The bachelor of applied science (B.A.Sc.) degree in unified early childhood studies is preparing students for teacher licensure in early childhood (Birth-Grade 3) and early childhood special education (Birth-Age 6). The major meets the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board standards for teaching early childhood (Birth-Grade 3) and early childhood special education (Birth-Age 6) in Minnesota. The unified early childhood studies program and licensures include interdisciplinary curricula that prepare students for work in a variety of settings with children of diverse ability levels, from birth through age eight. Graduates find employment in public schools, community and private preschool programs, early primary grades in elementary schools, programs for children ages birth through six with identified disabilities or delays, home and center-based child care, and Head Start programs. All students complete a common core of courses in child development, parent-child relations, early childhood curriculum and programming, early childhood special education, community resources, and educational leadership and program administration. The unified early childhood studies major leads to Minnesota licensure in early childhood education (birth through grade three) and early childhood special education. International student teaching placements are available. Students should utilize a What-if APAS Report as the official tool to see all requirements to degree completion. Due to the complexity of the admission to the blocks process, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisor on a regular basis to establish a plan for program completion.

Students entering the Unified Early Childhood Studies license program are bound by the policies in effect at the time of application; admission is based on criteria established by the UMD Dept. of Educ, consistent with MN policies as established by the MN Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Students must complete the following to be eligible for admission to Block coursework: a minimum 2.7 major and cumulative GPA, lower division and upper division coursework with a grade of C- or better, liberal education requirements, advanced writing and all requirements outlined online at: https://z.umn.edu/uechapplication. Applications are due the 6th Friday of the semester prior to starting Block 1. Applications for admission can only be completed fall semester for spring semester entry into Block I. See advisor if out of sequence.

1. Compliance with general regulations governing granting of degrees. 2. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress each semester, including grades of C- or better in all courses required in the major and successfully achieve all standards aligned with assignments in each course. 3. Maintain a minimum 2.7 cumulative and major GPA. 4. Demonstrate acceptable professional performance, including dispositions and teaching skills, in clinical experiences; candidate proficiency is assessed throughout the teacher preparation courses by University faculty, University supervisors, and the cooperating teachers in all clinical experiences. The field experience and student teaching assessment forms include knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are aligned to institutional and standards for all clinical experiences. 5. Abide by the MN PELSB and UMD Dept. of Education Code of Ethics. 6. Obtain an approved background check before being placed in field experience, practicum, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Students are required to obtain an approved background check every three years prior to placement in field placement, practicum, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Proof of complete background check is required prior to any experience in public school and agency settings. Students are required to keep a printed copy of the background check to provide to the school or agency, if necessary. 7. Obtain personal liability insurance before being placed in field experience, practicum, or student teaching in schools and agencies. Students are required to have professional liability insurance purchased through the Education Minnesota Student Membership annually while they are completing field placement. Students can purchase the liability insurance online at: https://z.umn.edu/edmnstudentmembership. A paper copy of the liability insurance MUST be provided to the UMD Department of Education when signing the placement agreement each term. 8. Seek out advising each term with an assigned advisor throughout your college career to ensure you are on track for program completion. 9. Adhere to university policies regarding attendance; and in addition to the above expectations, students must abide by all university policies. (http://d.umn.edu/academic-affairs/academic-policies) 10. Students are required to complete a program clearance process as part of the student teaching application to review their degree status with their advisor and the CEHSP ALFE office. Student teaching applications are due the 4th Friday of the semester. Learn more online at: https://z.umn.edu/studentteach. Students must have grades of C- or better in all required courses, and meet the required GPA in the major to be eligible for student teaching. 11. Recommendation for licensure is based on successful completion of all program-related courses; demonstration of satisfactory outcomes required by the program; acceptable performance in clinical experiences, including student teaching (including final student teaching assessments); submission of the edTPA, completion of UMD Dept. of Education graduate exit survey, and successful completion of all tests required by PELSB. 12. Application for admission to the blocks must be submitted by the 6th Friday of the fall and spring semester. Applications are available online at: https://z.umn.edu/uechapplication. Application for admission can ONLY be completed FALL SEMESTER for SPRING SEMESTER ENTRY INTO BLOCK 1.