An Elementary Education program that works best for working adults.
The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education equips future educators to design and implement classroom experiences for all K-6 learners. Graduates of the program are eligible for professional certification in Elementary Education (grades K-6), with endorsements in Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).Upcoming Term Start Dates
1/7/2025
Top Reasons
Clinical Experiences
Supervised clinical experiences are embedded throughout the program. These experiences are intentionally diverse, spanning different grade levels and school environments each semester.
On-Campus Lab Schools
You'll have ample opportunities to collaborate with teachers and students at our on-campus lab schools, the Early Childhood Learning Lab and the Roberts Academy, a school for children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
Specializations
Choices of education specializations include STEM education, social-emotional learning, and the Orton-Gillingham approach – an evidence-based reading instruction method recognized for its efficacy with students facing dyslexia and related reading challenges.
Meet Our Mocs
Jessica Gavin
Lana Allen
Victoria Salinas
Katherine Geoghegan
Featured Faculty
Brooke Veal
Clubs And More
Program Details
Admission Requirements
- Personal interview
- Academic interest inventory
- Provide official transcripts of all academic work taken previously at other colleges, universities, or professional schools.
- If fewer than 25 credit hours have been earned from a regionally accredited college or university, student should provide official high school transcript or GED scores.
- If fewer than 25 credit hours have been earned from a regionally accredited college or university, student should provide official ACT or SAT exam scores, OR as an alternative, applicants should instead submit an updated resume and elect to apply through the test-optional policy.
- Military service-connected, educational experiences may award transfer credits. Requests should be accompanied by documents describing the educational experience.
- If admitted, Polk County School Board background clearance
International Student Requirements
- Official Translated Transcripts With Course By Course Evaluation**
- Bank Letter Verifying Funds of Sponsor***
- Sponsor's Guarantee Form
- Valid Passport
- Official TOEFL/IELTS Score****
** SpanTran (discount available), Academic Evaluation Services, Inc., Josef Silny, or World Education Services or another similar approved transcript evaluation agency.
*** A bank letter is a written statement on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official.
**** Must have completed an English language training program or at least one year at an English speaking institution to waive the TOEFL/IELTS testing requirement.
Curriculum
| A. WRIGHT Foundations Requirements | 34 hours |
|---|---|
| B. Major Requirements | 68 hours |
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| EDU 1000 | Professional Preparation for Education Majors |
| EDU 1107 | Foundations of Education I |
| EDU 2200 | Field Study Level I |
| EDU 2203 | Foundations of Education II |
| EDU 2210 | Foundations in Special Education |
| EDU 2235 | Methods of Assessment |
| EDU 2240 | Foundations of Reading Instruction |
| EDU 2241 | Clinical Experience in Literacy Instruction |
| EDU 3279 | Foundations of ESOL I |
| EDU 3323 | Field Study Level II |
| EDU 3333 | Foundations of Education III |
| EDU 3339 | Instructional Methods in Elementary Mathematics |
| EDU 3343 | Literacy and Literature in the Classroom |
| EDU 3347 | Diagnostic Assessment and Instruction in Literacy |
| EDU 3370 | Differentiated Instruction of Reading |
| EDU 4400 | Field Study Level III |
| EDU 4407 | Instructional Methods in Social Studies in the Elementary School |
| EDU 4409 | Instructional Methods in Science in the Elementary School |
| EDU 4478 | Applied Linguistics – ESOL II |
| EDU 4887 | Reading Endorsement Practicum |
| EDU 4889 | Student Teacher Intern Seminar |
| EDU 4990 | Senior Internship |
| C. Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements | 12 hours |
|---|---|
| D. Electives | 2 - 10 hours |
| E. Total | 124 hours |
External Scholarships
Greenhouse Project
PCPS non-instructional employees only
This tuition-reimbursement project focuses on recruiting quality teachers by helping Polk County Public School non-instructional employees with an interest in teaching earn their education degrees.
To Apply, Contact:
Caroline Giroux – Recruitment Coordinator at PCPS
Caroline.Giroux@polk-fl.net
Minority Teacher Education Scholarship
Up to $4,000
Florida Fund for Minority Teachers offers an annual scholarship to approved Minority Teacher Education Scholars who are enrolled as upper-division undergraduate or graduate students in a teacher education program.
Program Costs
2023-2024
| Base Required Fees | Cost |
| Tuition Per Credit Hour | $340 |
| Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled | $30 to $120 |
2024-2025
| Base Required Fees | Cost |
| Tuition Per Credit Hour | $375 |
| Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled | $30 to $120 |
Additional Costs
| Additional Fees | Cost |
| Anthology Portfolio | $70 per year estimated |
| Polk County Public Schools Background Clearance | $80 estimated |
| Education Technology Fee | $180 per year estimated |
Related Materials
Do you have a financial assistance program for non-instructional employees who are employed by Polk County schools?
Florida Southern participates in the Greenhouse Program, a program created to assist Non-instructional employees of the Polk County School Board who are interested in completing their Bachelor’s Degree to go on and teach P-6, Physical Education, Exceptional Student Education, Middle School, and/or High School.
Which Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) do I need to complete?
All Elementary Education students must pass all sections on the General Knowledge Test (GKT), Professional Educator Test (PED), and Subject Area Exam (SAE) – Elementary K-6.
How long are the academic semesters?
The fall, spring, and summer semesters are 16 weeks long. However, each semester is divided into two 7-week terms (term A and term B).
Is there an internship?
Yes, there is a 70-school day internship which is completed in Polk County Public Schools during the last semester of the program and once all program requirements are met.
Is the program state-approved?
Yes, Florida Southern College’s Elementary Education program is fully approved by the Florida Department of Education.
Program Contact
Lori Rakes, Ph.D.
Dean of Education
Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair of Education
Associate Professor of Education
Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 113
863.680.4172
Brooke Veal, MATL
Director of Field Studies and Evening Education Programs
Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 106
863.680.5004
