Early Childhood/Childhood Education (BS)
New Program Beginning Fall 2025
Department Chair: Marya Grande, Ph.D.
INTRODUCTION
This major prepares candidates in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2). Coursework includes the pedagogical knowledge and skills to ensure that candidates are qualified to teach at these levels and in high needs classroom settings. Many courses are infused with field experiences so candidates build skills as they progress through the program. In addition, each candidate must take coursework as set forth in the Canisius University Core Curriculum and must also choose a 30 credit liberal arts concentration to ensure that they have the content knowledge necessary to teach children from Birth through Grade 6 in general education settings.
Licensure Disclosure
Canisius University cannot determine whether completion of this program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements outside of New York State for the intended occupation. We advise you to contact your state licensing board or appropriate licensing entity to determine whether the program meets requirements for Professional Licensure in the state where you are located or the state in which you intend to pursue licensure. Please contact the associate dean of your school if you have further questions.
QUALIFICATIONS
Academic Criteria for Endorsement and Completion of Program:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Grades of C or higher in major courses and content requirements
- Satisfactory performance in field placements
Students must meet the requirements at all transition points in order to graduate with an education degree and be recommended for teacher certification. Please see School of Education and Human Services website for transition point requirements.
Curriculum
An Ignatian Foundation
All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.
Free Electives
Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECCH 221 | Emergent Literacy | 3 |
| ECCH 222 | Literacy and the Arts in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| ECCH 412 | Managing the Elementary & Secondary Ed Classroom | 3 |
| ECCH_493 Student Teaching-Early/Childhood | 12 | |
| EDE 100 | Human Growth and Development - Birth through Childhood | 3 |
| EDE 390 | Cognition and Learning - Birth through Adolescence | 3 |
| EDE_432 Seminar in Teaching Assessment (50 hours) | 3 | |
| EDU 100 | Exploring the Teaching Profession | 3 |
| EDU 122 | Technology in Education | 3 |
| EDU 250 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDU 272 | Teaching Social Studies Integrating English Language Arts | 3 |
| EDU 428 | Teaching Math and Science: Supporting STEM Education | 3 |
| EDU 494 | Capstone Seminar for Teacher Candidates | 3 |
| EDU 495 | Child Abuse Workshop | 0 |
| EDU 496 | Prevention of School Violence Workshop | 0 |
| EDU 497 | Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop | 0 |
| EDU 498 | Student Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| EDY 208 | Infant/Toddler Care and Education | 3 |
| EDY 209 | Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms | 3 |
| EDY_313 Family & Community Involvment in Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| EDY_312 Teaching Early Childhood Across Disciplines | 3 | |
| SPE 341 | Inclusive Strategies | 3 |
| SPE 356 | Assessment for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Total Credits | 69 | |
Major Electives
Candidates wishing to obtain an extension to teach grades 7-9 in their area of concentration (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Spanish, French and German) must take EMC 352 and EMC 391 in addition to the courses listed. The Science, Music, and Social Justice concentrations do not lead to middle school certification extensions. Keep in mind that NYS requires at least 18 credit hours in a content area to add the middle school certificate.
Additional Course Considerations
Childhood majors need to choose one of the following academic concentrations: English, Mathematics, Biology, Social Studies, Spanish, Liberal Arts, or Social Justice.
Optional Extensions to Teach at Additional Grade Levels
MIDDLE CHILDHOOD EXTENSION
Candidates wishing to obtain an extension to teach grades 5-6 for Adolescence majors or 7-9 for Childhood majors in their area of concentration (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish) must take EMC 352 and EMC 391 in addition to the courses listed. Please note that in order to obtain the extension, you must have at least 18 hours in the content area.
Additional Curriculum Requirements
Childhood majors need to choose one of the following academic concentrations: Liberal Arts, Social Justice, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish .
