Online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education B.A.E. program is an interdisciplinary teacher education program that equips future educators to work with children from age three through grade 3 and their families. The program meets all Florida Department of Education (FDOE) requirements for teacher certification, ensuring graduates are fully prepared to enter the classroom.
Scholarship and Funding Opportunities
Unique opportunities are available to support education professionals seeking to earn their Early Childhood Education degree. We encourage you to explore the following avenues for tuition and resource support.
- TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship: Individuals working in early learning and childcare programs can apply for this scholarship.
- Para to Teacher Support Program: The Para to Teacher Support Program provides support for Florida paraprofessionals who are currently working in Florida’s public schools to earn a degree in special education, deaf education, or visual disabilities.
Program Highlights
By integrating the knowledge bases of early childhood education, special education and educational psychology, this program prepares educators with the skills, knowledge and dispositions to support the learning and development of young children with and without disabilities, and from socio-culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
This four-year program’s emphasis on evidence-based and developmentally appropriate teaching practices, combined with its highly-intentional connections between course content and field experiences, are designed to provide students rich understanding of the research-to-practice foundations of early education.
Students who complete this program are eligible for:
- Professional certification in Prekindergarten/Primary (age 3 to grade three)
- Endorsements in:
- Prekindergarten Disabilities
- Reading
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- The goal of this program is to prepare early childhood educators to provide for the education and care of a diverse group of children in inclusive early childhood program
Program Curriculum
- Semester 1: 15 credit hours
EDF 3122 The Young Child (3 credit hours)
EEC 3404 Family, Diversity, and Multicultural Issues (3 credit hours)
EEC 4252 Inclusive EC Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment (3 credit hours)
EEC 3213 Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood (3 credit hours)
EEC 3941 Practicum (3 credit hours) - Semester 2: 12 credit hours
EEC 3404 Family, Diversity, and Multicultural Issues (3 credit hours)
EEC 4252 Inclusive EC Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment (3 credit hours)
EEC 3213 Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood (3 credit hours)
EEC 3941 Practicum (3 credit hours) - Semester 3: 15 credit hours
RED 3309 Emergent Literacy Beginning Reading Instruction (3 credit hours)
TSL 4324 ESOL Strategies for Content Teachers (3 credit hours)
EEC 3421 Early Childhood Math, Science, and Technology (3 credit hours)
EEC 3941 Practicum (3 credit hours) - Semester 4: 12 credit hours
EEX 4294 Differentiated Instruction (3 credit hours)
EEC 4247 Integrated Humanities, Social Studies, and the Arts (3 credit hours)
EEC 4942 Practicum in Early Literacy (3 credit hours)
EEC 4945 Internship in Early Childhood (3 credit hours)
Total: 54 credit hours
Program Highlights
Entry: Fall
Typical Course Load: 12 credits per semester
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time or Part-time
Average Class Size: 15-20
Application Deadline: See dates published by UF Online
Program Completion: ~4 years