School of Teacher Education

---

Baccalaureate Degree Program

The School of Teacher Education at Western Kentucky University offers a Four Year Baccalaureate Degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, Birth through Kindergarten with teacher education and non certification concentrations. Students are not required to complete an associate's degree program prior to enrolling in the BS program. The program is designed to prepare early childhood educators to work with children both with and without special needs, ages birth through five years, and their families. Graduates of the teacher education concentration are eligible to apply for the Professional Certification in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE, Birth to Primary). Graduates are prepared for positions in public schools, early intervention programs, Head Start programs, child care centers, and other private agencies serving young children and their families. Graduates of the non certification concentration are prepared for positions in Head Start, child care centers and private agencies serving young children and their families.

The performance based program of study for the Baccalaureate Degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education requires 68-75 hours of coursework and 600 clock hours of field experience which culminates with student teaching (teacher education concentration) or a practicum (non-certificate concentration) experience in settings with children, birth to age 5, without and without special needs.

Related: Program Sequence

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing either concentration must meet the admission requirements for WKU. Students pursuing the teacher education concentration must also be admitted to Teacher Education to complete the program. Admission requirements for Professional Education are available on the Office of Teacher Services Web Site. See the Teacher Admissions website for more information.