Radford University students who plan to teach young children major in Interdisciplinary Studies-Early Childhood (IDEC). The Interdisciplinary Studies major is approved by the State Council of Higher Education and the Virginia Department of Education as the approved undergraduate degree for Radford University students who wish to teach in primary, elementary, or middle schools in Virginia. The Interdisciplinary Studies major incorporates both the breadth and depth of knowledge required for successful teaching.

Students who complete the Interdisciplinary Studies-Early Childhood (IDEC) major are qualified for teacher licensure from the Virginia Department of Education with two endorsements: Early Childhood Education (prekindergarten through third grade) and Early Childhood Special Education (children with disabilities, ages birth through five).

The Interdisciplinary Studies major is composed of four distinct components: general education, an interdisciplinary core, two concentrations, and professional studies. The 50 semester hour general education component is required of all students at Radford University and is designed to provide breadth of general knowledge. That breadth of understanding is continued with the interdisciplinary core which requires additional work in mathematics, science, social science, humanities, the performing arts, and special education.

Students develop depth in knowledge through two concentrations: Special Education and Human Development. Students complete at least 15 credit hours

in each of these concentrations beyond general education to satisfy this requirement for the degree.

Throughout their college career, students planning to teach are advised by faculty or staff in the College of Education and Human Development. In their freshman and sophomore years, students are required to spend at least 50 hours working with young children as a prerequisite to admission to the Teacher Education program. Students also must take Praxis I, in their freshman year.

Beginning in the junior year, students who have obtained a 2.5 GPA and have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program begin the IDEC program in a cohort group. A required set of courses and field experiences are designed for the cohort.

During the first semester of the senior year, students enroll in a prescribed set of courses and spend three days a week working with infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, and with typically developing young children in public schools. Students spend the second semester in full-time student teaching, with one-half devoted to a prekindergarten through third grade experience and the other half to an early childhood special education setting. Passing scores on Praxis I and at least a 2.5 GPA are prerequisites to student teaching.

REQUIRED COURSES

In addition to general education and interdisciplinary core requirements, IDEC courses and field experiences include:

Special Education Concentration 17

EDSP 445. Adaptive Strategies in Arithmetic 3

EDSP 451. Collaborative Consultation and

Communication Skills 3

EDSP 462. Behavior Management for

Exceptional Learners 2

EDSP 437. Assessment, Diagnosis, and Evaluation

In Early Childhood Special Education 3

EDSP 438. Program Management in Early Childhood

Special Education 3

EDSP 439. Neurodevelopmental and Medical Aspects

of Teaching Young Children with Disabilities 3

Human Development 15

HUMD 200. Foundations and Trends in

Early Education 3

HUMD 215. Guiding Young Children 3

HUMD 321. Early Development and Learning:

Infants and Toddlers 3

HUMD 322. Early Development and Learning:

Preschool through Primary Grades 3

HUMD 323. Language Arts and Literature for

Young Children 3

Professional Education 30

EDUC 320. Education in the United States 3

HUMD/EDEC 416. Home/School

Collaborative Relationships 3

EDRD 413. Early Literacy and Reading 4

EDEC 425. Curriculum, Instruction and Adaptations

for Young Children 4

EDEC 430. Field Experiences in Early Childhood

and Early Childhood Special Education 4

EDEC/EDSP 450. Student Teaching: Early Childhood

And Early Childhood Special Education 12

The IDEC program of study is under review for possible revision.

IDEC CORE FACULTY

Barbara Foulks Boyd

Professor (Early Childhood Education)

B.A., M.Ed., SUNY-College of Albany

Ed.D., University of the Pacific

bfoulks@radford.edu

Jaye Harvey

Associate Professor (Early Childhood Special Education)

B.S., Virginia Tech

M.Ed., James Madison University

Ed.D., University of Memphis

jharvey@radford.edu

RELATED PROGRAMS

The Special Education Department also offers a non-licensure concentration, and a minor in special education, and a 5-year undergraduate/graduate program culminating in licensure to teach students in the high incidence areas of mental retardation, learning disabilities, and emotional/behavioral disorder, (K-12),.

FACILITIES AND RESOURCES

Classrooms and offices used for education courses are located primarily in Peters Hall. A computer laboratory, a technology innovation laboratory, and a Teaching Resource Center for students are all located on the first floor of Peters Hall. These facilities, as well as the James McConnell Library house a wealth of materials related to the education of young children The Infant and Toddler Connection of the New River Valley (ITCNRV), housed in the Special Education Department, provides field-based opportunities for students to learn about infants and toddlers with disabilities (Birth - Age 2). IDEC students also benefit from observation and practicum experiences at the Early Learning Program located on campus in Calhoun Hall.

FINANCIAL AID

Scholarship and loan funds are available through the Radford University Financial Aid Office. For further information about work-study, work-fellowships and other aid, contact:

Office of Financial Aid

P.O. Box 6905

Radford University

Radford, VA 24142

(540) 831-5408

http://www.radford.edu/~finaid/

ADMISSION

Application for admission and request for admissions materials should be made to:

Director of Admissions

P.O. Box 6903

Radford University

Radford, VA 24142

(540) 831-5317

Toll-free (800) 890-4265

Email: ruadmiss@radford.edu