Early Childhood Education, B.S.

(120 credit hours)

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education (BEC) program is designed to prepare graduates to work in child care programs serving young children birth through age four. The BEC program is for students who have already received an Associate in Science or an Associate in Arts degree and are interested in pursuing further education. The BEC program meets all requirements set by the state and is fully accredited. While the BEC does not lead to Florida teacher certification, it does meet requirements identified to become either Head Start or Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) lead teachers. Students will graduate with a strong knowledge base of how young children grow and develop and best practices to support young children’s success. Although the BEC program does not lead directly to Florida teaching certification, it does prepare graduates for the Preschool Education (birth - age 4) subject area test.

Students with an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education (AS ECE) will transition into the BEC program already possessing foundational knowledge regarding early childhood. Students with an Associate in Arts (AA) in Education will have a core knowledge of working with children in general, but will need additional lower-level early childhood education classes* as they progress through the BEC program. Students with an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts in other program areas will need to successfully complete one core education class prior to BEC program admission. In addition, four lower-level early childhood education classes* are required, but can be taken as they progress through the Bachelor’s upper-level early childhood education classes.
(*The four lower-level early childhood education classes are designated as either a pre-requisite or co-requisite to an upper-level class.)

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to support children’s development and learning in context.

2. Students will demonstrate their ability to create positive family-teacher partnerships.

3. Students will demonstrate their ability to observe, document, and assess children.

4. Students will demonstrate their understanding of developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate teaching practices.

5. Students will demonstrate knowledge, application, and integration of academic content in the early childhood curriculum.

6. Students will demonstrate professionalism as an early childhood educator.

To be officially considered for admission into this program, a student must:

• Complete and submit to the FGC Office of Enrollment Services the online Admission Application, as a baccalaureate student, along with all required, supporting documents. The application can be found at https://apply.fgc.edu/Ellucian.ERecruiting.Web.External/pages/welcome.aspx.
• Complete a BEC program application and submit to Dr. Sharron Cuthbertson,
  • by mail - FGC, 149 S.E. College Place, Lake City, Florida 32025
  • by fax - (386)754-4995
  • by email - sharron.cuthbertson@fgc.edu
  • The application can be found at https://www.fgc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BEC-Application-2018-1-1.pdf.
• A grade of “C” (GPA 2.0) or better in all Gordon Rule courses.
• A grade of “C” (GPA 2.0) or better in all education and early childhood education pre-requisite courses.

In order to graduate with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education, students must complete the following BEC program requirements in addition to the Bachelor of Science Graduation Requirements :

• Fulfill the foreign language requirement by completing two credits of the same foreign language in high school or completion of a postsecondary course at the elementary 2 level (meaning the second course in a foreign language sequence) in one foreign language or American Sign Language (ASL), or passing scores on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) for the elementary 2 level course.
• Complete at least one core course from each of the general education subject areas of communication, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. General Education core course options are identified in Rule 6A-14.0303.
• Successfully complete all early childhood education courses required for the program with a “C” (GPA 2.0) or better.

The courses required for the program are listed below.

Early Childhood Education, B.S. Total 120 Credit Hours

**Semester sequence may vary based on full- or part-time status and fall or spring entry.