EDUCATION: PRE-KINDERGARTEN-PRIMARY (PK-3) TRACK Early Childhood Development and Education majors take a variety of courses related to young children and their learning, development, and family environment. Students in the Education: Pre-Kindergarten-Primary (Pre-K-3rd) Track are working toward teacher certification in Pre-Kindergarten-Primary (PK-3) with ESOL Endorsement and Reading Endorsement. Students in this track take a series of core and specialization courses to prepare them to teach in the schools and to demonstrate mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP). Early and continuous field experiences are provided to enhance the students in this track with an integration of theory and practice in school settings. This degree culminates in a semester-long internship.
This Pre-Kindergarten-Primary (PK-3) track has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CCIE-Early-Childhood-PK3-BS-June2020.pdf
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 all Education Common Program Prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or better.
- Pass all four parts of the General Knowledge Test.
- 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 email (ece@mail.ucf.edu) prior to registering for classes.
- The courses designated in 1. (General Education) and 2. (Education Common Program 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.
- Passing scores on ALL three sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE). See http://www.fldoe.org for available test dates and test sites. FTCE General Knowledge Test (GKT)-passing scores on the GKT is required prior to admission to the major. FTCE Professional Education Test (PEd) and Subject Area Examination (SAE-Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3) are required prior to entry into Internship.
- FTCE General Knowledge Test (GKT) - passing scores on the GKT are strongly recommended prior to semester 1 of the junior year and required for admission into the Early Childhood Development and Education, Track 1-Education: Pre-Kindergarten-Primary (Pre-K-3rd).
- FTCE Professional Education Test (PEd) and Subject Area Examination (SAE-Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3) are required prior to entry into Internship.
- This is a state-approved, initial teacher preparation program designed in compliance with Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066. Degree requirements are subject to change based on state mandates.
General Education Program (GEP) (36 Credit Hours)
- Students are advised to take the preferred courses.
Communication Foundations (9 Credit Hours)
- ENC 1101 - Composition I Credit Hours: 3 (Required)
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3 (Required)
- SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Cultural & Historical Foundations (9 Credit Hours)
General Education Program elective from Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 2: Credit Hours: 3
- MUL 2010 - Enjoyment of Music Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
- or
- PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
- or
- THE 2000 - Theatre Survey Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
- General Education Program elective from Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1 Credit Hours: 3
- General Education Program elective: Prefer a second course from Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1 Credit Hours: 3
Mathematical Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
- STA 2014C - Principles of Statistics Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Select One: (3 Credit Hours)
- MGF 1106 - Finite Mathematics Credit Hours: 3 (Suggested)
- MGF 1107 - Explorations in Mathematics Credit Hours: 3 (Suggested)
- MAC 1105C - College Algebra Credit Hours: 3
Social Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
- POS 2041 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Science Foundations (6 Credit Hours)
- PSC 1121 - Physical Science Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
- BSC 1005 - Biological Principles Credit Hours: 3 (Preferred)
Common Program Prerequisites (CPP) (9 Credit Hours)
A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required.
1 In addition to this course, 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.
- EDF 2005 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession Credit Hours: 3
- EDF 2085 - Introduction to Diversity for Educators Credit Hours: 3 1
- EME 2040 - Introduction to Technology for Educators Credit Hours: 3
Core Requirements: Basic Level (15 Credit)
A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required.
Other Program Prerequisites
1 Courses taken at Florida College System institutions may substitute for select courses in Other Program Requirements with the permission of the department.
- EDF 2130 - Child and Adolescent Development for Educators Credit Hours: 3 1
- EEC 2732 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- MAE 3310 - Elementary Mathematics for Teaching I Credit Hours: 3
- Elective Credit Hours: 3
Select One: (3 Credit Hours)
- ARE 2000 - Early Childhood Art and Creativity Credit Hours: 3
- MUE 2211 - Early Childhood Music and Movement Credit Hours: 3
Core Requirements: Advanced Level (60 Credits)
- All methods/specialization/foundations courses must be completed with a letter grade of “C” (2.0) or better before registering for Internship. However, a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required in the education core/professional, specialization and overall for admission to Internship.
- A grade of “C” (2.0) or better is required.
Semester I (15 Credit Hours)
Passing score on the General Knowledge Test portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) is required prior to application to admission to the major.
- EEC 3700 - Social and Emotional Development of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4661 - Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice: Credit Hours: 3
- EEX 4751 - Parent Involvement in Education Credit Hours: 3
- TSL 4080 - Theory and Practice of Teaching ESOL Students in Schools Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4268 - Curriculum Activities in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
Semester II (15 Credit Hours)
Passing score on the Professional Education Test portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) is strongly recommended to be taken prior to Semester III, and it is required to be taken and passed during Semester III.
