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University of Central Florida

Orlando , Florida ,United States

Early Childhood Development and Education (BS) – Education: Pre-Kindergarten-Primary (PK-3)

Integrate Learning and Development Practices to Facilitate Growth
The B.S. in Early Childhood Development and Education program at UCF prepares you to impact a diverse population of young children and families using research-based, developmentally appropriate practices. Your coursework will provide you with the knowledge and skills in many areas, including child development, social and emotional development, assessment and literacy. Here, we believe that all children deserve a strong foundation in a safe and nurturing environment, using a constructive approach to learning.

With two tracks available, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a path that aligns with your professional and personal goals. Both tracks include practical application work as a way to help students apply what they learn by participating in multiple school and agency opportunities. The early childhood development and education program also works closely with the UCF Creative School, which is an NAEYC-accredited child care program on campus. You’ll work closely with faculty to create your individual plan, which may include practicum placements at top organizations such as Nemours and Arnold Palmer children’s hospitals, Make a Wish Foundation, Orlando Science Center, Children’s Home Society, United Cerebral Palsy, Head Start and Early Head Start, among others.

Education, Pre-Kindergarten through Primary (K-3) Track (certification)
The certification track allows you to explore teaching pedagogy and instructional practices focusing on early childhood education. It’s a great option if you’re interested in teaching pre-kindergarten through third grade. This track meets the educational requirements for certification in pre-kindergarten through third grade. Upon graduating from this Florida state-approved teacher preparation program and passing all three Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, you’ll qualify for the Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate. Additionally, you will graduate with ESOL and Reading Endorsements.

Early Childhood Development Track (non-certification)
In this track, you’ll take a series of core and specialization courses that prepare you to work with children, parents and families in a variety of settings. Your coursework will cover children’s literature and family systems, as well as courses that meet the requirements to become a certified child life specialist. Child life specialists work in hospital settings and help reduce the stress and anxiety children and families experience related to healthcare and hospitalization. Please note that you will not become certified upon completing this program as there are additional requirements to meet post-graduation. This degree culminates in a semester-long practicum.

Intakes

  • Jan
  • March
  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 20

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Career Services has numerous resources and services to offer as you search for the right major or prepare for your job search. It’s never too early or too late to work on your professional development plan. The more time you invest in this process, the more likely you are to achieve your goals.

MyPlan
Match your preferences to career possibilities. Create an account, the UCF group license is V7C3JT8X.

Career Advising
See a career counselor to clarify your career goals and explore options, schedule an appointment in Handshake.

What Can I Do with This Major
Helps connect majors with careers. Includes common career areas, typical employers and strategies designed to maximize career opportunities. Also includes a list of websites that provide information about majors and careers.

Career Planning Class (MHS 2330)
Introduction to career and life planning theories and concepts that assists students in applying these to their own lives.

4-year Career Action Plan
Use your time at UCF to strategically reach your career goals. Career Services can help you from your beginning at UCF, until graduation. Use this plan as a guide to stay on track and get to the finish line.

PSW Opportunity

3 year psw

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

  • Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog
  • Departmental Residency Requirement: at least 21 semester hours of regularly scheduled 3000-4000 level courses must be taken from the UCF Psychology Department
  • Students must earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in each course used to satisfy the CPP, Core Requirements, Restricted Electives and Science Electives.
  • Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all courses satisfying major requirements. If additional Psychology courses are taken beyond the minimum required (e.g. additional restricted electives), those courses will be included in the GPA calculation.
  • Students can select only one Track.
  • Co-op or internship credit cannot be used in this major without prior approval
  • Additional requirements exist for students pursuing the Honors in the Major program.
  • All prerequisites of courses taught within the College of Sciences will be enforced.
  • Courses designated in 1 (General Education Program) and 2 (Common Program Prerequisites) are usually completed in the first 60 hours.

Students whose first language is not English may be required to demonstrate English proficiency by one of the following means:

Proving you’re from a country where English is the only official language
Establishing that a prior bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree was earned from another accredited institution of higher education (meeting university transfer eligibility requirements) in the United States
Establishing that a prior bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree was earned from a country where English is the only official language or from a university at which English is the only official language of instruction
Submitting a qualifying score (220 or higher for computer-based; 80 or higher for internet-based or 550 or higher for paper-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
A minimum 520 EBRW rSAT score, 480 Critical Reading SAT score or 20 ACT (English section)
Presenting a minimum grade of “B” in both English Composition I and English Composition II, or the equivalent, taken at another accredited institution of higher education (meeting university transfer eligibility requirements) in the United States
Completion of four years of English in an American high school in the United States
Completion of the UCF English Language Institute (ELI) level 8 or higher with a grade of “B” or better
Completion of EAP 2851 with a grade of “C” or better or placement into ENC 1101