Academic Catalog

Special Education (B.A.) 2023-2024 Catalog Year
College of Education

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Special Education prepares students to earn certification in Exceptional Student Education, grades K-12, which covers teaching children with emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental/intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and physical and health disabilities. Field experiences are central to the special education program and begin in the first semester with increasing involvement throughout the program.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

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 credits 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:

  • Pass the FTCE, including the subject area examination and the Professional Education examination.
  • Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
  • Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
  • Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
  • 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.
  • Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
  • Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
  1. 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.

  2. 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
  1. Required Courses in the Major (57 credits)
    A minimum grade of C in each course and a GPA of 2.5 is required

    EDF 3253 Learning Mgmt Inclusive Class (3)
    EDF 4112 Child Growth and Development (3)
    EDG 3323 Professional Teaching Practice (3)
    EEX 4050 Theories & Prac in Spec Educ (3)
    EEX 4221 Educ Assess ofExceptional Stud (3)
    EEX 4254 Tching Students w/Mild-Mod Dis (3)
    EEX 4474 Tching Students Mod/Sev Disabil (3)
    EEX 4604 BehavMgmt SpecNeed/AtRisk Stud (3)
    EEX 4940 Internship: Special Ed (9)
    EEX 4942 Integr Field Exper in Spec Ed (3)
    MAE 4310 Math Content & Processes (3)
    RED 4310 Early Literacy Learning (3)
    RED 4350 Literacy Content & Processes (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)

  2. University Requirements (3 credits)
    IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)

  3. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 120

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