Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood-Elementary Education (PreK-4): Special Education

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood-Elementary Education (PreK-4).

The Early Childhood-Elementary Education (PreK-4) with Concentration in Special Education (K-8) program is designed to prepare teachers to work in programs serving diverse learners in a variety of settings in grades pre-kindergarten through four. In addition to certification in early childhood-elementary education, students in this concentration will learn to implement evidence-based instructional practices in classrooms with students of diverse abilities. Furthermore, students will apply their skills in a variety of field experiences including a practicum for diverse learners focused on addressing the needs of special education students and English language learners. (Note: Students must declare the special education concentration (a.k.a. dual certification) prior to the sixth semester as it appears in the eight-semester matrix.)

Summary of Requirements

University Requirements

  • All new students are required to complete the university's General Education (GenEd) curriculum (except where a waiver is noted).
  • All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses at Temple University. The specific writing-intensive courses required for this major are ECED 3296 and SPED 4198.

College Requirements

  • Students must be accepted into the certification program prior to taking methods courses; for further details, see "Candidacy" under College Requirements.
  • Additional University and College requirements are located on the College of Education and Human Development's Academic Policies and Regulations page in this Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Required Courses
MATH 1015Introduction to Numbers & Figures4
EDUC 1016Mathematics for Educators4
or MATH 1021 College Algebra
ECED 2101Child Development, Birth to Nine3
ECED 2104Integrating the Arts into Early Childhood Education3
ECED 2105Cognition and Learning in the Classroom3
ECED 2106Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood: Birth through Kindergarten3
ECED 2187Practicum for Pre-K and Kindergarten3
ECED 3106Literacy Foundations for the Primary Grades: First Grade through Fourth Grade3
ECED 3107Learning Mathematics for the Primary Grades: First through Fourth Grade3
ECED 3109Science for the Early Years3
ECED 3187Practicum for the Primary Grades3
ECED 3207Mathematics and Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge3
ECED 3208Social Studies for the Early Years, Pre K-43
ECED 3296Differentiated Literacy and Assessment3
ECED 4106The Learning Community: Family and Community Relationships3
ECED 4187Senior Practicum in Early Childhood Education6
ECED 4802Senior Seminar I in Early Childhood Education3
ECED 4803Senior Seminar II in Early Childhood Education3
ECED 4588Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education9
EDUC 2103Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States3
SPED 2231Introduction to Special Education3
SPED 3211Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
SPED 4103Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support3
SPED 4198Literacy Instruction and Assessment in Special Education3
TESL 3631Principles and Practice for Teaching English Learners3
Total Credit Hours86

Major Requirements

SPED 2128Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning3
SPED 3201Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Moderate to Significant Disabilities3
SPED 3287Practicum for Diverse Learners3
SPED 4201Effective Transition for Students with Disabilities3
Total Credit Hours12

Suggested Academic Plan

B.S.ED. in Early Childhood-Elementary Education (PreK-4): Optional Concentration in Special Education

Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year

(Certain courses require that a student secure clearances as per the College of Education and Human Development policy; students should check the current list of courses that require clearances on the College of Education and Human Development web site.)

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]34
MATH 1015Introduction to Numbers & Figures1,34
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours17
Spring
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]33
GenEd Breadth Course3
GenEd Breadth Course3
EDUC 2103Socio-cultural Foundations of Education in the United States33
Select one of the following Algebra courses:1,3,44
Mathematics for Educators 
College Algebra 
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 2
Fall
IH 0852 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]33
SPED 2128Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning3
SPED 2231Introduction to Special Education2,33
ECED 2101Child Development, Birth to Nine2,33
GenEd Breadth Course3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
ECED 2104Integrating the Arts into Early Childhood Education3
ECED 2105Cognition and Learning in the Classroom33
ECED 2106Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood: Birth through Kindergarten33
ECED 2187Practicum for Pre-K and Kindergarten33
ECED 4106The Learning Community: Family and Community Relationships3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
ECED 3106Literacy Foundations for the Primary Grades: First Grade through Fourth Grade3
ECED 3107Learning Mathematics for the Primary Grades: First through Fourth Grade13
TESL 3631Principles and Practice for Teaching English Learners23
ECED 3109Science for the Early Years3
ECED 3187Practicum for the Primary Grades3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
ECED 3296Differentiated Literacy and Assessment [WI]3
ECED 3207Mathematics and Science Pedagogical Content Knowledge3
ECED 3208Social Studies for the Early Years, Pre K-43
SPED 3201Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Moderate to Significant Disabilities3
SPED 3287Practicum for Diverse Learners3
SPED 3211Effective Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
 Term Credit Hours18
Year 4
Fall
ECED 4802Senior Seminar I in Early Childhood Education3
ECED 4187Senior Practicum in Early Childhood Education6
SPED 4103Classroom Management and Positive Behavior Support3
SPED 4198Literacy Instruction and Assessment in Special Education [WI]3
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
ECED 4588Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education9
ECED 4803Senior Seminar II in Early Childhood Education3
SPED 4201Effective Transition for Students with Disabilities3
 Term Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours: 126