EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT TRACK Early Childhood Development majors take a variety of courses related to young children and their learning, development, and family environment. Students take a series of core and specialization courses to prepare them to work with children, parents, and families in a variety of settings. This degree culminates in a semester-long practicum.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the University General Education requirements or its equivalent, i.e. an AA degree from an approved Florida College System or State University System institution.
- Have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA, with provisional acceptance for one semester if GPA is 2.5 (GPA must be 2.75 by the second semester).
- Complete Child Development Common Program Prerequisite courses with a minimum letter grade of "C" (2.0) or better.
- Meet the Gordon Rule Requirement.
- Meet Foreign Language Admission Requirement.
Degree Requirements
- Students must seek advising through the Early Childhood Development and Education staff in the Education Complex, Suite 122 or by e-mail (ece@ucf.edu) prior to registering for classes.
- The courses designated in 1. (General Education) and 2. (Prerequisites) should be completed prior to admission to the major and upper division education courses.
- Students must earn a "C" (2.0) or better in each required Early Childhood Development and Education course. However, a minimum overall 2.75 GPA in all courses within the major is required.
Degree Requirements
Core Requirements: Basic Level
15 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- A grade of "C" (2.0) or better is required.
- Complete the following:
- EEC2732 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children (3)
- MAE3310 - Elementary Mathematics for Teaching I (3)
- EDF2005 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession (3)
- EDF2130 - Child and Adolescent Development for Educators (3)
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- MUE2211 - Early Childhood Music and Movement (3)
- ARE2000 - Early Childhood Art and Creativity (3)
- For students interested in a career as a Child Life Specialist, select EDF 2130.
Core Requirements: Advanced Level
0 Total Credits
- All methods/specialization/foundations courses must be completed with a letter grade of "C" (2.0) or better before registering for Practicum: Early Childhood Development. However, a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required in the professional, specialization and overall for admission to Practicum: Early Childhood Development. A grade of "C" (2.0) or better is required.
Semester I
15 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- EEC3700 - Social and Emotional Development of Young Children (3)
- EEC4303 - Planning Creative Activities in Early Childhood Education (3)
- EEC3008 - Early Childhood Children's Literature (3)
- EEC4661 - Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice: (3)
- EEX3450 - Young Children With Special Needs (3)
Semester II
15 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- EEC4604 - Classroom Management and Guidance of Young Children (3)
- RED3310 - Early Reading, Writing and Language Arts (3)
- TSL4240 - Issues in Second Language Acquisition (3)
- EEC4268 - Curriculum Activities in Early Childhood (3)
- EEX4751 - Parent Involvement in Education (3)
Semester III
0 Total Credits
Semester IV
15 - 18 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- EEC3214 - Child Development (3)
- EEC4528 - Infant/Toddler Care and Education (3)
- EEC4940 - Practicum: Early Childhood Development (3 - 6)
- Note: Students must consult with their advisor regarding approval for other elective options. A grade of "C" (2.0) or better is required.
