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 dually-enrolled in on-campus undergrad education and graduate education.
Credentials: 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: 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 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 can be eligible to 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: Students will need to complete nine credits of field placement 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
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Curriculum Structure
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Credits
|
|
LBC Foundation Studies Courses
|
4
|
|
Bible & Theology Core Courses
|
30
|
|
Arts & Sciences Core Courses
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34
|
|
Major Courses
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73 |
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Program Total
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141 |
Students in certification programs who are commuting from outside Pennsylvania may not take online courses in their first semester.
The following tables show the scope & sequence to the undergraduate degree in a 4+1 program. Upon graduation from the undergraduate program, the student enrolls in the master's program and completes the remaining master's courses.
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 (73 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 |
| ELE 201 | Math Instruction for the Young Child | 3 |
| EDU 340 | Introduction to Curriculum & Assessment | 3 |
| ELE 352 | Social Studies in the Elementary School | 3 |
| EDU 430 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| ELE 354 | Methods of Teaching Science | 3 |
| EDU 410 | Teaching the English Language Learner | 3 |
| EDU 103 | Professional Seminar I | 1 |
| 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 |
| EDU 350 | Professional Seminar II | 2 |
| EDU 450 | Teacher Education Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 493 | Professional Seminar III | 2 |
| EDU 499 | Student Teaching | 12 |
| SPE 501 | Assessment and Special Education Processes | 3 |
| SPE 504 | Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities | 3 |
| EDU 519 | Foundations & Framework for Learning | 3 |
| EDU 524 | Literacy Instruction in the PreK-4 Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 526 | Diagnostic Reading Assessment | 3 |
| SPE 503 | Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities & Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| EDU 550 | Socio-Cultural Perspectives on Education | 3 |
| SPE 502 | Meeting the Needs of Students with Autism & Behavioral Disorders | 3 |
Program Director: Dr. Robin Bronkema, PhD
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 bear here at LBC.
Outside of campus life, she enjoys long walks with her dog, pickleball with her husband and three children, meals with friends, and a strong cup of Earl Grey tea.
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
Full Time Faculty
Robin Bronkema, PhD
Bob Dodson, EdD
Christine Kirkpatrick, EdD
Stacey Martin, EdD