Program: S6300

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education degree program at Polk State College is a state-approved educator preparation program that prepares the graduate to teach children ages three to eight years old, with emphasis on the social, emotional, cognitive, and linguistic components of child development. Through coursework and associated field experiences in early childhood settings, the participant integrates 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 in a variety of educational settings. The Polk State College Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education graduate is eligible for Florida Pre-Kindergarten/Primary teacher certification (Age 3 - Grade 3), and endorsements in Reading (K-12) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL, K-12).

The graduate of this program may seek employment opportunities teaching in pre-kindergarten through third grade settings, including in Head Start and voluntary pre-K programs (VPK), and within Florida public and private schools. This degree can also lead to administrative or leadership positions in early childhood education programs and agencies, such as voluntary pre-K lead teachers, Head Start lead teachers, Head Start mentor teachers, Head Start family service workers, and Head Start home visitor managers.

Admission Criteria:
Program admission requires an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education (or a related field), or an Associate in Arts degree (or the equivalent) from a regionally accredited school or college, with a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0-point scale in all previous coursework. 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 EDF1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession with a grade of C or better.

Note: Fingerprinting and a Level-2 criminal background check are required before the student may enroll in courses with mandatory field experiences in local schools or early childhood learning centers.

Course Progression for Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education:
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education curriculum is provided in a flexible format. The student is not required to complete all lower-division courses before enrolling in upper-division courses, however a preferred pathway is designed for the program. This format accommodates the working adult who typically enrolls part time and must balance class enrollment with work and family responsibilities.  

Note: Three courses must be taken concurrently in the last semester prior to graduation: EEC 4940 Internship in Early Childhood Education, EEC 4936 Senior Seminar in Early Childhood Education, and RED 4940 Final Reading Internship.

The student must receive a passing score on the Professional Education (PEd) and the Prekindergarten/Primary Pre-K-Grade 3 Subject Area Examination (SAE) components of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) before permission to register for EEC 4940 Internship in Early Childhood Education (and its co-requisite courses) is granted.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Upon successful completion of this program, the graduate is able to:
PLO1: Demonstrate Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs)
PLO2: Demonstrate Competencies and Skills for Teacher Certification (Prekindergarten - Grade Three)
PLO3: Demonstrate Florida Reading Endorsement Competencies
PLO4: Demonstrate Florida Teacher Standards for ESOL Endorsement