Early Childhood Education (BSEd)
Credential: Bachelor of Science in Education
Majors: Early Childhood Education, Biblical Studies
Certification: Pennsylvania Instructional I (PreK-4) and ACSI (K-8)
Location: Lancaster
Program Director: Christine Kirkpatrick, EdD
Program Mission Statement: The Early Childhood Education major trains students from a philosophical base which reflects a biblical worldview, to serve the community as teachers in public and private schools.
Program Description: The Early Childhood Education Major trains students to teach children in grades PreK-4 in a variety of educational settings. Coursework and field experiences focus on understanding the needs of the "whole child" and implementing developmentally appropriate practices. Students in this major become the generalist elementary teacher, teaching all subjects to students.
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: Field placement experiences take place throughout the program, beginning in the first semester and culminating in the final semester with Student Teaching. Field experiences consist of observation, internship, practicum and student teaching. Students in early education classes complete observations as a part of course requirements. Upperclassmen are assigned to internship, practicum, and student teaching experiences by the Field Placement Coordinator. Student teaching placements occur within a 40-mile radius of LBC unless the student is completing an international experience. Student teachers complete two placements, each seven ½ weeks in length in a public and private school, or one placement of 15 weeks in a public school.
Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements
|
Curriculum Structure
|
Credits
|
|
LBC Foundation Studies Courses
|
4
|
|
Bible & Theology Core Courses
|
30
|
|
Arts & Sciences Core Courses
|
34
|
|
Education Courses
|
64 |
|
Program Total
|
132 |
Students in certification programs who are commuting from outside Pennsylvania may not take online courses in their first semester.
LBC Foundations (4 credits)
Bible & Theology Courses (30 credits)
| BTH 101 | Foundations for Biblical and Theological Studies | 3 |
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption & Consummation | 3 |
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
| Bible Elective - BOT or BNT | 3 |
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
| THE 303 or THE 305 | 3 |
Arts & Sciences Courses (34 credits)
Education Courses (64 credits)
| ELE 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 105 | Instructional Technology | 3 |
| EDU 204 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| ELE 205 | Integrating Play, Movement, and the Arts | 3 |
| EDU 333 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ELE 201 | Math Instruction for the Young Child | 3 |
| EDU 340 | Introduction to Curriculum & Assessment | 3 |
| ELE 320 | Literacy Instruction - Primary | 3 |
| EDU 335 | Inclusionary Practices | 3 |
| ELE 321 | Literacy Instruction - Intermediate | 3 |
| ELE 352 | Social Studies in the Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 430 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| ELE 354 | Methods of Teaching Science | 3 |
| EDU 435 | Community, Culture, and Collaboration | 3 |
| EDU 410 | Teaching the English Language Learner | 3 |
| EDU 350 | Professional Seminar II | 2 |
| EDU 450 | Teacher Education Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 103 | Professional Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 493 | Professional Seminar III | 2 |
| EDU 499 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| EDU 461 | The Cross Cultural Experience | 1 |
| EDU 301 | Teacher Education Internship I | 0 |
| EDU 302 | Teacher Education Internship II | 0 |
| EDU 401 | Teacher Education Internship III | 0 |
Program Director: Christine Kirkpatrick, EdD
Dr. Kirkpatrick has served at LBC since 2022. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in education. She earned her doctorate from Liberty University in educational leadership. In addition, she holds a master’s degree in theology and a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Dr. Kirkpatrick's research interests focus on perseverance within higher education, attrition and retention factors, and strategic leadership. Prior to serving at Lancaster Bible College, Dr. Kirkpatrick taught for 21 years in the public schools, as well as worked as an Early Learning Director, and as a Vice Principal.
Faculty:
Robin Bronkema, PhD
Bob Dodson, EdD
Christine Kirkpatrick, EdD
Stacey Martin, EdD