Early Childhood: PreKindergarten - Grade 3 Certification with Bilingual Certification

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The Early Childhood PK-3rd Grade Teacher Certification Program with Bilingual Supplemental Certification is a comprehensive program designed to prepare educators to teach young learners from pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade in diverse, multilingual classrooms. This program equips candidates with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and cultural competency needed to support the academic and social-emotional development of young children in both English and their native language. Graduates of this program are uniquely positioned to meet the growing demand for skilled bilingual educators, ensuring that young children develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a global society.

University Core Requirements (42 hours)

Communication (6 hours)

WRIT 1301 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
WRIT 1302 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3

Mathematics (3 hours)

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3

Life and Physical Sciences (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Creative Arts (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

American History (6 hours)

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit Hours: 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit Hours: 3

Government/Political Science (6 hours)

POLS 2305 - Federal Government Credit Hours: 3
POLS 2306 - Texas Government Credit Hours: 3

Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL approved core list.

Component Area Option (6 hours)

Two 1-hour Life and Physical Science Labs.
COMM 1315 - Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 1100 - Learning Frameworks Credit Hours: 1

College of Education Core Requirements (19 hours)

ECED 1354 - Developmental Theories of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 4100 - PK-3 Teacher Seminar Credit Hours: 1
ECED 4322 - Cultural Awareness for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
INST 3313 - Survey of Instructional Technologies Credit Hours: 3
SPED 2301 - Introduction to Special Populations Credit Hours: 3
SPED 4300 - Survey of Exceptionalities Credit Hours: 3
TCED 1301 - Exploring Teaching as a Profession Credit Hours: 3

Major Requirements (33 hours)

Choose ONE of the following:
ECED 1303 - Children and Families Credit Hours: 3
or
ECED 1311 - Historical and Recent Trends in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3
ECED 1318 - Nutrition, Health and Safety Credit Hours: 3
ECED 4303 - Child Guidance and Classroom Management for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
ECED 4320 - Play in Early Childhood Curriculum Credit Hours: 3
ECED 4332 - Teaching Young Children with Special Needs Credit Hours: 3
MATH 1350 - Mathematics for Teachers I Credit Hours: 3
SILC 4301 - Spanish for Bilingual Teachers Credit Hours: 3
SILC 4310 - Foundations of Bilingual and ESL Education Credit Hours: 3
SILC 4313 - Language Learning Credit Hours: 3
SILC 4351 - Development of Biliteracy Credit Hours: 3
WRIT 3304 - Advanced Writing for Education Credit Hours: 3
or
WRIT 3307 - Advanced Writing Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

*GPA of 2.50 or higher required in ECED coursework.

*Grade of B- or better required in WRIT 3304 .

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission Requirements

Completion of 60 semester credit hours.
Completion of prerequisite coursework (ECED 1354 , ECED 4100 , ECED 4322 , and INST 3313 ).
Public speaking requirement met.
Basic skills in reading, mathematics & writing requirements met.
2.750 GPA overall or in the last 60 semester credit hours.
$57 TEA admission fee.
Completed application for admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).

Teacher Certification Requirements

Passing scores on the appropriate state assessments (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards [TExES] are required for recommendations for teacher certification.
Early Childhood - Grade 3 Content (292)
Science of Teaching Reading (293)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)
Special Education EC-12 (161)
All courses outside the University Core must be C- or better.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Passing scores on the appropriate state assessments (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards [TExES] are required for recommendations for teacher certification.
Early Childhood - Grade 3 Content (292)
Science of Teaching Reading (293)
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)
Special Education EC-12 (161)
All courses outside the University Core must be C- or better.

General Degree Requirements

Students must complete at least 127 semester credit hours. A minimum of 45 hours of the 120 semester hours must be advanced (3000-4000 level) coursework according to the requirements of the respective major.
Students must complete the University Core Curriculum requirements (refer to Core Curriculum requirements in the UHCL Catalog.)
Students must fulfill the statutory requirements of the Texas State Education Code, including the following:
- Six hours of U.S. History (three hours may be Texas History).
- Six hours of Constitutions of the United States and Texas.
Students must demonstrate writing proficiency by completing nine hours of lower-level (1000-2000 level) and upper-level (3000-4000 level) English composition course credit with a minimum grade of “C-” or better. Some majors may require higher grades in English composition.
Students must complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for the degree (i.e., 30 semester credit hours for a 120 credit hour program) through instruction offered by UHCL to fulfill the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) residency requirements.
Students must complete the final 30 semester hours of 3000 and 4000 level coursework in residence at UHCL.
Students must complete a minimum of 12 semester credit hours of upper-level (3000-4000 level) coursework in the major in residence at UHCL.
Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.000 on coursework completed at UHCL with grades of “C” or better on at least 30 hours of resident upper-level work. Grades of “C-“or below cannot be applied toward the 30 hours of resident upper-level work.