Early Childhood Education, B.S.

Program Overview

The bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at Santa Fe College is designed to prepare students to be educators working with children from birth through age four. The program is designed for students with a two year degree, either an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education. The program adheres to the state's common course prerequisites and curriculum framework.

All Bachelor of Science degree-seeking students must complete the same basic requirements as traditional baccalaureate students and demonstration of foreign language competence. Students are required to consult with an academic advisor when applying for admission.

Fulfill the demand for competent and effective education professionals in the Alachua and Bradford communities through innovation, expansion, and enhancement of SF's Education Programs.

A.A. Path

Completion of an Associate in Arts degree and the prerequisite course EDF1005: Introduction to Education with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.

In addition to upper level course work, students will complete 18 credit hours of lower-level early childhood education coursework when they begin the B.S. program.

A.S. Path

Completion of an Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education, including the prerequisite course, EDF 1005: Introduction to Education, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.

In addition to upper level coursework, students will complete additional General Education coursework.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the B.S. in Early Childhood Education program:

  1. Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA.
  2. Complete EDF1005 with a grade of 'C' or higher.
  3. Completed an Associate in Arts degree or an Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education.
  4. Complete the program application and 500 word personal statement (Personal statement instructions noted on the application).

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date.

See Application Dates and Deadlines.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Upper Division Coursework Tuition

Florida Residents:

  • 39 Credit Hours x $126.33 per credit hour
  • Total $4,926.87

Non-Florida Residents:

  • 39 Credit Hours x $428.83 per credit hour
  • Total $16,724.37

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

  • Create and implement developmentally appropriate activities and environments that promote opportunities to think.
  • Implement an integrated assessment system that promotes positive child outcomes.
  • Analyze developmentally and culturally appropriate curricula and practices that will facilitate all areas of development in young children.
  • Collect and analyze data relevant to the emotional and social development in young children for the purpose of implementing intervention goals and strategies.
  • Apply anti-biased education practices when working with children and families.

All upper-division courses are offered once per academic year as full-semester courses. Courses are offered as either hybrid or online. The program can be completed in five (5) semesters if enrolled as a full-time student.

Upper-Division Courses

  • EEC3213 Language Development and Literacy (3 credit hours)
  • EEC3243 Art, Music, and Movement (3 credit hours)
  • EEC3511 Infant and Toddler Curriculum (3 credit hours)
  • EEC3524 Professionalism and Program Development (3 credit hours)
  • EEC3940 Internship Experience I (3 credit hours)
  • EEC4404 Families, Diversity, and Multicultural Considerations (3 credit hours)
  • EEC4421 Math and Science for Young Children (3 credit hours)
  • EEC4613 Systematic Assessment in Early Learning Programs (4 credit hours)
  • EEC4712 Social and Emotional Development of Young Children (4 credit hours)
  • EEC4940 Internship Experience II (3 credit hours)
  • EEX3603 Positive Discipline and Guidance (4 credit hours)
  • EEX4401 Meeting the Needs of Young Children with Special Needs (3 credit hours)

After successfully completing the program, the students will be able to perform the following:

  • Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
  • Understand individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
  • Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
  • Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and create learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
  • Understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
  • Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher's and learner's decision making.
  • Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
  • Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)
  Off-Campus* Off-Campus with Parent**

Tuition and Fees

In-State: $106.77 per credit
Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit

In-State: $2,563

Out-Of-State: $9,190

In-State: $2,563

Out-Of-State: $9,190

Books, Course Materials,
Supplies, and Equipment

$783 $783
Living Expenses
(Food & Housing)
$10,367 $3,654
Miscellaneous
Personal Expenses
$2,394 $2,394
Transportation $1,197 $3,942
Total

In-State: $17,304

Out-Of-State: $23,931

In-State: $13,336

Out-Of-State: $19,963

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor's Degree Courses)
  Off-Campus* Off-Campus with Parent**

Tuition and Fees

In-State: $126.33 per credit
Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit

In-State: $3,032

Out-Of-State: $10,292

In-State: $3,032

Out-Of-State: $10,292

Books, Course Materials,
Supplies, and Equipment
$783 $783
Living Expenses
(Food & Housing)
$10,367 $3,654
Miscellaneous
Personal Expenses
$2,394 $2,394
Transportation $1,197 $3,942
Total

In-State: $17,773

Out-Of-State: $25,033

In-State: $13,805

Out-Of-State: $21,065

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off-campus but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s) or other relatives.

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information, visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.

Want more info?