The unified early childhood ProTeach program prepares students to teach at the preschool and pre-kindergarten level through third grade. The program unifies early childhood education and early childhood special education.

Students who successfully complete this five-year program will be recommended for certifications in both preschool education (birth - age 4) and pre-kindergarten/primary (age 3 - grade 3) with endorsements in pre-kindergarten disabilities and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).

The professional choices for graduates include directing preschools and Head Start programs, teaching in the primary grades, and providing early intervention in home, community, and medical settings.

Fifth-Year Requirement

Students must complete the fifth year requirement as a graduate student earning a Master of Education or as a postbaccalaureate student.

Passing scores on appropriate portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) will be required before program completion.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• 21 ACT with writing or 1010 SAT Reading plus Math (minimum 440  reading & writing and 440 math)
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• Complete 1 of 3 critical-tracking courses: EDF 1005 or EDF 2085 or EME 2040
• 2.3 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course
• 2.6 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete coursework with minimum grades of C
• Complete all 3 critical-tracking courses with a 3.0 critical-tracking GPA
• 2.6 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Document passing general knowledge test scores from the FTCE (see audit and/or advisor to determine which test to take)
• Complete all General Education requirements
• Complete the university writing requirement
• Students cannot register for courses in semesters 5-8 before ProTeach admission, which is competitive and available in fall semesters only. Students should meet with the admissions coordinator in G416 Norman Hall to complete an application in February.
• 3.0 upper-division GPA required
• 2.6 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• 3.0 upper-division GPA

Semester 7

• 3.0 upper-division GPA

Semester 8

• 3.0 upper-division GPA

For electives, students are encouraged to choose courses that will strengthen their knowledge of the content areas of literature, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Passing score on all subtests of the FTCE subject area exam in preschool education (birth-age 4) required for completion of the bachelor's degree.

Certification

During the fifth year, students complete a dual certification and dual endorsement track, 36-credit master's degree program or a 27-credit postbaccalaureate program.

Program completion confers recommendation for:

• Preschool Education (birth-age 4) Certification
• Pre-K/Primary (age 3-grade 3) Certification
• ESOL Endorsement
• Pre-K Disabilities Endorsement

This degree is the first step of a two-step process that prepares students for certification to teach Preschool Education (birth - age 4) in the state of Florida. The second step requires completion of the Master of Education degree in prekindergarten education (age 3 - grade 3). The undergraduate program develops the foundation knowledge and skills for effective planning, teaching and evaluating young children’s learning and development.

Before Graduating Students Must

• Pass the General Knowledge Test and the Preschool Education Subject Area Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.
• Demonstrate mastery of effective teaching practices by meeting Florida Educator Accomplished Practices 1-6, as determined by multiple instructors across the program.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

1. Demonstrate competency for children, birth to age 4, in child development, contemporary research in early childhood, cultural and linguistic diversity, strategies for engaging families, developmentally appropriate instructional practices, special services for children, screening and assessment, safety and mental and physical health.
2. Create, select and implement specific learning goals, appropriate teaching methods and instructional materials and evaluation strategies aligned with goals, using knowledge of children and developmentally appropriate practices.

Critical Thinking

3. Critically evaluate your own instructional effectiveness to plan future lessons and improve your teaching of all students over time.

Communication

4. Effectively communicate with students, including students whose home language is not standard English, as well as parents and other school personnel.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types

• UFLI project
• Pre-internship evaluation
• The Florida Teaching Certification (FTCE) General Knowledge and Preschool Education examination