A new interdisciplinary degree in the NIU College of Education and the College of Professional Studies awaits approval from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

The bachelor of science degree in early childhood studies was approved by the Board of Regents March 22. The interdisciplinary degree is a joint effort of the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction and their early childhood program and the College of Professional Studies’ Human and Family Resources department and their child development program.

NIU Assistant Provost Lynne Waldeland said, “Usually they (the IBHE) approve new programs in December, but it could be in the next few months. We hope that we will know by this summer.”

Rosemarie Slavenas, assistant professor in curriculum and instruction, said the degree would provide public school certification to teach with an emphasis on childhood development from birth to third grade.

The certification involves teaching handicapped children under the early intervention programs created under federal legislation for those children considered “risk factors,” she said. The programs are scheduled to begin in 1991.

Earl Goodman, chairman of the Department of Human and Family Resources, said students now must take between 145 and 155 hours to complete the required coursework. The new requirement is 124 hours of coursework.

She said faculty from both colleges and the departments within them have been working on the program for five years.

“Bringing together the early childhood undergrad component from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the child development component from the Human and Family Resources Department will make it very successful,” she said.

Graduates of the program could find employment in childcare programs, parent/family agencies, social service agencies and national agencies such as Headstart, the oldest early intervention program.