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Program Overview

Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The Bachelor of Science Elementary Education Program (BEE) is a state-approved educator preparation program that prepares graduates to teach children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students in the program will learn research-based strategies for teaching elementary students and have many opportunities to apply their knowledge in a variety of educational settings through internships. The FGC Bachelor of Science Elementary Education 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).

*Applications for the Minority Teacher Education Scholarship have opened for the Spring 2023 semester. FGC is proud to partner with MTES, and you can apply now by visiting www.ffmt.org. The priority deadline is December 2, 2022, and you will may be eligible for an annual scholarship of $4,000! Don’t hesitate to apply through their website and call us with any questions at 754-4266 about the scholarship, or 754-4282 for questions about Financial Aid.*

Degree Path

Locations

Florida Gateway College

Entrance Requirements

  • C or higher in EDF 1005
  • 2.5 of higher GPA

Hours

Full-time students attend two days a week from 10:00 am -6:45 pm.  Part-time students attend one afternoon a week from 2:30 pm – 6:45 pm and one afternoon a week from 4:00 pm- 6:45 pm.

*Field Experience is required for this program. Field experience hours will be completed outside of the course times.

Costs

  • A.A.: 60 credit hours at 103.32/credit hour = $6,199.20
  • B.E.E.: 60 credit hours at $120.33/credit hour = $7,219.80

The total cost of tuition for the 4 years is $13,419.00

Careers at a Glance

Starting Salaries

Starting salaries vary from $30,000 to $36,000 per year.

Employment Opportunities

A graduate of this program can seek employment teaching students in kindergarten through sixth grade in a Florida public school, charter school, or private school in the State of Florida.

Employers of FGC Graduates

  • Alachua County School District
  • Baker County School District
  • Clay County School District
  • Columbia County School District
  • Dixie County School District
  • Duval County School District
  • Hamilton County School District
  • Lafayette County School District
  • Madison County School District
  • Suwannee County School District
  • Union County School District

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements for admission to the Florida Gateway College (FGC) Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BEE) program are:

  • Acceptance to Florida Gateway College as a degree-seeking student with all required admissions documents received by Enrollment Services.
  • Completion of an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
  • A grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for postsecondary work.
  • Completion of EDF 1005-Introduction to the Teaching Profession with a grade of C or better.  

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

Graduation Requirements for the BS Elementary Education 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 in the program of study, 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 higher in all upper-division coursework.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language.

Program Notes

Students will obtain licensure for:

  • Elementary Education Professional Certificate
  • Reading Endorsement
  • ESOL Endorsement
Program Guide & Syllabi

Associate of Arts Degree: 60 credit hours

  • 36 credit hours General Education Requirements
  • 3 credit hours EDF 1005
  • 21 credit hours electives

Upper Division Courses: 60 credit hours

  • EDE 3223 Integrating Art, Music and Physical Education
  • EDF 3115 Child Development for Inclusive Education
  • EEX 3294 Differentiated Instruction
  • MAE 3310 Teaching Mathematics in Elementary School
  • RED 3309 Teaching Early and Emergent Literacy
  • EDE 3941 Elementary Education Internship I
  • SCE 3310 Teaching Science in Elementary School
  • LAE 3414 Children’s Literature
  • TSL 3080 Foundations of Teaching ESOL
  • MAE 3312 How Children Learn Math
  • SSE 3312 Teaching Social Science in Elementary School
  • EDE 3942 Elementary Education Internship II
  • TSL 4081 TESOL Issues and Practice
  • RED 4318 Teaching Reading in Intermediate Grades
  • EDE 4943 Elementary Education Internship III
  • EDF 4603 Critical Issues in Classroom Management, Ethics, Law, and Safety
  • EDE 4302 Engineering for Elementary Learners
  • EDG 4410 Classroom Management
  • EDE 4936 Senior Seminar in Elementary Education
  • EDE 4945 Internship in Elementary Education
  • RED 4940 Internship in Reading

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes
  • Graduates will be able to apply concepts from human development, learning theories, and knowledge of the subject through the teaching process.
  • Graduates will be able to maintain a student-centered learning environment.
  • Graduates will be able to utilize assessments to guide teaching practice.
  • Graduates will demonstrate professional responsibility and ethical conduct.