- Complete at least 2 of the following:
- EEX3221 - Assessment of Exceptional Students (3)
- EEX4763 - Technology for Classroom Teachers of Students with Special Needs (3)
- EEX3241 - Methods for Academic Skills for Exceptional Students (3)
- RED4519 - Diagnostic and Corrective Reading Strategies (3)
- EEX4601 - Introduction to Behavior Management (3)
- EDF4467 - Learning Theory and Assessment (3)
- RED4942 - Practicum for Assessment and Instruction of Reading (3)
- EEC4744 - Child Life: Psychosocial Care of Children in Health Settings (3)
- STA2023 - Statistical Methods I (3)
- DEP2004 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (3)
- EDF2085 - Introduction to Diversity for Educators (3)
- PSY2012H - Honors General Psychology (3)
- HSC3537 - Medical Terminology (3)
- SOW4650 - Child Abuse: Treatment and Prevention (3)
- EDF2720 - Children in Schools: Legal, Ethical and Safety Concerns (3)
- TSL4080 - Theory and Practice of Teaching ESOL Students in Schools (3)
- RED3012 - Basic Foundations of Reading (3)
- EEC4211 - Science and Math Learning for Young Children (3)
- SCE4304 - Teaching Science and Technology to Young Children (3)
- MAE4300 - Math Curriculum and Assessment in Early Childhood (3)
- MHS2090 - Introduction to Human Services (3)
- MHS2330 - Career Planning I (3)
- MHS2441 - Couples, Families and Intimate Relationships (3)
- MHS3052 - Helping Skills for Human Service Providers (3)
- SPA3002 - Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)
- LIN3713 - Language Science (3)
- LIN3716 - Language Development (3)
- SPA4400 - Language Disorders Across the Life Span (3)
- PLA3014 - Law and the Legal System (3)
- PLA4024 - Poverty Law and Community Advocacy (3)
- PLA4807 - Adoption Law (3)
- PLA4806 - Domestic Relations Law (3)
- PLA4843 - Immigration Law and Policy (3)
- PLA4244 - Community Mediation and Conflict Resolution (3)
- PAD4104 - Administrative Theory (3)
- PAD4144 - Nonprofit Organizations (3)
- PAD4147 - Resource Development in the Nonprofit Sector (3)
- PAD4153 - Planning and Improvement for Public Organizations (3)
- PAD4204 - Fiscal Management (3)
- PAD4325 - Program Evaluation for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3)
- SOW3740 - Social Work Practice with Loss & Life's Transitions (3)
- MHS3426 - Diversity Issues in Human Services (3)
Semester V
15 - 18 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- EEC3613 - Observation and Assessment of Young Children (3)
- EEC4402 - Cultural and Family Systems (3)
- EEC4940 - Practicum: Early Childhood Development (3 - 6)
6 Total Credits
- Complete at least 2 of the following:
- EEX4601 - Introduction to Behavior Management (3)
- EEX3221 - Assessment of Exceptional Students (3)
- EEX4763 - Technology for Classroom Teachers of Students with Special Needs (3)
- EEX3241 - Methods for Academic Skills for Exceptional Students (3)
- RED4519 - Diagnostic and Corrective Reading Strategies (3)
- EDF4467 - Learning Theory and Assessment (3)
- RED4942 - Practicum for Assessment and Instruction of Reading (3)
- EEC4744 - Child Life: Psychosocial Care of Children in Health Settings (3)
- SOW3740 - Social Work Practice with Loss & Life's Transitions (3)
- STA2023H - Honors Statistical Methods I (3)
- DEP2004 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (3)
- EDF2085 - Introduction to Diversity for Educators (3)
- PSY2012H - Honors General Psychology (3)
- HSC3537 - Medical Terminology (3)
- SOW4650 - Child Abuse: Treatment and Prevention (3)
- EDF2720 - Children in Schools: Legal, Ethical and Safety Concerns (3)
- TSL4080 - Theory and Practice of Teaching ESOL Students in Schools (3)
- RED3012 - Basic Foundations of Reading (3)
- EEC4211 - Science and Math Learning for Young Children (3)
- SCE4304 - Teaching Science and Technology to Young Children (3)
- MAE4300 - Math Curriculum and Assessment in Early Childhood (3)
- MHS2090 - Introduction to Human Services (3)
- MHS2330 - Career Planning I (3)
- MHS2441 - Couples, Families and Intimate Relationships (3)
- MHS3052 - Helping Skills for Human Service Providers (3)
- MHS3426 - Diversity Issues in Human Services (3)
- SPA3002 - Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders (3)
- LIN3713 - Language Science (3)
- LIN3716 - Language Development (3)
- SPA4400 - Language Disorders Across the Life Span (3)
- SPA4400 - Language Disorders Across the Life Span (3)
- PLA3014 - Law and the Legal System (3)
- PLA4024 - Poverty Law and Community Advocacy (3)
- PLA4807 - Adoption Law (3)
- PLA4806 - Domestic Relations Law (3)
- PLA4813 - Juvenile Law and Procedure (3)
- PLA4244 - Community Mediation and Conflict Resolution (3)
- PAD4104 - Administrative Theory (3)
- PAD4144 - Nonprofit Organizations (3)
- PAD4147 - Resource Development in the Nonprofit Sector (3)
- PAD4148 - Volunteer Management (3)
- PAD4153 - Planning and Improvement for Public Organizations (3)
- PAD4204 - Fiscal Management (3)
- PAD4325 - Program Evaluation for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3)
- PLA4843 - Immigration Law and Policy (3)
Grand Total Credits: 75 - 81
Restricted Electives
Capstone Requirements
Electives
Foreign Language Requirements
Admissions
- State University System foreign language admission requirement: Two years in high school or one year of college instruction in a single foreign language. (This requirement applies to those students admitted to the University without the required two units of foreign language in high school.)