- EEC 4604 - Classroom Management and Guidance of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4207 - Assessment and Evaluation of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- TSL 4240 - Issues in Second Language Acquisition Credit Hours: 3
- EEX 3450 - Young Children With Special Needs Credit Hours: 3
- RED 3310 - Early Reading, Writing and Language Arts Credit Hours: 3
Summer (6 Credit)
Passing scores on all sections [General Knowledge, Professional, and Subject Area (Pre-kindergarten/Primary PK -3)] of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) are required prior to entry into Internship.
- EEC 4303 - Planning Creative Activities in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3
- RED 3012 - Basic Foundations of Reading Credit Hours: 3
Semester III (12 Credit Hours)
Based on recommendations below, the student should achieve a passing score on all applicable sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination prior to entry into Student Teaching (EEC 4943 - Student Teaching).
Students must apply and be approved for Internship. Deadline dates and placement application are available through the Office of Clinical & Field Experiences at https://ccie.ucf.edu/clinicalexp/. A fee may be required as part of the placement application process
- MAE 4300 - Math Curriculum and Assessment in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
- SCE 4304 - Teaching Science and Technology to Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- RED 4311 - Primary Reading, Writing, and Language Arts Curriculum and Assessment Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4235C - Early Childhood Education Seminar: Bridging Theory to Practice Credit Hours: 3
Semester IV (12 Credit Hours)
Satisfactory completion of Internship requires the student to demonstrate proficiency in all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices in accordance with State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066. Deadline dates and placement application are available through the Office of Clinical & Field Experiences at https://ccie.ucf.edu/clinicalexp/. A fee may be required as part of the placement application process
- EEC 4943 - Student Teaching Credit Hours: 12
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 specialization coursework.
- Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in the education core 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 and Education majors (all ECDE tracks) are required to complete Via requirements before being certified for graduation. See https://ccie.ucf.edu/explore-via/.
- Complete ESOL standards assessment tracking requirements in Via by LiveText for the ESOL endorsement
- Pass all applicable sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination. See http://www.fldoe.org for test dates and test sites. Effective January 1, 2015, only examination results earned by educators within 10 years prior to the date of application for a new Florida Educator’s Certificate with the Florida Department of Education may be acceptable for certification eligibility requirements (SBE Rule 6A-4.002)
University Minimum Exit Requirements
- A 2.0 UCF GPA
- 48 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
Transfer Notes
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
- 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 (12 Credit Hours)
- EDF 2085 - Introduction to Diversity for Educators Credit Hours: 3
- ENC 1102 - Composition II Credit Hours: 3
- PSC 1121 - Physical Science 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)
- POS 2041 - American National Government Credit Hours: 3
Select One: (3 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
- EME 2040 - Introduction to Technology for Educators Credit Hours: 3
- STA 2014C - Principles of Statistics Credit Hours: 3
- Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1 Elective Credit Hours: 3
- BSC 1005 - Biological Principles Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
1 Courses taken at Florida College System institutions may substitute for select courses with the permission of the department.
- EDF 2130 - Child and Adolescent Development for Educators Credit Hours: 3 1
- EEC 2732 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 3 Elective (Prefer course from Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1) Credit Hours: 3
- Elective Credit Hours: 3
- MAE 3310 - Elementary Mathematics for Teaching I Credit Hours: 3
Sophomore Year - Summer
- Satisfaction of the GKT is required for admission to the program and thus must be completed prior to the Junior Year. Refer to http://www.fldoe.org for test dates and sites.
Junior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
Refer to http://www.fldoe.org for test dates and sites.
- EEC 3700 - Social and Emotional Development of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4661 - Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice: Credit Hours: 3
- EEX 4751 - Parent Involvement in Education Credit Hours: 3
- TSL 4080 - Theory and Practice of Teaching ESOL Students in Schools Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4268 - Curriculum Activities in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
- EEC 4604 - Classroom Management and Guidance of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4207 - Assessment and Evaluation of Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- TSL 4240 - Issues in Second Language Acquisition Credit Hours: 3
- EEX 3450 - Young Children With Special Needs Credit Hours: 3
- RED 3310 - Early Reading, Writing and Language Arts Credit Hours: 3
Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
- EEC 4303 - Planning Creative Activities in Early Childhood Education Credit Hours: 3
- RED 3012 - Basic Foundations of Reading Credit Hours: 3
- Please note: Passing scores on the Professional Education Test (PEd) are required prior to entry into students’ seminar semester (MAE 4300, SCE 4304, RED 4311, EEC 4235C).
Senior Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
- MAE 4300 - Math Curriculum and Assessment in Early Childhood Credit Hours: 3
- SCE 4304 - Teaching Science and Technology to Young Children Credit Hours: 3
- RED 4311 - Primary Reading, Writing, and Language Arts Curriculum and Assessment Credit Hours: 3
- EEC 4235C - Early Childhood Education Seminar: Bridging Theory to Practice Credit Hours: 3
Senior Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
Please note: Passing scores on the PreKindergarten/Primary Subject Area Exam are required prior to entry into student teaching.
- EEC 4943 - Student Teaching Credit Hours: 12
