Program Coordinator: Susannah Berry (130 Rivers West; 252-328-1332; berrys@ecu.edu)
Freshmen may declare birth through kindergarten (BK) teacher education as their major. Transfer students must have completed at least 12 s.h. at East Carolina University with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 to declare. Prior to enrolling in selected courses, all BK majors must be admitted to the Upper Division of Teacher Education. Requirements for admission to upper division include, but are not limited to, satisfactory scores on all parts of PRAXIS Core, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, and demonstration of computer competency. In addition, BK majors must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses required for the major. Students earning less than a C (2.0) in a prerequisite major course must repeat the course before the subsequent upper-level course may be taken.
A semester-long internship is the culminating experience for BK Teacher Education majors. Applications for admission to internship (HDFS 4324, 4325) must be submitted to the internship coordinator one year prior to the semester in which the student will complete internship requirements. Prior to internship, BK majors must have completed the following courses with a minimum grade of C (2.0): HDFS 1103, 2000, 2001, 2123, 2124, 3150, 3306, 3321, 3715, 4121, 4122, 4123, 4200, 4201, 4300, 4320; EDTC 4001; EDUC 3002, 3200; READ 3301; SPED 2000. Students who successfully complete all requirements and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 are recommended for BK licensure. A minimum grade of C (2.0) in internship is required for licensure. Additional information about upper division, internship, and NC teacher licensure can be found in the College of Education section of this catalog and in the handbook, Welcome to Teacher Education.
The birth through kindergarten (BK) teacher education program is offered both on-campus and online. Online delivery is designed as a 2 + 2 degree-completion program that is administered in cohorts. To be admitted to a distance education (DE) cohort, individuals must first be admitted to ECU and contact the DE coordinator for admission to the BS BK DE cohort. Criteria for admission to the BS BK DE cohort include completion of all general education requirements, passing scores on all parts of PRAXIS Core (or designated SAT or ACT scores,) computer competency, and reliable Internet access. The BS in BK teacher education program requires on-campus attendance for orientation, admission to upper division interviews, and senior-year internship seminars.
The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:
East Carolina University