The Bachelor of Science in Education with a Dual Major in Early Childhood and Special Education

The Bachelor of Science in Education with a dual major in early childhood and special education will meet standards established by the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Teacher candidates successfully completing this program will be certified in early childhood and special education, Grades K-5.

Core Curriculum: The early childhood/special education program requires 126-128 credit hours of which 64-66 are to complete the USG Core Curriculum in Areas A through F, Area G, and CCGA 1101.

Professional Education Curriculum : The professional education course of study is comprised of 62 credit hours with courses in mathematics, early childhood, special education, and reading and literacy. In the professional education courses listed below the following guide provides the basis for content: ECED – course content focuses primarily on early childhood; ECSP – course content focuses on early childhood and special education; RDNG – course content focuses primarily on literacy and reading education; and SPED – course content focuses primarily on special education.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program : Prior to enrolling in the Fifth Semester that begins the teacher candidate's professional education sequence of course work, students are required to be admitted to the Teacher Education program. Applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program are completed in March prior to the Fifth Semester. Successful prospective teacher candidates must meet the following criteria:

a. a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all course work
b. successful completion of all three GACE Basic Skills tests
c. successful completion of the Regents Test
d. a grade of C or better in all Area F courses
e. completion of Areas A-F in the core curriculum
f. a successful criminal background check
g. successful completion of three disposition evaluations
h. proof of insurance for tort liability purposes

Continuation in the Teacher Education Program: Once admitted to the Teacher Education Program, teacher candidates are required to maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher to remain in the program. Periodic department monitoring by the program faculty with regard to teacher candidate progress on their knowledge, skills, and dispositions is conducted to ensure that teacher candidates meet high standards. Completion of professional education course work includes lecture courses, practicum courses where teacher candidates work in public schools with children under the supervision of a certified teacher and a university supervisor, seminar courses that provide overview information about upcoming course work, and professional development seminars that provide supplemental knowledge and skills beyond lecture courses. For graduation, all teacher candidates will be required to successfully complete the Capstone Integrated Internship as well as pass the GACE tests required for certification.