Elementary Education, BS (See 2022-2023 Catalog Addendum for Updates)

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education prepares students to teach all subject areas for grades K-6. Students will learn to facilitate lessons that integrate math and science, literature, fine arts, language arts, and social sciences, health, music, and movement.  Courses focus on teaching students with English as a second language, teaching students with exceptionalities, reading competency, classroom management, assessment, and integrated approaches to teaching methodologies at the elementary school level. 

Field Experience Requirements are progressive, building upon previous semester experiences. Students will observe teachers in the field, teach lessons through the practicum courses, and complete a full-time teaching internship in their final semester.   The BS is a state-approved program that culminates with students being eligible to apply for K-6 certification with both Reading and ESOL endorsements. 

Admission Requirements:

In addition to fulfilling the entrance requirements for Florida SouthWestern State College, applicants for the BS in Elementary Education degree program must meet the following requirements consistent with Florida Statute 1004.04:

1. Applicants must have earned:

An Associate in Arts (AA) degree with a minimum of 60 credit hours from any college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association.

OR

A minimum of 60 credit hours from any regionally accredited college or university with all state of Florida general education requirements met.

2. Completion of  EDF 2005 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession  with a grade of “C” or better.
3. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

*Florida SouthWestern State College reserves the right to deny common course number credit for courses in which practicum or internship components reside. 

*Applicants not meeting stated admission criteria may petition for program admittance if they feel there are mitigating circumstances. Applicants must submit an official petition form to the School of Education (forms are available online at http://www.fsw.edu/soe/forms).

Priority Application Deadlines:

Fall term - August 1; Spring term - December 1; Summer term - April 1

Requirements to Enroll in Upper Division Courses:

1. Upon admission to the BS program, students must attend a mandatory orientation session prior to enrollment in upper division (3000 and 4000 level) courses.
2. Students must complete ENC 1101 - Composition I , ENC 1102 - Composition II  and one general education math course prior to enrollment in any upper division courses.
3. Lower Division Program Requirements must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better.
4. Cross-enrollment approval: Baccalaureate degree seeking students must obtain prior approval to cross enroll (as a transient student) in courses intended to fulfill baccalaureate program requirements.  Approval will be determined by the appropriate dean in collaboration with program faculty.  Students initiate this process using www.floridashines.org/.
5. Students who have not fulfilled the State of Florida General Education Core requirements must complete them. Students who transfer to Florida SouthWestern State College with a previous Associate in Arts degree from a Florida community college or Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have met the General Education component of the degree.
6. Students who have previously earned an Associate in Arts or a Baccalaureate degree from a college or university outside the State of Florida will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine which courses will meet the 36-hour General Education Requirements. Students must have earned equivalent credit hours in each General Education category.
7. To be eligible to enroll in EDE 4940  - Internship in Elementary Education, students must have passed all sections of the General Knowledge Test, the Professional Educator’s Exam and the Subject Area Exam; and have attempted the Professional Educator’s Exam and the Subject Area Exam.
8. Prior to entering any school to complete an internship, practicum, or field service hours, students must be fingerprinted and screened by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI.

Academic Policies

1. In addition to adherence to the Florida SouthWestern State College Student Code of Conduct, policies, and procedures, teacher candidates must adhere to disposition policies, unit policies, and procedures as published in the School of Education Handbook.
2. While Florida SouthWestern State College governs a student’s program requirements, changes to a program emanating from the Florida State Board of Education will take precedence over the College catalog and may alter a student’s program of study.
3. Students who have been fully admitted to the Elementary Education, BS program, but do not enroll in at least one course for three consecutive semesters are required to apply for readmission to the program. Upon readmission, students are governed by the catalog requirements of the readmission year. 
4. Students with special circumstances preventing them from being readmitted to the program may make an appeal to the Dean of the School of Education for their enrollment to be reactivated. Reactivation appeals must include a letter justifying the request, a letter of support from a faculty member, and any documentation that supports the student’s appeal. Reactivated students will be governed by the catalog in place during the year in which they were first admitted to the program.

Graduation Requirements

1. Students must satisfactorily complete 120 credit hours to be eligible for graduation. For residency purposes, a minimum of 15 baccalaureate (3000 or 4000 level) program credit hours required for graduation must be completed at Florida SouthWestern State College. All other specific degree requirements must also be met. Credit awarded for Developmental Studies instruction may not be applied toward the total number of credits required for residency purposes or graduation.
2. Students must complete the State of Florida General Education Core Requirements, including any assessment of General Education outcomes that are required by the College. Transfer courses will be reviewed for equivalency. Students who transfer to Florida SouthWestern State College with a previous Associate in Arts degree from a Florida College or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution are considered to have met the General Education component of the degree.
3. The Civic Literacy Competency Requirement may be met by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Exam and by successfully passing a civic literacy course.
4. The Foreign Language Competency Requirement may be met by:
   • 2 years of the same High School Foreign Language, or
   • Documented foreign language proficiency through testing (for example, CLEP), or
   • 2 semesters of the same College Level Foreign Language (Level II proficiency),
5. Students must fulfill all required competencies, standards, skills, and dispositions within the Bachelor of Science in Education Program and may be required to submit additional documentation to support completion requirements. 25% of the 120 credits for the degree must be earned at FSW.
6. Students must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
7. The Florida State Board of Education requires all education students to demonstrate competency in all of the revised Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs), Florida Subject Area Competencies (FSAC), and Professional Educator Competencies and Skills (PECS) as a condition of graduation, including completion of a professional portfolio. Elementary and Middle Grades Language Arts students must demonstrate achievement of all State required ESOL Competencies and Performance Standards and Reading competencies as a condition of graduation.
8. Students must pass all required sections of the Florida Teachers Certification Examinations (FTCE) for certification within the State of Florida.
9. Following graduation, students must apply to the FLDOE for their teaching license.
10. Students must indicate their intention to attend commencement ceremony by completing the Commencement Form by the published deadline.

Course Prerequisites

Many courses require prerequisites. Check the description of each course in the list below for prerequisites, minimum grade requirements, and other restrictions. Students must complete all prerequisites for a course prior to registering for it.