Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Early Childhood Education & ESL) Trevecca Nazarene University

This Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies offers an endorsement in early childhood education (PreK-3) and a secondary endorsement in English as a second language (ESL). The degree prepares students to be competent and compassionate teachers of young students and those with language barriers, providing them with the strong foundation and early intervention they need to excel in learning.

Program Benefits

• Learn from faculty who possess high degrees in their fields, who make an effort to know you personally, and who have relevant and valuable real-world experience in both public and private school settings.
• Enjoy our small class sizes and supportive campus community.
• Gain hands-on student teaching experience in both public and private school settings.

What to Expect

Trevecca’s early childhood education and ESL program equips you to work with young students and students with language barriers who can benefit from early intervention. When children have positive support in their early years of schooling, it sets them up for long-term success. As an early childhood and/or ESL educator, you won’t only be providing foundational skills like math, science, and literacy, but you’ll also be teaching children crucial skills in how to engage socially and emotionally in the world.

This program offers a solid foundation in early education combined with 12 hours of ESL instruction. Coursework covers topics like effective classroom environments; learning through play and expressive creation; education in urban culture; methods of assessment and evaluation for ESL; trends, models, and methods in ESL instruction; and linguistics for teachers of ESL. In addition, the courses and content in this program are consistently updated to reflect the ever-changing needs of modern education. Our technology course prepares you to confidently use technology to supplement traditional teaching methods and to present engaging virtual instruction.

This program also offers incredible field experience in a diverse range of learning environments. You’ll acquire 120-140 hours of hands-on experience with student teaching opportunities in both public and private schools. Trevecca has partnerships with both Wilson County Schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools. As part of your field experience, you’ll get valuable feedback from faculty and experienced teachers aimed at helping you improve your teaching craft.

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Recognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers, and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth.

As a Christian university, we offer programs that explore the ways faith intersects with your field of study. This means you can gain your degree in a supportive, Christian community with small classroom sizes and engaged faculty members who care about you and your goals.

As part of earning a dual endorsement in early childhood education and English as a second language (ESL), Trevecca students receive training in both subject areas to prepare them for early childhood instruction and language intervention.

Coursework covers topics such as effective classroom environments; learning through play and expressive creation; education in urban culture; methods of assessment and evaluation for ESL; trends, models, and methods in ESL instruction; and linguistics for teachers of ESL. Students receive a strong foundation in language and literacy instruction, children’s literature, early childhood math, social studies, and science methods.

General Education Core — 55 hours

• BUS 2010 Financial Stewardship 2
• COM 1010 Speech Communication 3
• ENG 1020 English Composition I 3
• ENG 1080 English Composition II: Critical Reading, Writing, and Thinking 3
• ENG 2000 World Literature 3
• HIS 1400 World Civilizations: Ancient and Medieval World 3

or

• HIS 1450 World Civilizations: Early Modern and Modern World 3
• HIS 2010 United States History Survey I 3
• HPE 1500 Introduction to Health and Wellness 2
• INT 1100 Life, Calling, and Purpose 3
• MAT 1040 Concepts of Mathematics 3
• MUS 1500 Fine Arts 3
• PHL 2010 Introduction to Philosophy 3

or

• PHL 3070 Ethics 3
• PSY 2500 Human Growth and Cognition 3
• REL 2000 Introduction to Biblical Faith 3
• REL 3000 Christian Tradition 3
• REL 4000 Christian Life and Ministry 3
• SCI 1500 Life Science 3
• SCI 1600 Physical Science 3
• SOC 3270 Education in an Urban Culture (FE-10) 3

INT 1100: Freshman leadership course requirement. Candidates entering with more than 24 hours are exempt.

Interdisciplinary Studies Major — 35 hours

• ALH 2100 Public School Health 2
• COM 2350 Creative Drama (FE-10) 3
• ENG 3180 Language and Literacy (FE-20) 3
• ENG 3750 Children's Literature 3
• ESL 2010 Trends, Models, and Methods of ESL Instruction (FE-10) 3
• ESL 3010 Methods of Assessment and Evaluation for ESL (FE-15) 3
• ESL 3150 English Acquisition (FE-10) 3
• ESL 4010 Linguistics for Teachers of ESL 3
• HIS 2020 United States History Survey II 3
• MAT 1070 Mathematical Ideas and Reasoning 3
• PSY 3411 Introduction to the Exceptional Learner 3
• SCI 2510 Earth and Space Science 3

Professional Core — 26 hours

• ECE 2000 Learning through Play and Creative Expression in the Early Grades (FE-12) 3
• ECE 3370 Social Studies Education PreK-3 (FE-12) 2
• ECE 3455 Early Childhood Math Methods (FE-12) 3
• ECE 3465 Science Methods for PreK-3 Teachers (FE-12) 3
• ECE 4130 Reading and Writing PreK-3 (FE-20) 3
• EDU 1020 Becoming a Teacher (FE-20) 1
• EDU 1500 Foundations of Education 2
• EDU 2100 Technology for Educators 2
• EDU 2350 Elementary Curriculum and Instruction (FE-20) 3
• EDU 3410 Educational Tests and Measurements 2
• EDU 3556 Effective Classroom Environments 2

EDU 1500: must be taken with EDU 1020

Enhanced Student Teaching — 12 hours

• EDU 4600 Student Teaching Seminar 3
• EDU 4680 Enhanced Student Teaching Early Childhood 1-9
• EDU 4730 edTPA Seminar 0

Total Credit Hours: 128

Earning a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies that combines an endorsement in early childhood education (Pre-K-3) with a dual endorsement in English as a second language (ESL) equips graduates to teach students who are in need of both early childhood education and ESL services. Or teachers can choose to focus exclusively on one of these two areas.

Teachers who are recognized for their effectiveness and excellence in the classroom can also get promoted to work as instructional coaches. These are individuals who lead professional development in a school setting, model instruction in classrooms for teacher improvement, and serve as mentors for teachers struggling with the responsibilities of today's classroom.

This program also prepares you to earn a master's or specialist degree. Trevecca offers respected advanced degree programs in educational leadership, ESL, accountability, and instructional leadership that could open additional professional doors in the field of education.