Teacher Alternative Certification (B-K), (PK-3)
Alternative Certification Paths in Early Childhood Education
LSU offers two alternative certification program paths for early childhood education: B-K and PK-3. Both programs are approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and are in alignment with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Each program is 33-credit hours.
All courses are offered in a “hyflex” model; they can be taken 100% online to 100% face-to-face and anywhere in between.
Admission
Students entering the program must have completed a non-education baccalaureate degree with at least a 2.5 GPA and earn a passing score on the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) and the subject's test. See Louisiana Praxis Subject area test requirements here.
Candidates must sign a release allowing the program to access assessment data for
5 years.
Please note that additional courses for the Reading requirement are integrated within
existing courses and indicated with an asterisk.
Funding for Teacher Preparation
The Geaux Teach scholarship program was established to provide scholarships to students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs or alternative certification program.
B-K Teacher Alternative Certification (33 credit hours)
Prior to admission, you will need to take the Early Childhood Education (5025) and receive a score of 156. The Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (5621) can be taken during your residency and the passing score is 157.
Plan of Study: LSU B-K Alternative Certification
Students will complete a year-long (two semester) teaching residency.
Participate in field-based experiences in school setting while completing the summer/fall courses (or equivalent contact hours).
Successfully complete courses or equivalent contact hours that focus on child development or psychology, family and community relationships, the diverse learner, classroom management/organization, assessment, instructional design, and instructional strategies before starting their teaching internships. 12 credit hours
EDCI 2081 Introduction to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (3)
EDCI 2083 Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 3055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 3057 Learning Environments for Infants & Toddlers (3)
EDCI 3383 Assessment and Planning for Reflective Instruction (3)
Successfully complete courses or equivalent contact hours that focus on child and adolescent psychology, the diverse learner, classroom management and organization, assessment, instructional design, and instructional strategies in PK-3 before starting their teaching internships. 9 credit hours
EDCI 3055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 3353 Infant/Toddler Curriculum & Assessment (3)
EDCI 3056 Cognitive & Linguistic Development (3) or EDCI 3381 Early Childhood Curriculum (3)
EDCI 3058 Social-Emotional Growth & Socialization: Culture, Family & Providers (3)
EDCI 3381 Early Childhood Curriculum (3)
EDCI 3382 Early Childhood Pedagogy (3)
Reading (according to Bulletin 746). 9 credit hours
EDCI 3000 Children’s Literature (3),
EDCI 3053* Infant/Toddler Curriculum & Assessment (1 of 3),
EDCI 3056* Cognitive & Linguistic Development (1 of 3),
Or
EDCI 3381 Early Childhood Curriculum (1 of 3),
EDCI 3382 Early Childhood Pedagogy (1 of 3)
EDCI 4181** Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in Birth – Three Years (4 of 12)
OR
EDCI 4381 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in PK/K (4 of 12)
2 semester residency: practitioner teachers assume full-time teaching positions in districts. 12 credit hours.
EDCI 4181 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in Birth – Three Years (12)
OR
EDCI 4381 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in PK/K (12)
* Courses cover reading, in addition to other content areas in these blended courses.
**EDCI 4181 meets for 4 hours each week in addition to students being in their field
placement for 32 hours each week. Reading/literacy is covered within the context of
this course.
Additional Considerations:
Access graduate’s student data via signed release of information gathered at admission. Office of Professional Development will solicit assessment data from parish school systems.
Candidates who demonstrate areas of need will complete prescriptive plans. 1-9 credit hours Individual dependent on candidate needs.
Support types may include online support, internet resources, special seminars, etc.
The School of Education disseminates monthly newsletters to alumni which include course offerings and other professional development opportunities. Additionally, the College of Human Sciences & Education has an active social media presence that highlights professional activities, in addition to the Early Childhood Program’s social media page and monthly Inspiration Initiative training series.
PK-3 Teacher Alternative Certification (33 credit hours)
Prior to admission, you will need to take the Elementary Multiple Subjects (5001 series)
and receive a passing score in all areas. These areas are Reading Language Arts (5002)
with a passing score of 157, Mathematics (5003) with a passing score of 157, Social
Studies (5004) with a passing score of 155, and Science (5005) with a passing score
of 159. The Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (5621) can be taken
during your residency and the passing score is 157.
The Elementary Multiple Subjects (5001 series) will be changing a bit starting on
January 1, 2025, to incorporate the Teaching of Reading components. They have told
us the new test numbers or combinations that are possible for the Praxis. However,
we do not know the passing score yet.
Plan of Study: LSU PK-3 Teacher Alternative Certification
This program has content coursework in both PK/K and grades 1-3; students should select one cluster. Students will complete a year-long (two semester) teaching residency.
Participate in field-based experiences in school setting while completing the summer/fall courses (or hours) equivalent contact.
All courses include projects that require field hours.
Successfully complete courses or equivalent contact hours that focus on child development or psychology, family and community relationships, the diverse learner, classroom management/organization, assessment, instructional design, and instructional strategies before starting their teaching internships. 12 credit hours
EDCI 2081 Introduction to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (3)
EDCI 2083 Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 3055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 3383 Assessment and Planning for Reflective Instruction: EC (3) OR
EDCI 3485 Math/Science in Grades 1-3 (6)
Successfully complete courses or equivalent contact hours that focus on child and adolescent psychology, the diverse learner, classroom management and organization, assessment, instructional design, and instructional strategies in PK-3 before starting their teaching internships. 9 credit hours
EDCI 3055 Development of Young Children in Context (3);
EDCI 3381 Early Childhood Curriculum (3) AND
EDCI 3382 Early Childhood Pedagogy (3)
OR
EDCI 3484 ELA/Social Studies in Grades 1-3 (6)
Reading (according to Bulletin 746). 9 credit hours
EDCI 3000 Children’s Literature (3),
EDCI 3381* Early Childhood Curriculum (1 of 3),
EDCI 3382* Early Childhood Pedagogy (1 of 3),
OR
EDCI 3484 ELA/Social Studies (2 of 4),
EDCI 4381** Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in PK/K (4 of 12)
OR
EDCI 4481 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in Grades 1-3 (4 of 12)
2 semester residency: practitioner teachers assume full-time teaching positions in districts. 12 credit hours
EDCI 4381 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in PK/K (4 of 12)
or
EDCI 4481 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in Grades 1-3 (12)
* Courses cover reading, in addition to other content areas in these blended courses.
**EDCI 4482 meets for 4 hours each week in addition to students being in their field
placement for 32 hours each week. Reading/literacy is covered within the context of
this course.
* Courses cover reading, in addition to other content areas in these blended courses.
**EDCI 4482 meets for 4 hours each week in addition to students being in their field
placement for 32 hours each week. Reading/literacy is covered within the context of
this course.
Additional Considerations:
Access graduate’s student data via signed release of information gathered at admission
Office of Professional Development will solicit assessment data from parish school systems.
Candidates who demonstrate areas of need will complete prescriptive plans. 1-9 credit hours
Individual dependent on candidate needs.
Support types may include online support, internet resources, special seminars, etc.
The School of Education disseminates monthly newsletters to alumni which include course offerings and other professional development opportunities. Additionally, the College of Human Sciences & Education has an active social media presence that highlights professional activities, in addition to the Early Childhood Program’s social media page and monthly Inspiration Initiative training series.
For More Information
Cynthia F. DiCarlo, PhD
123B Peabody Hall
225-578-7005