Department of Early Childhood Education
Dr. Jennifer Chen, Chairperson
Location: Hennings Hall, 419
Phone: 908-737-3809
Email: jchen@kean.edu
Undergraduate Degree Offered:
Early Childhood Education P-3/TSD
Program Description:
Early childhood educators instruct and inspire young minds at their most impressionable stage. As an early childhood education teacher, graduates will contribute to the growth and development of young children as you create learning environments that enhance their exploration and understanding of the world.
Undergraduate Specialization or Minor:
Candidates may use this space for free electives or in consultation with an advisor may choose from variety of subject specializations, including but not limited to Communication, Earth Science, English Standard, English Writing, Fine Arts, History, Mathematics, Music, Psychology, Spanish, or Theatre.
Additional Certification Requirements:
All teacher candidates are required to complete a Teacher Performance Assessment (formerly edTPA, currently KEEP) prior to program completion. Kean Educator Evaluation of Performance (KEEP) is completed during Senior Seminar in Clinical Practice (Capstone), while concurrently enrolled in Clinical Practice II (full-time student-teaching).
Please visit the Office of Teacher Certification and Alternate Route Programs for information on obtaining teacher certification through the NJ Department of Education.
Program Accreditation:
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Admissions Requirements:
Please contact Undergraduate Admissions.
Start Terms:
Admission is offered in the Spring and Fall.
Declaration Requirements:
Students must complete the following requirements to become declared:
- A minimum of 60 credits earned (e.g. AA/AS liberal arts equivalent);
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (where 4.0 equals an ‘A’ grade);
- Satisfactory completion of PSY 2100: Child Psychology or equivalent;
- A minimum grade of “B“ in BIO 1000: Principles of Biology or equivalent;
- A minimum grade of “B“ in ENG 1030: College Composition or equivalent;
- A minimum grade of “B“ in COMM 1402: Speech Communication as Critical Citizenship or equivalent;
- A minimum grade of “B“ in MATH 1000: College Algebra or equivalent;
- A minimum grade of “B“ in SPED 2056: Human Exceptionality (formerly ID 2052);
- A minimum grade of “B“ in EC 2900: Clinical Experiences (or NJ County College transfer equivalent with 50-hours of clinical experience in at least two different classroom settings, with at one in a special education setting; and
- A valid New Jersey Substitute Credential and New Jersey Educator Certification (NJEdCert) Portal Registration.
Graduation Requirements:
Students must complete all degree program requirements, maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, and have passing scores for the Praxis subject test.