Early Childhood and Elementary Education Program

Becoming an effective teacher who has a positive impact on students and reflects the glory of our Lord requires dedication, hard work, and most importantly, a life committed to serving God. Just as Christ loved and valued children, it is critical that we, too, place a high priority on children. What we teach them, how we teach them, and why we prepare them , will impact them the rest of their lives. At Baptist Bible College, the Early Childhood and Elementary Education program equips you to teach children for life beyond the classroom. A child’s greatest need lies beyond academic achievement and, instead, resides in the heart. As a student of this program, you will receive an education marked with excellence for its combination of up-to-date teaching techniques and critical Bible classes that will prepare you to offer your students more than just head knowledge. You will be ready to stand as both educator and example for children who are in need of real, life-changing leadership. Graduates of this program earn the equivalent of a double major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education giving you a broad range of qualifications. If you are prepared to dedicate yourself to this intense and rewarding program , your career and ministry opportunities will be endless. With hands-on learning experiences and a variety of classes, you will be qualified to teach children whose ages range from birth to sixth grade.

Core Courses in the Elementary Education Program

BBC gives you a strong foundation to understand and apply biblical truth through 42 hours of Bible and theology courses. A required set of General Studies courses supplement that foundation by enabling you to consider the world in which you will minister. You will then build upon this foundation as you complete over 40 credit hours, studying the specific disciplines of your field and determining how you can best apply your unique strengths, gifts, and abilities. The core courses of this program include the following:

•  Teaching Science in Elementary Schools

•  Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Schools

•  Field Experiences in Elementary Schools

•  Field Experiences in Early Childhood Education

•  Teaching Music and Art in Elementary Schools

•  Teaching Physical Education in Elementary Schools

•  Teaching Reading in Elementary Schools

•  Teaching Children’s Literature in Elementary Schools

•  Teaching Language Arts in Elementary Schools

•  Teaching Math in Elementary Schools

•  Reading in the Content Areas

•  Educating Exceptional Children

•  Issues in Early Childhood Education

•  Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education

•  Active Learning in Early Childhood Education

•  Child, Family, and Community

What Happens After Graduation?

Upon completion of the program, graduates will have completed coursework equivalent to a double major in Bible and Early Childhood & Elementary Education and will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Bible.

You will receive certification from the Association of Christian Schools International to teach children ranging in age from birth to sixth grade. You will also be eligible to apply for Pennsylvania state certification which will allow you to teach in public schools.

The state of Pennsylvania shares certification reciprocity with nearly every state , so you will most likely be able to teach in the state of your choice.

The Early Childhood & Elementary Education program qualifies you for two Pennsylvania certifications, one in Early Childhood and one in Elementary Education. This dual certification provides you with the impressive credentials that today’s schools are seeking in their teachers.

The Early Childhood and Elementary Education program also prepares graduates for the next step in their academic careers. Many graduates pursue master’s and doctorate degrees immediately following graduation or shortly thereafter. Some graduates have chosen to pursue their studies in one of seven programs offered in Christian School Education at Baptist Bible Graduate School. Other graduates have attended various graduate schools to study a wide range of educational programs including Administration and Curriculum & Instruction.

	Real People “The Early Childhood & Elementary Education program has given me a biblical perspective of managing a classroom, proper discipline, and caring for the spiritual needs of each student. It has also provided insight on how to be an effective teacher in whatever capacity of ministry that God would have for me.” - Christy Hoffman, BBC Graduate
	"The teachers I had were excellent ; they knew what would prepare us most for what we would face in an actual job situation. I think the biggest strength of this program is the preparation I received for a teaching job after graduation. I was thoroughly equipped; I felt prepared and had a strong foundation upon which to build my career . –Amy Rowlands, BBC graduate, Kindergarten teacher, Forcey Christian School, Silver Spring, MD

For more information about the Early Childhood & Elementary Education program, contact Professor Sherry Wise.