Professional Studies, Early Care and Learning, (B.P.S)

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The Early Care and Learning (ECL) concentration provides a foundation for a career in working with young children (0-4) in early care and education and other applied settings.

Students who choose the ECL concentration are expected to develop knowledge and skills in child development and learning, observation and assessment, pedagogy and research through classroom and field experiences. Students will be prepared for employment in a discipline working with children and families, and may pursue graduate training that leads to careers in education, academia, research, health professions, or social work.

For information on careers in this and other disciplines students should consult the Career Services Office located on the 4th Wilder Tower, 678-2239.

This Program DOES NOT lead to teacher licensure. Students interested in gaining a teaching license should contact the College of Education at 678-2728 or visit their website at: http://www.memphis.edu/tep/

General Education (35-41 hours)

See University General Education Program for the University General Education Program requirements. Students who have completed one year of American History in high school are exempted from the six credit-hour History General Education Program requirement; otherwise, students will have to meet the History requirement.

Coordinated Study (51 hours)

Many upper-division (3000/4000-level) courses have prerequisites that must be met prior to being permitted to register for those courses. You are responsible for knowing and satisfying all course prerequisites. Some (not all) prerequisites are listed below. For specific information about courses and the prerequisites they may have, please view course descriptions at: Course Descriptions .

Many courses also require permits from the department that teaches the course. For example, SWRK and CJUS courses will always need permits from those respective departments. College of Professional & Liberal Studies staff cannot issue permits for courses taught in other departments. ALL 3000/4000 level classes taught by the College of Business (ACCT, ECON, FIR, MGMT, MKTG) require a permit; students must request a permit online at:

https://fcbeacad.memphis.edu/permits/.

Child Development & Family Studies Core (21 hours)

CDFS 2100 - Intro Fld of Chld Dev & Fam St Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 2101 - Family/Global Perspective ** Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 3401 - Parent Child Relations Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4220 - Understand Chldn/Behv/Guide Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4223 - Home/School/Comm Engage Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4910 - Ethics in Early Care and Learning Credit Hours: (3)
EDPR 2111 - Development Across Lifespan Credit Hours: (3)

Early Care and Learning Core (27 hours)

CDFS 2110 - Infant/Toddler Development Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 3410 - Soc Emotion Lrng Early Child Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 3420 - Play-Based Assessment for Young Children (0-4) Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 3430 - Child Language for Early Learning Professional Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4101 - Int Curr for Early Learners Credit Hours: (3)
CDFS 4230 - Math/Science Early Learning Credit Hours: (3)
ICL 4001 - Teaching/Diverse Environment Credit Hours: (3)
SPED 2000 - Foundation/Exceptional Learn Credit Hours: (3)
UNIV 4110 - Internship** Credit Hours: (3-6)

College Requirements (9 hours)

Thematic Studies (6 hours)

College of Professional & Liberal Studies thematic studies course(s) are designed to broaden a student’s knowledge of significant themes in social, political, and religious history. Review a complete list of courses: https://www.memphis.edu/cpls/resources/thematic_studies.php

Senior Project (3 hours)

The senior project is a student’s culminating experience or capstone designed to synthesize and integrate the content of a student’s program of study. The senior project is intended to fuse the two or more academic areas that comprise the student’s coordinated study (major) into an academically-relevant example of scholarship. Students will complete a thesis, task-based, or artistic project on a topic of their choice with approval of their senior project instructor. The senior project is completed during a student’s final semester. Students will be assigned to a specific section based on their concentration.

UNIV 4995 - Senior Project** Credit Hours: (3) (completed during the final semester)

General Electives (19-28 hours)

May be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120 with a minimum of 42 upper-division hours.

Interested in becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)? An RBT is a designation that can be obtained with appropriate coursework and successful completion of a competency assessment. Most RBTs work under the supervision and guidance of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Courses consist of a four-course sequence (SPED 4111, 4112, 4113, & 4114), and can be completed entirely online. These courses can be added to any UofM major. The coursework will cover the basics of applied behavior analysis, as well as how to effectively measure, assess, and intervene with children, including those with autism.