Liberal Arts Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English (6 credits in addition to the core requirement) | 6 | |
| Literature and Medicine | ||
| Literature and Psychology | ||
| Images of Women in Literature and Film | ||
| The Journey in World Literature | ||
| The Journey in American Literature | ||
| Social Justice in Childrens and Young Adult Literature | ||
| The Quest in Medieval Literature | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Introduction to English Studies | ||
| American Literature I | ||
| Native American Literature | ||
| Advanced Academic Writing | ||
| Tutoring Writing | ||
| Mathematics (6 credits) | 6 | |
| Calculus for the Non-Sciences | ||
| College Precalculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus for Business | ||
| Mathematics through History | ||
| Statistics for Social Sciences | ||
| Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | ||
| Mathematics and Politics | ||
| Mathematics for Elementary Teachers | ||
| Discrete Mathematics I | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Science(6 credits) | 6 | |
| Introductory Animal Behavior I | ||
| Introductory Animal Behavior II | ||
| Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Laboratory I | ||
| Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Laboratory II | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | ||
| Human Reproduction | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Society | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| History and Social Sciences (6 credits) | 6 | |
| History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction | ||
| History of the United States: 1877 to the Present | ||
| History of Asia to 1800 | ||
| History of Asia Since 1800 | ||
| From Jamestown to Yorktown: Making the United States | ||
| From Washington to Lincoln: The Making of American Democracy | ||
| African American History | ||
| Latin American History to 1830 | ||
| Latin American History Since 1830 | ||
| Historian's Craft | ||
| The American Constitution | ||
| American Political Process | ||
| Western Political Tradition | ||
| International Relations | ||
| Comparative Government and Politics | ||
| Race, Law, and Politics | ||
| Interest Groups and Public Opinion in America | ||
| Congress and the Legislative Process | ||
| U.S. Presidency | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Liberal Arts Electives (Can take a total of 6 credits from this list to get to the minimum of 30 hours for the concentration) | 6 | |
| Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Psychology I | ||
| Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Digital Media Arts | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media | ||
| Kinesiology | ||
| Nutrition | ||
| Emergency Care | ||
| Wellness and Fitness | ||
| Healthy Behaviors | ||
| Psychology of Sport and Mental Health | ||
| Evolution of Disease and Illness | ||
| Journalism | ||
| Introduction to Journalism | ||
| Multimedia Storytelling | ||
| Fine Arts/Music | ||
| History of Rock and Roll | ||
| World Musics | ||
| America's Music | ||
| Art History | ||
| History of Architecture | ||
| Frank Lloyd Wright | ||
| Art in Buffalo | ||
| Communicatoin | ||
| Dynamic Presentations | ||
| Writing for Contemporary Media | ||
| Media Literacy | ||
| Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems | ||
| Identity and Society | ||
| Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Philosophy | ||
| Justice | ||
| Ethics of Technology | ||
| Race and Philosophy | ||
| Spanish | ||
| Introductory Spanish I | ||
| Introductory Spanish II | ||
| French | ||
| Introductory French I | ||
| Introductory French II | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Social Justice Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations Course | 3 | |
| Social Movements and Social Change | ||
| Research Courses (select one of the following) | 3 | |
| Research Methods in the Social Sciences | ||
| Research Methods in Psychology | ||
| Skills Classes (select one of the following) | 3 | |
| Dynamic Presentations | ||
| Writing for Contemporary Media | ||
| Relational Communication | ||
| Strategic Communication in Teams | ||
| Training and Development | ||
| Leadership and Motivation | ||
| Elective Courses (choose four from the courses listed below) | 12 | |
| Impact of Culture, Race, and Gender on Message Design | ||
| Media & Children | ||
| Violence and the Family | ||
| Gangs in American Society | ||
| Women In The Western World | ||
| Immersion East Side Seminar | ||
| American Political Process | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Children, Schools, and the Community | ||
| Stereotyping and Prejudice | ||
| Contemporary Social Problems | ||
| Gender and Society | ||
| Sociology of the City | ||
| Deviant Behavior | ||
| Math Requirement (3 credits) | 3 | |
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Calculus for the Non-Sciences | ||
| College Precalculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Mathematics through History | ||
| Statistics for Social Sciences | ||
| Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | ||
| Mathematics and Politics | ||
| Mathematics for Elementary Teachers | ||
| Discrete Mathematics I | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Science (3 credits) | 3 | |
| Introductory Animal Behavior I | ||
| Introductory Animal Behavior II | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| Human Reproduction | ||
| Energy, Environment, and Society | ||
| General Chemistry I | ||
| History and Social Sciences (3 credits) | 3 | |
| History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction | ||
| History of the United States: 1877 to the Present | ||
| United States Military History | ||
| History of Asia to 1800 | ||
| History of Asia Since 1800 | ||
| America and the Holocaust | ||
| From Jamestown to Yorktown: Making the United States | ||
| From Washington to Lincoln: The Making of American Democracy | ||
| Women in American History 1880 to Present | ||
| Latin American History to 1830 | ||
| Historian's Craft | ||
| The American Constitution | ||
| Western Political Tradition | ||
| Race, Law, and Politics | ||
| Congress and the Legislative Process | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
The list of courses provided here only includes active courses at the time this catalog was prepared. Additional classes that are added by other departments might also be used to satisfy this requirement. If you think a class should count, please contact the chair of the Teacher Education Department.
English Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two 200-level literature courses | 6 | |
| ENG 299 | Introduction to English Studies 1 | 3 |
| One American Literature course 2 | 3 | |
| One British Literature Course 3 | 3 | |
| Two writing courses 4 | 6 | |
| Mathematics Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Science Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Social Studies Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Must take at least one 200-level literature course before taking ENG 299.
- 2
Choose from ENG 315, ENG 316, ENG 319 or ENG 396 (if the topic is American Literature).
- 3
Choose from ENG 233, ENG 305, ENG 306, ENG 308, ENG 309, ENG 322, ENG 323, ENG 347, ENG 370, ENG 373, and ENG 381.
