Inclusive Early Childhood Education
The Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program (IEC) at Bowling Green State University is a revolutionary program in the state of Ohio that will prepare undergraduate teacher education candidates for employment in inclusive early childhood learning environments.
The Inclusive Early Childhood Education program leads to a Bachelors of Science in Education degree. This is the first program in Ohio where undergraduates earn multiple credentials:
- Early Childhood Education license for pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade.
- Early Childhood Intervention Specialist license for pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade.
- Birth to Age 3 Early Intervention Specialist certificate through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to work with infants and toddlers who have or are at risk for developmental delays or disabilities.
BGSU graduates of the program will be able to teach young children
with and without disabilities in inclusive settings.
The IEC program blends the best practices from early childhood education with early childhood special education. It addresses the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to meet the needs of each child. Graduates are prepared to provide differentiated, evidence-based instruction to young children from birth through grade 3. The program is committed to the development of partnerships and scholarly endeavors that reflect the University’s professional values of justice, fairness, and equity.
National education associations support inclusionary practices, and young children across the county are reaping the benefits by experiencing success in inclusive settings. BGSU’s Inclusive Early Childhood Education program involves professionals from diverse disciplines working together to address the complex learning needs found in all classrooms. We support parents, community members, teachers, and paraprofessionals as partners in the educational process, and each child is a respected member of the learning community.