiences. Professional Semester 1 introduces foundational topics such as educational psychology, school culture, special education strategies, early childhood curriculum, reading instruction, and music education. Professional Semester 2 focuses on classroom management, literacy, mathematics instruction, science, social studies, and practicum-based engagement with children. Professional Semester 3 emphasizes assessment, language arts instruction, and advanced teaching methods along with a senior practicum experience. The final Professional Semester consists of a full-time internship and seminar experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real classroom environments. Overall, the program provides structured academic preparation and extensive hands-on teaching experience to develop highly qualified early childhood and elementary educators.