Academic Catalog
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students for certification from the Florida Department of Education for Prekindergarten/Primary (age 3 to grade 3), as well as Prekindergarten/Disability endorsement, ESOL endorsement and Reading endorsement. Coursework and extensive field experiences enable students to dynamically integrate theory and teaching practices. Competencies include content-specific knowledge applicable to the unique developmental needs of this age population including a thorough understanding of cultural diversity, individual differences, and skills to work with children in individual ways, particularly English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students; and an emphasis on capabilities of teachers to work with children with atypical abilities and special needs.
Degree-seeking students are classified as pre-majors prior to formal transition into a College of Education (COE) major. In order to transition from a COE pre-major to a major, students must complete the following:
- An overall GPA of 2.5 on all hours attempted.
- Pass all subsections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) General Knowledge Test. No exemptions can be considered.
- Satisfy all General Education requirements.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills requirements.
- Satisfy common prerequisite requirements.
- Successfully complete a background check.
Students must have passed the FTCE Subject Area Exam prior to beginning Block Four (Level I) Internship.
Students must complete all coursework and have passed the FTCE Professional Education Exam prior to beginning Block Five (Level II) Internship.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), including the subject area examination and the Professional Education examination.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level skills and foreign language admission requirements.
- Satisfy the Service Learning requirement. See: https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major. - Common Prerequisites
A minimum grade of C is required in each course
FGCU Course: EDF 2005 Intro to Teach Prof (3)
Acceptable Substitute: EDFX005
FGCU Course: EDF 2085 Intro to Diversity for Educ (3)
Acceptable Substitute: EDFX085
FGCU Course: EME 2040 Intro to Tech in Educ. (3)
Acceptable Substitute: EMEX040 - Required Courses in the Major (57 credits)
A minimum grade of C in each course and an overall GPA of 2.5 is required
EDF 3253 Learning Mgmt Inclusive Class (3)
EDF 4112 Child Growth & Development (3)
EDG 3323 Professional Teaching Practice (3)
EDG 4371 Creative & Affective Develpmnt (3)
EEC 3268 Play Development & Assessment (3)
EEC 4307 Cognitive Exp for Yng Children (3)
EEC 4940 Internship: Early Childhood (9)
EEC 4942 Integrated Field Exp. - EC (3)
EEX 4201 Young Children with Spec Needs (3)
EEX 4221 Educ Assess ofExceptional Stud (3)
LAE 4416 Children's Literature (3)
MAE 4310 Math Content & Processes (3)
RED 4310 Early Literacy Learning (3)
RED 4942 Pract Assess/Instruc Read (3) Capstone
TSL 3080 Foundations of ESOL (3)
TSL 4340 Meth, Curric, & Instruc Effect (3)
TSL 4520 Sec Lang Acquis Comm& Culture (3) - University Requirements (3 credits)
IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3) - Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