Graduation
Additional Requirements
Required Minors
Departmental Exit Requirements
- Achieve a minimum overall 2.75 GPA in all courses within the major.
- Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in the education core coursework.
- Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in the specialization coursework.
- Achieve a minimum overall 2.75 GPA
- You must upload key assignments using the Via by Watermark platform. Key assignments are assessed by faculty to provide evidence of candidate proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).
- All teacher education candidates, Lifelong Learning majors and Early Childhood Development & Education majors (all ECDE tracks) are required to complete all Via requirements for graduation. See https://ccie.ucf.edu/explore-via/.
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 42 semester hours of upper division credit completed
- 60 semester hours earned after CLEP awarded
- 30 of the last 39 hours of course work must be completed in residency at UCF.
- A maximum of 45 hours of extension, correspondence, CLEP, Credit by Exam, and Armed Forces credits permitted.
- Complete the General Education Program, the Gordon Rule, and nine hours of Summer credit.
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 120
Additional Information
Honors In Major
Related Programs
Certificates
Related Minors
Advising Notes
- A minimum of 6 hours with an international or diversity focus is required. The foreign language admission requirement may be used to meet this requirement.
- Students interested in a Child Life Specialist Certification should seek advising from the ECDE program faculty for electives selection.
- Students interested in Child Life Specialist Certification: Take EEC 4744 - Child Life: Psychosocial Care of Children in Health Settings as an elective course
Transfer Notes
- Courses taken at Florida College System institutions may substitute for select courses in prerequisites with the permission of the department.
Acceptable Substitutes for Transfer Courses
Program Academic Learning Compacts
- Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm
Plan of Study
- Note: This recommended sequence may vary at selected regional campus locations. Consult with your Education advisor and review your degree audit for more recent information.
Freshman Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- EDF 2005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession Credit Hours: 3
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3
- MGF 1106 - Finite Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- SYG 2010 - Social Problems Credit Hours: 3
- PSC 1121 - Physical Science Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 2732 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
Select One: (3 Credit Hours)
- MUL 2010 - Enjoyment of Music Credit Hours: 3
- PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3
- THE 2000 - Theatre Survey Credit Hours: 3
Freshman Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- ARE 2000 - Early Childhood Art and Creativity Credit Hours: 3
- MUE 2211 - Early Childhood Music and Movement Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credit Hours: 3
- BSC 1005 - Biological Principles Credit Hours: 3
- Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1 elective Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective with Advisor approval Credit Hours: 3
- STA 2014 - Principles of Statistics Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
- POS 2041 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3
- Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 3 Elective (Prefer course from Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1) Credit Hours: 3
- Restricted Elective with Advisor approval Credit Hours: 3
Select One: (3 Credit Hours)
- EDF 2130 - Child and Adolescent Development for Educators Credit Hours: 3
- SOW 3104 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
- EEC 3700 - Social and Emotional Development of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4661 - Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice: Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 3613 - Observation and Assessment of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 3214 - Child Development Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 3008 - Early Childhood Children's Literature Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- EEC 4604 - Classroom Management and Guidance of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4402 - Cultural and Family Systems Credit Hours: 3
- EEX 3450 - Young Children With Special Needs Credit Hours: 3
- RED 3310 - Early Reading, Writing and Language Arts Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4414 - Parent-Child Relations Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- EEC 4303 - Planning Creative Activities in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4528 - Infant/Toddler Care and Education Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- PET 4050C - Motor Development and Learning Credit Hours: 3
- Select Three Early Childhood Development Track Electives Credit Hours: 9
Senior Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
- EEC 4940 - Practicum: Early Childhood Development Credit Hours: 12
