Mar 29, 2024  
Catalog/Handbook 2021-2022 
    
Catalog/Handbook 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education, BS


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Program: S6310

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Program at Polk State College is a state-approved educator preparation program that prepares the graduate to teach children in a kindergarten to sixth-grade classroom environment. Through coursework and associated field experiences in elementary settings, the teacher candidate 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 within a variety of educational settings. The Polk State College Bachelor of Science 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).

A graduate of this program can seek employment opportunities teaching students in kindergarten through sixth grade within Florida public and private schools.

Admission Criteria:

Program admission requires an Associate of 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. If the student’s associate 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 EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession with a grade of C or better.
    (The program also strongly recommends completion of EME 2040 Introduction to Technology for Educators and EDF 2085 Introduction to Diversity for Educators.)

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

Transfer Students:

A student who has started an Elementary Education baccalaureate degree program at another institution may be eligible to transfer to Polk State College. Each transcript is 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 Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education:

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education curriculum is provided in a flexible format; however, a preferred pathway is designed for the program. This format accommodates the working adult who typically must enroll 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: EDE 4936 Senior Seminar in Elementary Education, EDE 4945 Internship in Elementary Education, and RED 4940 Final Reading Internship. A full-time classroom internship is required for 12 weeks during the final semester.

The student 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.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is able to:
PLO 1: Demonstrate Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).
PLO 2: Demonstrate Competencies and Skills for Teacher Certification (Kindergarten to Grade Six).
PLO 3: Demonstrate Florida Reading Endorsement Competencies.
PLO 4: Demonstrate Florida Teacher Standards for ESOL Endorsement.

General Education Requirements (36 Credits Required)


Note: A student who has completed an AA degree at a public Florida college has met the General Education requirements. A student who has completed an AA degree outside of Florida should consult with an advisor to determine if acceptable substitutions may satisfy some or all of Polk State College’s General Education requirements.

Mathematics (6 Credits Required)


One course must be from List A; the other can be from List A or B.

Electives (24 Credits Required)


Total Credits for Bachelor of Science Degree: 120


Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree Program:


  • Receive a passing score on all three components of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE): General Knowledge (GK), Professional Education (PEd), and the Elementary Education (K-6) Subject Area Examination (SAE).
  • Complete credits as outlined above, including a professional portfolio demonstrating the program outcomes and the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
  • Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.
  • Earn a C or better in all upper-division coursework.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language through any of the following means: completion of two years of high school instruction in the same foreign language, completion of a minimum of eight college-level credits in one foreign language, achievement of minimum scores on a foreign language proficiency exam approved by the Registrar’s Office, or completion of a high school diploma in a foreign country where the student studied in a language other than English.
  • Complete 25 percent (i.e., 30 credit hours) of the degree program at Polk State College.
  • Complete at least 25 percent (i.e., 15 credit hours) of the upper-division courses required for the  baccalaureate program at Polk State College, including EDE 4945 Internship in Elementary Education.

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