B.A. Degree with a Major in Child and Family Studies, with an Area of Concentration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) with Teacher Certification

This degree concentration is not available to new majors until further notice.

The curriculum in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) with Teacher Certification meets Kentucky teacher certification requirements for teaching children from birth through age five. This teacher certification is required to teach in public preschool/kindergarten programs. Graduates are qualified to teach in public and private infant and toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs. They also work as developmental intervention specialists for young children in state, local, and private early-intervention agencies that assist families with children ages birth to three years who have a diagnosed disability or are developmentally delayed in areas of physical or cognitive development. Additional opportunities are available to work in social services and education agencies or to pursue graduate education.

Requirements for the Major

A major in Child and Family Studies, with an Area of Concentration in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE), is achieved by completion of the following courses, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

Required CFS Core Courses

CFS 130, 145, 207 (also WST), 221, and 441 (which includes the Home Management House as a laboratory component).

Required Capstone Course

CFS 480

Required IECE with Teacher Certification Concentration Courses

CFS 217, 313, 353, and 356; CFS 358 (also NUR); and PEH 221

Required Education Courses

EDS 150, CFS/EDS 210, 360, 380, and 382, plus the three-credit Professional Term course, CFS/EDS 475

Exploring the Major

In addition to taking key General Education requirements, students considering this concentration should enroll in CFS 130, 145, 207 (also WST), and 221 during their first and second years, if possible. Students seeking IECE certification need to meet with their IECE Education Advisor very early in their College career to select appropriate courses for admission to the program. Also see Teacher Education Program to follow.

Admission to the Major

Admission into the Child and Family Studies major requires the following: an overall GPA of 2.0; a successful formal interview and positive recommendation by an assigned CFS faculty member; completion of a handwritten, well-constructed essay explaining why the student wants to become a CFS major; successful performance in at least one completed or in-progress CFS course; and a majority vote of acceptance by the CFS faculty. A student who already has been formally accepted into another major at Berea and wants to transfer to a CFS major must make this request in writing to the Chair of the CFS Department. See the Requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program under Education Studies for that program’s admission requirements, including the minimum overall GPA of 2.5.

Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within nine terms)

CFS 130, 145, 207 (also WST), and 221 are prerequisites for upper-level courses and are offered every regular term. Upper-level courses sometimes are offered only once a year, so early curricular planning is very important. CFS 313, 353, 356, and 358 (also NUR) should be completed prior to entering the Professional Term (ninth term). Also see Education Studies sequencing recommendations below. Students, including those with a dual concentration, may use only one department-approved 186/286/386/486 and/or 395/495 to meet a concentration requirement.

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major

In addition to completing the core course requirements and specified courses within the area of concentration, each student must satisfy departmental standards for effectiveness in written and oral communication.

Admission to and Completion of the Teacher Education Program

Students are encouraged strongly to take EDS 150 in the second term of the first year, but no later than the first term of the sophomore year. (Multiple sections of EDS 150 are offered each Fall and Spring term.) Those students past their first year (including transfers) will be given priority for registration in EDS 150. Prior to the first day of the EDS 150 class, students must have completed a state criminal records clearance, which takes 6-8 weeks to be processed. Students will learn about this procedure during pre-registration. While taking EDS 150, students will be assigned an Education Studies Advisor. EDS 228 should be taken during the sophomore year. CFS/EDS 252 must be completed either prior to or in the eighth term. EDS 228, 349, and 355 (or approved alternative) must be completed prior to the eighth term. EDS 479 and 480, together with a school practicum of 3-4 hours daily, must be taken in the eighth term. Up to two additional course credits may be taken in the eighth term. Only EDS 481: Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit) and 482: Student Teaching (3 credits) may be taken in the ninth term. Throughout their preparation, students seeking teacher certification are expected to seek out rich and substantive experiences with students of the ages they plan to teach beyond those associated with EDS courses. Such activities include SFA-related service work (e.g., One-on-One Tutoring), working with after-school programs, summer camp experiences, and the like. Completion of teacher certification requires nine terms. For further information about the Teacher Education Program, Student Teaching, and Recommendation for Certification, see Requirements for all Students Seeking Certification.

Child and Family Studies

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