Inclusive Childhood Education Major

Be equipped to serve all elementary learners.

The inclusive childhood education major prepares you to teach all learners in both childhood education (grades 1-6) and special education (grades 1-6). In your first year, you’ll be immersed in diverse field and coursework to prepare you to serve the needs of today’s classroom. Those experiences paired with inclusive practices will prepare you for today’s classrooms. All along the way you'll receive support from faculty mentors in a Christ-centered environment. You'll have the foundation you need to grow spiritually and as an educator.

Classes Careers Meet the Faculty

New York State Teacher Certification

Upon completion of this program, you may apply for an Initial Teaching Certificate from New York State. In addition, you must complete the required New York State Teacher Certification Examinations appropriate to your desired teaching certificate(s).

What will I learn?

Through Houghton’s Inclusive Childhood Education program, be equipped for transformative learning and service as you:

Learn about theories, philosophies, strategies and methods designed to meet the wide range of learner needs in a variety of inclusive, elementary-level contexts
Immerse yourself in diverse field and coursework starting in your first year
Observe, learn, and teach in a spectrum of schools. Including opportunities in rural and urban schools, or abroad
Work towards 150 hours of contact time in general and/or inclusive classroom settings prior to student teaching.
Dedicate your senior year to a full semester of student teaching
Receive intentional, personalized academic advising and mentoring by education faculty. These faculty are committed to integrating theory, practice and Christian faith in their teaching
Collaborate on research with education faculty members. Present your findings at international, national and regional conferences

Major Requirements

Inclusive childhood education students must choose either of the following:

A concentration in art*, communication, English, humanities, global studies, mathematics, mathematics/science, science, music*, social studies, or writing.
A second major selected from the following: art, biology (BA), chemistry (BA), communication, English, history, humanities, global studies, math, music (BA), physics (BA), political science, or writing.

*NOTE: Completion of a concentration or major in art (BA) or music (BA) in conjunction with the ICE major does not lead to certification to teach art or music.

Inclusive Childhood Education (BS)

Art Concentration (BS)

Communication Concentration (BS)

English Concentration (BS)

Humanities Concentration (BS)

Global Studies Concentration (BS)

Math Concentration (BS)

Math & Science Concentration (BS)

Music Concentration (BS)

Science Concentration (BS)

Social Studies Concentration (BS)

Writing Concentration (BS)

Experiential Learning

Through Houghton’s experiential learning, you’ll have at least 100 hours of contact time prior to student teaching. Some of these opportunities may include:

Assisting with Math, Division, Literacy Days where groups of students come to campus
Summer AmeriCorps opportunities in Buffalo where you work with English Language Learners
Getting connected with a teacher or groups of teachers for an entire year as part of your Junior Practicum
Service learning opportunities: after-school programs, collaborating with local teachers, tutoring. Organizations like Journey’s End Tutoring in Buffalo, Reading Club at King Center Charter School in Buffalo, or Allegany County Outreach

Inner City Immersion Experience

Experience teaching in an inner-city setting. Teaching in Urban America, is a two-week site experience in Buffalo, NY.

Observe and engage in a more diverse classroom setting
Discuss culture, poverty, privilege and race and their relationships with education
Engage in a service-learning project in the community
Explore the city of Buffalo

Intentional Mentoring by Faculty

At Houghton, your education professors serve as mentors throughout your coursework and fieldwork. You will receive careful placement and personal oversight by full-time education faculty who know you well. All faculty have earned graduate degrees in specific areas of specialization and all have served as classroom teachers.