ECHDED:BS - Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
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Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education: Prekindergarten/Primary Education: Age 3 through Grade 3 with Reading and ESOL Endorsements Major
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with Reading and ESOL endorsements is an initial teacher preparation program leading to approval for State of Florida Certification in Prekindergarten/Primary education with Reading and ESOL Endorsements. This degree program is designed to educate future teachers of students from prek-3 to grade 3. The program is designed to prepare future teachers of prekindergarten (3) through grade 3 through coursework and field experiences that focus on the necessary skills to assess, plan, teach, and evaluate the education of young students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and varying ability levels.
Clinical Experiences
Early Clinical Experiences (Field Hours)
Many courses offered by the Department of Teaching and Learning require completion of a specified number of early clinical experiences (field hours) in approved K–12 school settings. Course descriptions identify those courses that include in-school classroom experiences. These experiences offer guided observation and participation under the supervision of a classroom teacher and a faculty member from the School of Education and Human Development.
Fingerprinting Requirements
In accordance with the Jessica Lunsford Act, all students completing field and clinical experiences in Florida must undergo fingerprinting and a background check at students’ own expense. Placement requests in approved schools require the district’s clearance verification. Students will not be allowed to enter a school campus without the necessary clearance.
School Placements
All early clinical experiences (field hours) and the Student Teaching internship must be completed at schools with which Florida International University has established affiliation agreements, including but not limited to Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Broward County Public Schools. All placements are coordinated through the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences. Students may not arrange placements independently.
Student Teaching
Student Teaching is the full-time, culminating clinical experience for candidates in Initial Teacher Preparation Programs. This internship allows candidates to apply and demonstrate the professional knowledge and skills acquired throughout their degree program. Under the guidance of a Cooperating Teacher or Mentor Teacher and a University Supervisor, candidates engage in sustained practical teaching over a full academic semester.
Permission to student teach is contingent upon successful completion of all required coursework and Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, as specified in the program of study. Placements are available during the fall and spring semesters of the student’s senior year, but not in the summer.
Students in Initial Teacher Preparation Programs must demonstrate mastery of General Knowledge by passing all four sections of the FTCE General Knowledge Test or by achieving qualifying scores, as established by the State of Florida, on approved alternative assessments (SAT, ACT, GRE, or CLT). Students should contact their academic advisor to inquire about eligibility for a General Knowledge (GK) waiver.
Additional information about clinical experiences (field hours) and the Student Teaching application process, including the online application, is available on the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences website. Students are responsible for completing and submitting the online application by the specified semester deadline.
For questions, contact the FIU Office of Clinical Experiences at 305-348-2082, email ClinicalExperiences@fiu.edu, or visit the Ziff Education Building (ZEB), Room 130.
Academic Progression Requirements
Students admitted to the university are admitted directly to their chosen major. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making satisfactory progress, a change of major may be required. Advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met.
For a list of all state-approved common prerequisites, including alternatives, visit https://cpm.flvc.org.
course require field experience of 15 clock hours outside of class time.
Completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher:
Minimal acceptable grade is a “C”.
Eligibility to enroll in course is contingent upon satisfactory completion of all requirements specified in the program, which includes being fully admitted to the Early Childhood Education Program AND passing scores on FTCE Professional Education and Prekindergarten/Primary (PK-3) Subject Area Examinations.
course, course, course, course, course, course and TSL4081 have a co-requisite of clinical experience (field hours) distributed throughout the term. course Student Teaching Internship is the full-time, culminating experience. Other courses may also have field requirements.
course meets in selected schools.
These courses must be taken in the following sequence: course, course, course.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to University graduation requirements, ECE Program graduation requirements include successful demonstration of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, GPA 2.5 or above and passing scores on all three sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (General Knowledge, Professional Education, and Subject Area Exam Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3).
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Development Major
The Early Childhood Development Major focuses on understanding of learning and development during the early childhood years. Students will learn about the cognitive, language, and social/emotional development of young children within the context of family and community studies. Students will also learn about general and early education practices and curricula.
NOTE: This major does not result in a teacher certification.
The Early Childhood Development Major requires students to take a total of 60 upper division credit hours in professional education and early childhood development.
Choose three (3) advisor-approved teaching methods and curriculum courses, such as:
Select two (2) advisor-approved courses in family and community studies, such as:
Select two (2) advisor-approved literacy/language/reading development courses, such as:
Select up to three (3) advisor-approved elective courses in the area of early childhood learning and development. Elective courses may be used to take additional courses in any of the areas listed above.
Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Early Childhood Education (major: Prekindergarten/Primary Education: Age 3 through Grade 3 with Reading and English Speakers of Other Languages [ESOL] Endorsements)
(1) A minimum lower-division GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale;
(2) Either 60 credit hours of lower division coursework or an AA degree from an accredited institution;
(3) A passing score on the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) – General Knowledge exam;
(4) All students must pass the GK Exam and be admitted to their program by the end of the semester they successfully complete 72 credit hours.
All stated admission requirements are to be considered minimum. A student who meets these minimum requirements is not automatically assured admission. Program admission requirements are subject to change. It is the responsibility of the student to assure that he/she has met the requirements.
Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (major: Early Childhood Development)
In order to be admitted into the Early Childhood Development Major, students must (a) have 60 semester hours or an A.A. degree from a FL public institution, (b) have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and (c) meet the general requirements of Florida International University.
There are no tracks, specializations, concentrations, areas of emphasis, or other curricular offerings associated with this program.