2024-2025 Traditional Undergraduate Catalog

Early Childhood Education/Special Education (BS/MEd)

In a 4+1 program, students work toward the completion of an undergraduate degree while also pursuing a Master’s degree.  Graduate-level courses taken during undergraduate studies fulfill both undergraduate elective requirements and graduate program requirements.  In the 4+1 program, students are dual-enrolled in LBC and Capital Seminary and Graduate School.

Credentials:  Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Education

Majors: Early Childhood Education, Biblical Studies, Special Education

Certification: Pennsylvania Instructional I (PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-12 ) and ACSI (K-8)

Location:  Lancaster

Program Director:  Robin Bronkema, PhD

Program Mission Statement:  The Early Childhood Education major trains students from a philosophical base which reflects a biblical worldview, to serve the community as general education teachers and special education teachers in public and private schools. 

Program Description:  The Early Childhood Education/Special Education Major trains students to teach children in grades PreK-4 in a variety of educational settings, as well as serve as a special education teacher in grades PreK-12. Coursework and field experiences focus on understanding the needs of the "whole child" and implementing developmentally appropriate practices. Students in this major can be eligible to become the generalist elementary teacher, teaching all subjects to students, and the special education teacher. 

Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, teacher candidates will:

1. Integrate knowledge to design coherent learning experiences.

2. Implement safe, equitable, learning-focused environments.

3. Demonstrate effective instructional practices.

4. Demonstrate professionalism.

5. Integrate a biblical worldview.

Experiential Learning:  Students will need to complete nine credits of field placement in an inclusive setting and in a special education setting with at least one placement in a public school: Apprenticeship I (120 hours) and Apprenticeship II (13 weeks). The student must be physically present. The field placement coordinator will aid students in locating appropriate field placements.

Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements

Curriculum Structure

Credits

LBC Foundation Studies Courses

4

Bible & Theology Core Courses

30

Arts & Sciences Core Courses

34

Major Courses

86

Program Total

154

LBC Foundations (4 credits)

LBC 100Foundations Seminar

1

LBC 101

3

Bible & Theology Courses (30 credits)

BTH 101Foundations for Biblical and Theological Studies

3

BIB 103Creation & Covenants: OT I

3

BIB 104Israel's Life & Literature: OT II

3

THE 223Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall

3

THE 224Christian Narrative II: Redemption & Consummation

3

BIB 203Life of Christ: NT I

3

BIB 204Early Church: NT II

3

Bible Elective - BOT or BNT

3

THE 320Christianity and Culture

3

THE 303 or THE 305

3

 

Arts & Sciences Courses (34 credits)

LAN 101Academic Writing, Research, and Rhetoric

3

LAN 104Public Speaking

3

LIT 240Literature for Children and Young Adults

3

HIS
History Core (100/200 Level)

3

SCI 151Integrated Science I

3

SCI 151LIntegrated Science I Laboratory

1

MAT 162Integrated Math 2

3

SOC 101/PSY 101General Psychology

3

SOC 325Human Growth & Development

3

SOC 326Educational Psychology

3

MAT 161Integrated Math 1

3

SCI 152Integrated Science II

3

SCI 152LIntegrated Science II Laboratory

0

 

Education Courses (86 credits)

ELE 101Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3

EDU 105Instructional Technology

3

EDU 204Instructional Design

3

ELE 205Integrating Play, Movement, and the Arts

3

EDU 333The Exceptional Child

3

ELE 201Math Instruction for the Young Child

3

EDU 340Introduction to Curriculum & Assessment

3

ELE 320Literacy Instruction - Primary

3

EDU 335Inclusionary Practices

3

ELE 321 Literacy Instruction - Intermediate

3

ELE 352Social Studies in the Elementary School

3

EDU 430Classroom Management

3

ELE 354Methods of Teaching Science

3

EDU 410Teaching the English Language Learner

3

EDU 103Professional Seminar I

1

EDU 461The Cross Cultural Experience

1

EDU 301Teacher Education Internship I

0

EDU 302Teacher Education Internship II

0

EDU 401Teacher Education Internship III

0

EDU 402Teacher Education Internship IV

1

SPE 501Assessment and Special Education Processes

3

SPE 504Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities

3

EDU 519Foundations & Framework for Learning

3

EDU 526Diagnostic Reading Assessment

3

SPE 503Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities & Intellectual Disabilities

3

SPE 505Professionalism, Ethical Practices and Collaboration

3

EDU 570Apprenticeship I

3

EDU 598Seminar in Action Research

3

EDU 560Teacher's Life and Work

3

EDU 580Apprenticeship II

6

EDU 599Project in Action Research

3

EDU 550Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education

3

SPE 502Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism & Behavioral Disorders

3

 

Program Director:  Robin Bronkema, PhD

PhD in Organizational Leadership, Eastern University
EdM in Human Development and Psychology, Harvard University Graduate School of Education
BA in Psychology and Linguistics, Swarthmore College

Growing up, Dr. Bronkema thought most children enjoyed playing school as much as she did, but it turns out that favorite pastime was a reflection of the love of teaching the Lord had placed in her.  She went on to become a teacher in public schools in PA and CT, and then supervised student teachers at a liberal arts college for several years.  Discovering that her passion for education and serving the Lord could be combined in Christian Education, she moved into administrative roles in a Christian K-12 school.  Those experiences gave birth to her doctoral research, which focused on the leadership development of female Christian School leaders.  With a heart for college-age students, she is now thrilled to bring all of those experiences to LBC. Outside of campus life, she enjoys long walks with her dog, tennis, and street hockey with her husband and three children, meals with friends, and a strong cup of Earl Grey tea.  


Full Time Faculty

Robin Bronkema, PhD
Bob Dodson, EdD
Christine Kirpatrick, EdS
Stacey Martin, EdD

Adjunct Faculty

Angela Becker, EdD
Abi Fried, MA
Rachel Welsh, MA