Program: S6310

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Program at Polk State College prepares teacher candidates to teach children in kindergarten to grade six classroom environments. Through coursework and associated field experiences in elementary settings, teacher candidates integrate theory with teaching practice to demonstrate competencies related to research-based instructional techniques that are appropriate for all students, including those from diverse cultures, of varying exceptionalities, and across all performance levels within a variety of educational settings. The Polk State College BS in Elementary Education degree program graduate is eligible for Florida Elementary Teacher Certification (K - Grade 6), and endorsements in Reading (K-12) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL, K-12).

Employment opportunities for graduates of this program include teaching students in kindergarten through sixth grade within Florida public and private schools.

 

Admission Criteria:
Program admission requires an AA degree (or the equivalent) from a regionally-accredited school or college, with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. If the student’s associate’s degree is from a non-regionally accredited institution, but one that is accredited by a body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, a course-by-course evaluation is done according to Polk State College’s transfer practices and policies.

The following additional admission requirements are set forth by the State of Florida:

• A passing score on the General Knowledge (GK) Exam of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE).
• Completion of Education Program prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher:
  • First-time-in-college (FTIC) students who enrolled at Polk State before the 2017- 2018 College Catalog year must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher: EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession, EDF 2085 Introduction to Diversity for Educators, and EME 2040 Introduction to Technology for Educators.
  • First-time-in-college (FTIC) students who enrolled at Polk State during the 2017- 2018 College Catalog year (or later) must complete  EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession with a grade of C or higher. 

Note: Fingerprinting and a Level-2 criminal background check are required before a student may enroll in courses with mandatory field experience in local schools.

 

Transfer Students:
Students who have started an Elementary Education bachelor’s degree program at another institution may be eligible to transfer to Polk State College. Transcripts are reviewed on a course-by-course basis to determine equivalency to Polk State College courses and to confirm demonstration of state-required educator competencies, as necessary.

 

Course Progression for the BS in Elementary Education Degree:
The BS in Elementary Education curriculum is provided in a flexible format. A preferred order is designed for the program, and prerequisites exist for some of the courses; however, there is sufficient reinforcement of key concepts across the curriculum, without redundancy of material, to enable students to be successful if courses are taken in a variable order. This format accommodates working adults who typically enroll part time and must balance class enrollment with work and family responsibilities. Three courses, EDE 4936 Senior Seminar in Elementary Education, EDE 4945 Internship in Elementary Education, and RED 4940 Final Reading Internship must be taken concurrently in the last semester prior to graduation.

 

Note: Students must receive a passing score on the Professional Education (PEd) and the Elementary (K-6) Subject Area Examination (SAE) components of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) before permission to register for EDE 4945 Internship in Elementary Education (and its co-requisite courses) is granted.