Additional Information

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program at Bowling Green State University prepares teacher education candidates to work with all children in their classrooms through the use of differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is a framework for effective teaching that ensures that “what a student learns, how he or she learns it, and how the student demonstrates what he or she has learned is a match for that student’s readiness level, interests, and preferred mode of learning” (Tomlinson, 2004).  Candidates are prepared to work in inclusive classrooms, where co-teaching is supported.  Co-teaching allows general education and special education teachers to plan and instruct together, blending the best of their respective knowledge bases to guide students to reach their full potential.  Co-teaching professionals make the challenge of addressing the complex learning needs found in all classrooms manageable and fruitful.

Faculty members in the IEC program engage in research, teaching, outreach, and professional service to effectively prepare teacher candidates to enhance the lives of young children and their families.

Why Inclusive Early Childhood Education?

• From an employer’s perspective:  a) evidence that teachers licensed through BGSU’s IEC program are prepared to work effectively with all children in the classroom; b) greater placement flexibility, because students of this program have a wide range of documented skills.
• From an IEC graduate’s perspective:  a) the confidence and satisfaction of knowing how to meet the learning needs of all children, plus b) the increased employability resulting from two pre-K to grade 3 licenses, and a birth to age 3 certificate.
• Most importantly, from a child’s perspective: the joy of being in a classroom where individual abilities and needs are recognized and supported.

ADVISING

Faculty members are committed to helping students succeed. Students in the Inclusive Early Childhood major receive advising from IEC faculty members and from the College of Education and Human Development’s Undergraduate Student Services office, (which provides a variety of services to assist students in meeting their professional goals. 

ENTRANCE TO THE PROGRAM

The Inclusive Early Childhood Education program is a highly competitive program requiring a candidate to earn a grade point average of 3.0 to be fully admitted into the program. Thus, students who enter this program are academically strong and prepared for the challenging program of study.

BGSU Office of Admissions Online Application

To successfully complete the program, you must meet university and college requirements. Refer to the online Undergraduate Catalog for a description of these requirements.

ADVISING

Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program are advised by the College advising staff during their initial year at BGSU, and then are assigned a faculty advisor for the remainder of their undergraduate experience.  Each semester, group advising meetings supplement individual advising sessions, providing students with needed information to plan their schedules and advance through the program.

FINANCIAL AID

Approximately 60 percent of BGSU students receive financial aid.