Online B.S. Early Childhood Education Degree

• Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
• Submit a signed FERPA Release Form.
• Proof of up-to-date TB test.
• A signed Field Placement Requirement Notification form.
• Applicants who do not hold a valid license in the field of education will be required to submit a criminal history background check conducted at the applicant's expense.
  • Admission to and/or progression in designated programs will be based upon criteria set in the Criminal History Background Check Admissions Policy.
• Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• Prior completion of at least 48 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education is required before the candidate is eligible to start a bachelor core program.

• NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools.
  • Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators.
  • Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check and other documentation that is acceptable to the university as part of their application materials, those successful submissions, will only serve to gain admittance to that academic program.
  • All accepted candidates should understand, that at the candidate’s expense, additional background checks, proof of mandated trainings, and/or health related documentation will most likely be required before participating in clinical experiences.

• NOTE: Applicants need to be prepared to have vaccination records on hand, if requested by an outside facility, to prevent delay of any required Field Experiences. Since this is an “outside” of IWU request, it will be up to the student to be prepared.

• Completion of 120 credit hours.
• Completion of the required prerequisite and core courses with a minimum grade of "C" and a minimum GPA of 2.75.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher (Licensure).
• Completion of 30 hours of general education requirements as specified (General Education Requirements).
• Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
• Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Program Requirements

• The BS-Early Childhood Program is a lock-step program. Students who are unable to complete an ECED course or who receive an unsatisfactory grade for their specific program will be allowed to repeat that course with another group of students if arrangements are made with the Registration Change Counselor and the School of Integrated Learning and Development. Tuition and fees will be charged for repeating the course.
• All BS Early Childhood Education candidates will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana's approved content area examination(s) based on the following schedule, or will be administratively withdrawn from the program:
  • If scheduled for student teaching in September, testing is due the preceding April 1st.
  • If scheduled for student teaching in January, testing is due the preceding September 1st.

Student Teaching and Clinical Experience Requirements

• All candidates must complete fourteen weeks of full-time student teaching in a P-3 setting.
• All core course work prior to the required 14-week student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than "C" in each core course to be eligible to student teach.
• All placements for student teaching will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
• Removal from a student teaching experience, and/or field experience, may result in the candidate being permanently withdrawn from the program. A grade of "No Credit" will be issued for the student teaching course and a failing grade will be issued for field experience courses.

Completion Requirements

• Upon completion of the BS Early Childhood Education Licensure Program, candidates will be recommended for P-3 Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the IWU BS Early Childhood Education program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.