Early Childhood Development and Education (BS)

Program Overview

The Early Childhood Development program prepares students to work with young children, parents, and families in various settings. It covers child development, education theory, classroom management, and assessment. Students complete a semester-long practicum and meet specific GPA and assignment requirements to demonstrate proficiency in Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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.

Outline:

• Freshman Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
• EDF 2085 - Introduction to Diversity for Educators (3 Credit Hours)
• ENC 1101 - Composition I (3 Credit Hours)
• MGF 1106 - Finite Mathematics (3 Credit Hours)
• PSY 2012 - General Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
• Freshman Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
• ENC 1102 - Composition II (3 Credit Hours)
• SYG 2010 - Social Problems (3 Credit Hours)
• PSC 1121 - Physical Science (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 2732 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children (3 Credit Hours)
• Select One: (3 Credit Hours)
• MUL 2010 - Enjoyment of Music (3 Credit Hours)
• PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy (3 Credit Hours)
• THE 2000 - Theatre Survey (3 Credit Hours)
• Freshman Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
• ARE 2000 - Early Childhood Art and Creativity (3 Credit Hours)
• MUE 2211 - Early Childhood Music and Movement (3 Credit Hours)
• Sophomore Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
• SPC 1608 - Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3 Credit Hours)
• BSC 1005 - Biological Principles (3 Credit Hours)
• Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1 elective (3 Credit Hours)
• Restricted Elective with Advisor approval (3 Credit Hours)
• STA 2014 - Principles of Statistics (3 Credit Hours)
• Sophomore Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
• POS 2041 - American National Government (3 Credit Hours)
• Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 3 Elective (Prefer course from Cultural & Historical Foundation, Area 1) (3 Credit Hours)
• Restricted Elective with Advisor approval (3 Credit Hours)
• Select One: (3 Credit Hours)
• EDF 2130 - Child and Adolescent Development for Educators (3 Credit Hours)
• SOW 3104 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 Credit Hours)
• Junior Year - Fall (15 Credit Hours)
• EEC 3700 - Social and Emotional Development of Young Children (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4661 - Early Childhood Education Theory and Practice (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 3613 - Observation and Assessment of Young Children (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 3214 - Child Development (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 3008 - Early Childhood Children's Literature (3 Credit Hours)
• Junior Year - Spring (15 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4604 - Classroom Management and Guidance of Young Children (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4402 - Cultural and Family Systems (3 Credit Hours)
• EEX 3450 - Young Children With Special Needs (3 Credit Hours)
• RED 3310 - Early Reading, Writing and Language Arts (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4414 - Parent-Child Relations (3 Credit Hours)
• Junior Year - Summer (6 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4303 - Planning Creative Activities in Early Childhood Education (3 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4528 - Infant/Toddler Care and Education (3 Credit Hours)
• Senior Year - Fall (12 Credit Hours)
• PET 4050C - Motor Development and Learning (3 Credit Hours)
• Select Three Early Childhood Development Track Electives (9 Credit Hours)
• Senior Year - Spring (12 Credit Hours)
• EEC 4940 - Practicum: Early Childhood Development (12 Credit Hours)

Assessment:

• Students must earn a "C" (2.0) or better in each required Early Childhood Development and Education course.
• A minimum overall 2.75 GPA in all courses within the major is required.
• 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).

Other:

• The courses designated in 1.
(General Education) and 2. (Prerequisites) should be completed prior to admission to the major and upper division education courses.
• In addition to EDF 2085, 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.
• Courses taken at Florida College System institutions may substitute for select courses in prerequisites with the permission of the department.
• Program Academic Learning Compacts (student learning outcomes) for undergraduate programs are located at: http://www.oeas.ucf.edu/alc/academic_learning_compacts.htm