Early Childhood Education (P-5) (Teaching Certification) (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

To be eligible to receive the initial four-year teaching certificate in Georgia, a student must complete a bachelor’s program designed to meet the needs of teachers in a specific teaching field and be recommended by the institution whose program has been completed. The Early Childhood Education Program develops expertise for teaching students from pre-k through the fifth grade and earn the reading endorsement and ESOL endorsement. Candidates in the B.S. in Early Childhood Education program are caring and reflective decision makers who are committed to maximizing all students’ development as contributing citizens in a diverse and democratic society. They balance professional dispositions and content knowledge with pedagogical skills as they collaboratively interact with students, families, and the community.

Entrance Requirements

Complete all GSC general institutional admissions requirements.
Declare a major in Early Childhood Education.
Completion of Core Curriculum Areas A, B, C, D, E* (42 hours).
Complete all courses in Area A of the core curriculum with a grade of “C” or better.
Complete EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, ISCI 2001, ISCI 2002, and MATH 2008 with a grade of “C” or better.
Physical Education - Two courses including PHED 1020 (3-4 hours).
Complete associates degree (or equivalent) with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
Successfully complete the Regents’ Test (transfer students from non-USG institutions must complete the Regents’ Test during their first semester enrolled at GSC).
Post a passing score on the GACE Basic Skills test (or proof of exemption).
Complete an application for admission to the Teacher Education Program including three letters of recommendation, a letter of intent, disposition essay, and a signed liability insurance form.
Agree to request a criminal background check.

* PSYC 1101 is strongly recommended in Area E because it is a prerequisite course for EDUC 2130.

Core Curriculum Area F (18 hours)

Required Courses

EDUC 2110 - Integrating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee
EDUC 2120 - Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Diversity Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee
EDUC 2130 - Exploring Teaching and Learning Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee
ISCI 2001 - Integrated Science I Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ISCI 2002 - Integrated Science II Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
MATH 2008 - Foundations of Numbers and Operation Location Offered:

Program Requirements (62 hours)

Required Courses

ARTS 3000 - Integrated Applied Arts Location Offered: Gainesville
EDUC 3010 - Child and Adolescent Develoment- Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
LART 3005 - Teaching Reading Location Offered: Gainesville
LART 3006 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Location Offered: Gainesville
LART 3007 - Diagnosis & Remediation of Reading Difficulties Location Offered: Gainesville
LART 3090 - Language Arts and Children’s Literature Location Offered: Gainesville
MATH 3110 - Informal Geometry Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
MATH 3116 - Modeling and Algebra Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
PHYS 3000 - Science for Elementary Teachers Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
Total Hours in Program (excluding Physical Eduation) (122)

Program Completion Requirements

Successful completion of all courses required in the degree program (minimum 122 semester credits), including the lower division associate degree requirements.
Successful completion of a minimum of 42 general education credits according to the distribution established by the college (Areas A-E) for its Associate of Science degree program.
Complete all courses in the academic major and professional education courses with an academic grade of “C” or better.
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) as required for program admission. Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 2.75 or who receive “D’s” in major courses will be placed on teacher education probation the next semester. If the problem is not corrected with the next semester of enrollment, the student’s admission to Teacher Education will be revoked.
Successful completion of all field experiences.
Successful completion of the Internship.
Successful completion of GACE ECE Content Test.
Meet the Georgia Professional Standards Commission technology requirement.
Maintain a professional disposition and adhere to the PSC Code of Ethics.
Successful completion of the Regents Test.
Complete at least 30 semester credit hours of major courses in residency at GSC.
Meet all other college graduation policies.