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Additional Teacher Education information is found in section 1600 Educator Preparation .
The B.S.E. major in Birth Through Five prepares teachers and other early care and education professionals to work in varied settings with young children and their families from infancy through Kindergarten age, including children who are typically developing and those with disabilities.
The program reflects national and state standards, research and best practice in the field of early childhood development and education and teacher education. Candidates receive content and pedagogy in developmentally and individually appropriate practices for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and Kindergarten-age children. The program provides a multidisciplinary, comprehensive and holistic approach to working with young children and families in diverse settings.
Field-based experiences are structured to provide candidates with opportunities to work with different ages and children of varying ability levels and educational needs. A broad range of courses and practicum will strengthen candidates’ knowledge and ability to select and implement appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies, developmental activities and care routines, and observation and assessment methods.
The program offers two concentrations: 1) teacher certification and 2) non-certification.
Successful completion of the teacher certification concentration leads to a baccalaureate degree along with recommendation for Birth Through Kindergarten licensure. Candidates completing the Birth through Five preparation teacher certification concentration program may be recommended for certification in both Birth through Kindergarten as well as the Endorsement in Pre-School Special Education (3-5).
Students in the non-certification concentration are not eligible to be recommended for certification and receive the Pre-School Special Education Endorsement.
Program Admission
Students are required to meet all University and College admission requirements. In addition, students must apply for admission prior to beginning coursework in the upper division core, Area G of the program.
To apply for the teacher certification concentration:
- Students must have a minimum 2.75 overall grade point average on all postsecondary coursework previously completed;
- Students must present passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or demonstrate an exemption upon application to an initial educator preparation program.
- Students must complete the Georgia Educators Ethics Assessment (360).
- Students must have successfully completed all courses in Areas A-F.
- Students must have successfully completed all required courses in Areas A and F with a grade of “C” or higher, or have transferred in approved Area A-F courses as outlined in approved USG-DTAE Articulation Agreements; and
- Students must submit proof of tort liability insurance.
To apply for the non-certification concentration:
- Students must have a minimum 2.75 overall grade point average on all postsecondary coursework previously completed;
- Students must have successfully completed all courses in Areas A-F.
- Students must have successfully completed all required courses in Areas A and F with a grade of “C” or higher, or have transferred in approved Area A-F courses as outlined in approved USG-DTAE Articulation Agreements; and
- Students must submit proof of tort liability insurance.
The Technical College System of Georgia Articulation Agreements and the Birth through Five program handbook can be found on the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education website.
Program Financial Information
Birth Through Five majors must pay all tuition and fees charged by the University and the College. A $125.00 lab fee may be charged at the time students register for the student teaching experience.
Educator preparation students must be aware that extra cost such as tort liability insurance, criminal background check, and transportation will be incurred at various times during the completion of various teacher education field experiences.
Program Academic Regulations
Program of Study: Students must complete 42 semester hours in Areas A-E of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum. Courses in Area A must be completed with “C” or higher grades. All courses listed below in Areas F-G must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher unless otherwise noted. Semester hours are shown in parentheses following an entry.
B.S.E. students are required to meet the Georgia 2006 Technology Proficiency Requirement. Students enrolled in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Teacher Education Programs at Georgia State University will complete this graduation and certification requirement by demonstrating competency on designated assignments embedded in the program of study.
Pre-Service Certificate: Upon admission to the teacher certification concentration, students will be contacted by the Office of Field Placements and Certification with instructions to claim enrollment in their program and submit a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate Application. The pre-service certificate is required for placement in required field experiences or clinical practice.
Certification: Students in the teacher certification concentration must post passing scores on the GACE Content Assessment and Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360) in order to be recommended by Georgia State University for clear, renewable certification. Students in the non-certification concentration are not eligible to be recommended for certification.
For Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) certification requirements, students must earn a grade of “B” or higher in EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities.
Areas A-F Articulation Agreement for USG - DTAE Institutions
Graduates from Early Childhood Care and Education degree programs from COC accredited Technical College System of Georgia institutions will have satisfied the requirements for all six courses in the USG Area F for the BSED in Birth-Age 5 Teacher Preparation Program.
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