Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Teacher Certifications for Early Childhood to Grade 6 (EC-6)

About the Degree


The Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The following Educator Preparation Tracks are offered for all levels of teaching certifications. This page provides information about specific requirements for EC-6 certifications with varying specializations.

  • Elementary Education with ESL and Special Education
  • Elementary Education with Bilingual Certification and Special Education

Program Coordinators

For more information about these specific teacher certification programs, please reach out to Dr. Mary White (mwhite@HC.edu).

Student Learning Outcomes

In the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences, we teach future teachers. Our undergraduate degree programs prepare you to teach in public and private elementary, middle and high schools. We believe learning should be active, engaging, and collaborative.

Our department gives you practical, cutting-edge professional learning. Our teaching is:

  • Field-based: You will work with schoolchildren throughout the program (not just at the end, or for one or two semesters).
  • Technology-rich: You will experience a wide range of technology-based learning activities in your courses, and you will learn to effectively and creatively use technology as an educator — not just in one technology course, but throughout the program.
  • Personal: You will develop lasting relationships with your professors in our small classes. Professors become professional mentors — not just while you are here at HCU, but throughout your educational career.
  • Focused on Best Practice: Because our faculty use evidence-based teaching practices, you will learn as much from how you are taught as you will from what you are taught.
  • Respected: Our close ties with area schools and our reputation for excellence provide hiring advantages when you begin to apply for jobs.

What Can I Do With My Elementary Teaching Certification?

There is a demand for quality teachers throughout the state. Most graduates are employed in Houston-area schools following student teaching. Employment opportunities vary according to teaching field. Districts involved in the hiring of our graduates are surveyed annually to provide feedback on the level of preparation our graduates receive prior to entering the field. The survey results indicate that our graduates are well prepared and maintain their skills in the teaching field one to five years after graduation.

Our graduates have become leaders in their schools and school districts. They have made a difference in the lives of children, and they have received recognition as outstanding educators. They have gone on to be principals, curriculum specialists, school counselors, diagnosticians, superintendents and university professors.

Prerequisites

Undergraduate students who earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education will need to meet the following prerequisites in order to interview for admission into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Additional requirements must then be met.  A full list of prerequisites can be found online.

  • EDUC 2320 and EDUC 2330
  • 45 credit hours
  • 2.50 GPA (overall/last 60 credit hours earned)
  • THEA Exam score (Reading: 230, Math: 230, Writing: 220)
  • Reading Proficiency (SAT/ACT or ENGL 2315/2325)
  • Math Proficiency (SAT/ACT or MATH 1305/1313)
  • Writing Proficiency (ENGL 1320 and ENGL 1330)
  • English Oral Proficiency

EPP Course Requirements

Each degree plan has additional liberal arts core requirements and major requirements.
Please view the complete degree plan at the bottom of the page to view all degree requirements.

Course Number
Course Name
Hours
EC-6 with ESL, SPED
EC-6 Bilingual and SPED
EDUC 2320
Learning and Development
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDSP 2302
Survey of Exceptional Children
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDEC 4313
Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDRE 4320
Teaching Reading Through Children’s Literature
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDRE 4360
Developing and Teaching Literacy
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDRE 4350
Reading and Language Arts
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EDRE 4351
Emergent Literacy
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EDSP 4311
Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching for Exceptional Children
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:

EDSP 4352
Behavior and Classroom Management
Hours: 3
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:

EDUC 4100
TExES State Certification Exam Preparation Seminar
Hours: 1
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDUC 4301
Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary School
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
ETEC 4306
Educational Applications of Technology
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDUC 4302
Classroom Culture, Climate, and Safety
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDUC 4400
Clinical Teaching Seminar
Hours: 4
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDUC 4800
Clinical Teaching
Hours: 8
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDBI 4304
Methods of Teaching ESL
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EDBI 4305
Second Language Acquisition
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDBI 4314
Survey of Linguistics
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDBI 3335
Spanish Writing Workshop
Hours: 3
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDBI 3387
Teaching School Content in the Bilingual Classroom
Hours: 3
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
EDBI 4350
Developing Literacy in the Bilingual Classroom
Hours: 3
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
INDC 4350
Essential Elements of Science
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
INDC 4380
Essential Elements of Social Studies
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
INDC 4385
Essential Elements of Fine Art
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
INDC 4360
Essential Elements of Math
Hours: 3
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:
INDC 4160
Wellness and Fitness for Children
Hours: 1
EC-6 ESL & SPED:
EC-6 Bilingual & SPED:

View Degree Details

Elementary Education Degree
Degree Plan
Courses
Elementary Education with ESL and Special Education

(EDSPEDUC)

Elementary Education with Bilingual Certification and Special Education

(EDBIEDUC)

What Next?

We can’t wait to see you! Apply today.