- 4
Choose from EDU 205, ENG 294, ENG 342, ENG 383, ENG 385, ENG 388, ENG 389, ENG 390, ENG 392, ENG 393, & ENG 490.
Mathematics Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 111 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 112 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MAT 219 | Linear Algebra | 4 |
| MAT 230 | Logic, Set Theory, and Proofs | 4 |
| MAT 311 | Abstract Algebra | 4 |
| MAT 331 | Geometry | 3 |
| MAT 351 | Probability & Statistics I | 3 |
OR | ||
| Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | ||
| Science Elective | 3 | |
| History Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Social Studies Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 104 | American Political Process | 3 |
| HIS 107 | History of Modern Europe to 1815 | 3 |
| HIS 108 | History of Modern Europe since 1815 | 3 |
| HIS 123 | History of the United States: The Colonial Period to Reconstruction | 3 |
| HIS 124 | History of the United States: 1877 to the Present | 3 |
| HIS 209 | History of Asia to 1800 | 3 |
| HIS 255 | African American History | 3 |
| One European or Asian/African/Latin American History elective | 3 | |
European History Options | ||
| Europe and the World in a Century of Conflict | ||
| The History of Food | ||
| Asian/African/Latin American History Options | ||
| History of Asia Since 1800 | ||
| Wars of Latin America | ||
| Latin American History to 1830 | ||
| Latin American History Since 1830 | ||
| The Making of Modern Africa | ||
| Math Elective | 3 | |
| Science Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Spanish Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SPA 215 | Communicating in Spanish 1 | 3 |
| SPA 217 | Intro Comp Panorama SocioCultural Latinoamericano 1 | 3 |
| SPA 323 | Topics in Conversation I Peninsular Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| SPA 324 | Topics in Conversation II Latin American Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| SPA 332 | Advanced Spanish Composition | 3 |
| Two Advanced-Level Spanish Classes (any SPA class at 300 or 400 level) | 6 | |
| Mathematics Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Science Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Social Studies Course Requirement | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Students who begin language study at the 300-level may substitute additional electives in lieu of the intermediate (200) level courses. Thus, students still will take 10 courses for the concentration.
Roadmap
| Freshman | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| EDE 100 | ECCH 221 |
| EDU 100 | EDY 208 |
| EDU 122 | SPE 341 |
| ENG 111 | ENG 112 |
| Concentration | Concentration |
| Sophomore | |
| Fall | Spring |
| EDU 250 | RST 101 |
| ECCH 222 | EDU 272 |
| EDY 209 | EDY312 Teaching Early Childhood Across Disciplines |
| PHI 101 | Concentration/Core (Field 4, Global) |
| EDU 495 | Concentration/Core (Field 7) |
| EDU 496 | Core Course (Field 1) |
| Concentration | |
| Junior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| EDE 390 | ECCH 412 |
| SPE 356 | Concentration/Core (Field 6) |
| Concentration/Core (Adv Writing) | Concentration/Core |
| Concentration | Core (Field 3) |
| Core (Field 2, Ethics) | |
| Senior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| EDU 428 | EDU 497 |
| EDU 432 | EDU 498 |
| EDU 494 | |
| Concentration | |
Courses
ECCH 221 Emergent Literacy 3 Credits
Examines theories of language development and implications for practice. Strategies are presented to facilitate emergent and developing literacy skills in young children and to develop fluent readers and writers throughout the elementary years. Includes twenty hours of field experience. (This class may be used to apply to NYSED or BOCES for early childhood certification.)
Offered: every spring.
ECCH 222 Literacy and the Arts in the Elementary Classroom 3 Credits
Examines effective methods for assessing children's literacy skills and for developing targeted instruction that reinforces, remediates and/or enriches literacy learning. Issues related to the literacy learning of all children, including children with disabilities and children from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds are examined. Research-based early intervention programs will be examined. Includes 20 hours of field experience in grades PreK-6.
Offered: every fall.
ECCH 412 Managing the Elementary & Secondary Ed Classroom 3 Credits
Discusses implications of behavior management and importance of a proactive approach to prevent behavior problems. Emphasizes appropriate classroom structure, and individual and group contingencies to support children with E/BD in grades PreK-12.
Prerequisite: EDU 356. Corequisite: SPE 330.
Offered: occasionally.
EDY 208 Infant/Toddler Care and Education 3 Credits
This course utilizes developmental theory and research findings to examine issues of attachment, perception, motor skills, cognition, language, emotions and social skills in children birth through age three. An emphasis is placed on understanding children in the context of family and culture. Requires 10 hours of field placement: infant/toddler.
EDY 209 Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms 3 Credits
Emphasizes research-supported practice for enhancing children's physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral development within the framework of the New York State Standards. Focuses on developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. Requires 10 hours of field placement: PreK/K.
Offered: occasionally.
EDY 509 Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum in Early Childhood Classrooms 3 Credits
Emphasizes research-supported practice for enhancing children's physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioral development within the framework of the New York State Standards. Focuses on developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. Requires 10 hours of field placement: PreK/K.
