COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAED) in Early Childhood Unified requires a minimum of 129 credit hours and prepares students to teach children from birth through grade 3 in both general and special education settings. In addition to completing Wichita State University’s general education requirements and the requirements of the College of Education, students must successfully complete a comprehensive sequence of professional education courses and field experiences. Admission into the teacher education program is required before enrolling in core education courses, and all teacher education courses require a grade of B- or higher. The curriculum includes foundational studies in U.S. history, life sciences, child development, education, literacy, mathematics, classroom management, diversity, special education law, health and physical activity, and arts integration. Students develop expertise in teaching reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies while learning how to support diverse learners and collaborate effectively with families and communities. The program is organized into progressive stages beginning with pre-core coursework, followed by four professional cores that combine classroom instruction with extensive field experiences. Core I focuses on educational foundations, diversity, and early childhood principles. Core II and Core III emphasize instructional methods, assessment, science of reading, subject-specific teaching strategies, and supervised preteaching internships with infants, toddlers, preschool children, and elementary-age students. The final stage, Core IV, includes full teaching internships in both Early Childhood Unified Birth–PreK settings and Kindergarten through Grade 3 classrooms, allowing students to gain substantial real-world teaching experience. Students also complete a student teaching seminar and the Teacher Licensure Capstone as part of their graduation requirements. Graduates are eligible to pursue both elementary teaching and early childhood unified licensure, significantly expanding their employment opportunities in schools, early childhood centers, and special education environments. Through the support of the College of Education and Wichita State University, the program provides extensive classroom preparation, practical training, and professional development, equipping graduates with the skills needed to support the academic, social, emotional, and developmental growth of young children across a wide range of educational settings.