Early Childhood Education Alternative Certification Pathways
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of young children? LSU offers two dynamic alternative certification paths in Early Childhood Education: B-K and PK-3. Designed for those with a non-education bachelor's degree, our programs are perfect for individuals looking to pivot into a rewarding career in education.
With 33 credit hours, our programs are approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and align with the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Our "hyflex" model allows you to tailor your learning experience, whether web-based, face-to-face, or a mix of both.
You'll need a minimum 2.5 GPA and passing scores on the Praxis Content Exams to apply. Our integrated courses cover essential reading requirements, ensuring you're fully prepared to inspire the next generation.
B-K Teacher Alternative Certification
A minimum GPA of 2.5 and passing scores on the Praxis Content Exams for Early Childhood are needed to apply. The Praxis Content Exams include:
- Early Childhood Education (5025) and receive a score of 156 OR
-
Early Childhood Education: Foundational Knowledge and Content (5534) with a passing score of 163 OR
- Early Childhood Education: Foundational Knowledge (5533) with a passing score of 156
PLUS
- Elementary Education: Reading (7002) with a passing score of 138 (until 12/31/2026; increases to 147 on 1/1/27) OR
- Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) 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.
Participate in field-based experiences in a school setting while completing the following courses (or equivalent contact hours).
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.
Required Coursework | 9 hours
Select from the following:
EDCI 2055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 3053 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 3382 Early Childhood Pedagogy (3)
Additional Coursework | 3 hours
EDCI 2055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 2081 Intro to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (3)
EDCI 2083 Intro to Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 3057 Learning Environments for Infants & Toddlers (3)
EDCI 3383 Assessment and Planning for Reflective Instruction (3)
Reading (according to Bulletin 746) | 9 hours
EDCI 3000 Children’s Literature (3)
EDCI 3050 Dyslexia and Related Reading Disabilities in Young Readers (3) - required for certification
2028
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)
* Courses cover reading, in addition to other content areas, in these blended courses.
2 semester residency: practitioner teachers assume full-time teaching positions in districts | 12 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)
These residency classes meet for 4 hours each week, in addition to students' field placements, which total 32 hours each week. Reading/literacy is covered within the context of this course.
The Office of Clinical Experiences will solicit participants’ student assessment data from parish school systems. This release form will be collected during the admission process.
Candidates who demonstrate areas of need will complete prescriptive plans. 1-9 hours
Support types may include online support, internet resources, special seminars, etc.
PK-3 Teacher Alternative Certification
A minimum GPA of 2.5 and passing scores on the Praxis Content Exams for Elementary Multiple Subjects (7001) and receive a passing score in all areas are needed to apply. The areas include:
- Reading Language Arts (7002) with a passing score of 138 (until 12/31/2026; will increase to 147 on 01/01/2027),
- Mathematics (7003) with a passing score of 157,
- Social Studies (7004) with a passing score of 155,
- and Science (7005) 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.
Participate in field-based experiences in a 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.
Required Coursework | 9 hours
Select from the following:
EDCI 2055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 3381 Early Childhood Curriculum (3) and
EDCI 3382 Early Childhood Pedagogy (3)
or EDCI 3484 English Language Arts and Social Studies in Grades 1-3 (6)
Additional Coursework | 3 hours
EDCI 2055 Development of Young Children in Context (3)
EDCI 2081 Intro to Developmentally Appropriate Practice (3)
EDCI 2083 Intro to Early Childhood Education (3)
EDCI 3383 Assessment and Planning for Reflective Instruction (3)
EDCI 3485 Math and Science in Grades 1-3 (6)
Reading (according to Bulletin 746) | 9 hours
EDCI 3000 Children’s Literature (3)
EDCI 3050 Dyslexia and Related Reading Disabilities in Young Readers (3) - required for certification
2028
EDCI 3381* Early Childhood Curriculum (1 of 3)
EDCI 3382* Early Childhood Pedagogy (1 of 3)
or EDCI 3484 English Language Arts and Social Studies in Grades 1-3 (3 of 6)
* Courses cover reading, in addition to other content areas, in these blended courses.
2-semester residency: practitioner teachers assume full-time teaching positions in districts. 12 hours
EDCI 4381 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in PK/K (12)
or EDCI 4481 Student Teaching: Practice and Reflection in 1st-3rd (12)
These residency classes meet for 4 hours each week, in addition to students' field placements, which total 32 hours each week. Reading/literacy is covered within the context of this course.
The Office of Clinical Experiences will solicit participants’ student assessment data from parish school systems. This release form will be collected during the admission process.
Candidates who demonstrate areas of need will complete prescriptive plans. 1-9 hours
Support types may include online support, internet resources, special seminars, etc.
Application Information
Apply as a transfer student if you have graduated from high school and have attempted or completed coursework at another college or university.
When completing the Common Application, answer "yes" to "Do you plan to attend LSU as a visiting student for one semester?"
Apply as a re-entry student if you have ever been admitted to and enrolled at LSU, but have not been enrolled at LSU for one or more fall/spring semesters.
While completing the Common Application, answer yes to "Do you plan to attend LSU as a visiting student for one semester?"
Enroll in the Alternative Certification Program
The link opens a form where you will upload additional information that the School of Education faculty and staff need to facilitate your admission to the program.
Email Hillary Eisworth with any questions.