Undergraduate

The undergraduate program in elementary education prepares students for the New York State Initial Certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). The program is designed to prepare professionals who honor student diversity by providing opportunities for multiple forms of learning and expression. Students study the contexts as well as the processes of learning. Field assignments are embedded in each course syllabus and incorporated into class discussions. Students complete the Pre- Professional Courses prior to applying for admission to the intensive Professional Preparation Sequence. The Professional Preparation Sequence, typically taken in a student’s final three semesters at the College, is organized in a cohort model, in which students and faculty work together both on campus and in the field.

Who This Program Is For
This program is for current undergraduate students at Queens College looking to obtain their NY State initial teaching certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). Students interested in the Childhood Education major should contact the department as early as freshman year for information about program requirements and the application process. The department holds informational sessions about NYS certification and program requirements several times each semester. First- and second-year students considering careers in elementary education are encouraged to apply.
Queens College has a Jointly Registered Program with Queensborough and LaGuardia Community Colleges. Students who previously attended these institutions should contact the Department during their first semester upon transfer to Queens College.

General Education Requirements
All students at Queens College must fulfill the College’s general education requirements. Students interested in obtaining NYS Initial Certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) must select general education courses corresponding to the NYS learning standards for elementary school teachers. Students may also need additional liberal arts courses to fulfill these NYS requirements. General education courses may not be taken with the P/NC option. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses. Students can obtain a worksheet listing the course selections that fulfill the general education requirements from the Department or from the Academic Advising Center.

Co-Major Requirement
In addition to the general education and major requirements, students must complete a co-major or minor+ 30-credit concentration in one of the liberal arts and sciences programs.  Acceptable QC Majors and Minors

Major Requirements
The major in Early Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) consists of two sets of courses: Pre – Professional courses taken before applying for admission to the program and the Professional Preparation Sequence taken after acceptance to the program. The Pre-Professional courses consist of five courses in education and related disciplines. The Professional Preparation Sequence consists of seven education courses plus two semesters of student teaching. Students may not enroll in courses in the Professional Preparation Sequence until they have applied and been accepted to the major.

Pre-Professional Courses
EECE 201W
EECE 310W
EECE 340

First Semester
EECE 311 Children in Cultural Contexts II: Learning and Teaching (3 cr.)
EECE 341 Language and Literacy Development: Teaching Reading (3 cr.)

Second Semester
EECE 350 Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (3 cr.)
EECE 351 Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3 cr.)
EECE 352 Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School (3 cr.)
*EECE 360 Practicum 1: Curriculum in Action (3 cr.)
*Student teaching in NYC Public Schools- Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 7:50 am-2:30 pm

Third & Final Semester
EECE 220 Modern Learning Technologies (3 cr.)
ECPSE 350 Foundations of Special Education (3 cr.)
**EECE 361 Practicum 2: Student Teaching (6 cr.)
**Student teaching in NYC Public Schools- Monday – Friday 7:50 am -2:30 pm