The Unified Elementary/Special Education program includes professional methods courses, clinical experiences and a fifth year specialization in elementary or special education, in addition to the professional education curriculum.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan
The professional education curriculum incorporates important topics in special education, classroom management, inclusive classroom settings, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), reading and other related issues.
Graduates of the unified elementary/special education ProTeach program will be able to create and maintain supportive and productive classrooms for diverse student populations. These teachers also will be prepared to work collaboratively with school personnel, families, and members of the community to develop alternative ways to educate all students.
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.
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Critical Tracking
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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 1450 SAT (minimum 1010 on critical reading and math; minimum 440 each on three sections: critical reading, math and writing)
- 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 series (see audit and/or advisor to determine which test to take)
- Complete all General Education requirements
- Complete the university writing requirement
- Complete a total of 9 credits of international/diversity
- Students cannot register for courses in semesters 5-8 before ProTeach admission, which is competitive in fall and spring semesters only. Students should meet in February with the admissions coordinator in G416 Norman Hall to complete an application for fall admission or in September for spring admission.
- 3.0 upper-division GPA required semesters 5-8
- 2.6 UF GPA required
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Model Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. 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.
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.
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
| EDF 1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession |
3 |
EDF 3110 Human Growth and Development or
DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology
GE-S |
3 |
Composition
GE-C; WR-6 |
3 |
Humanities
State Core GE-H |
3 |
Mathematics
GE-M |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
EDF 2085 Introduction to Diversity for Educators
GE-S and D |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science
GE-B or P |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective with international or diversity content (GE-N or D) or
Foreign language |
3 |
Elective with writing content
WR-6 |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| EME 2040 Introduction to Technology for Educators |
3 |
Biological or Physical Science (GE-B, GE-P) or
Humanities (GE-H) or
Social Science (GE-S) |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective with international content
GE-N |
3 |
Elective with writing content
WR-6 |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| EDF 3115 Child Development for Inclusive Education |
3 |
| EEX 3070 Teachers and Learners in the Inclusive School |
3 |
| LAE 3005 Children's Literature |
3 |
| MAE 3312 Content and Methods for Teaching Mathematics Process |
3 |
| SDS 3430 Family and Community Involvement in Education |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
EDF 3514 History of Education
Or other approved social science course |
3 |
| EEX 3257 Core Teaching Strategies |
3 |
| EEX 3616 Core Classroom Management Strategies |
3 |
| LAE 4314 Language Arts for Diverse Learners |
3 |
| RED 3307 Teaching Reading in Primary Grades |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
ARE 4314 Art for Elementary Schools or
MUE 3210 Music for the Elementary Child |
2 |
| EME 4401 Integrating Technology in the Elementary Curriculum |
3 |
| MAE 4310 Teaching Mathematics in the Inclusive Elementary School |
3 |
| RED 4324 Reading in the Intermediate Grades |
3 |
| SCE 4113L Elementary Science content |
3 |
| TSL 3520 ESOL Foundations: Language and Culture in Classrooms |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| EDG 4930 Integrated Teaching in Elementary Education |
2 |
| EEX 4905 Teaching Seminar |
2 |
| SCE 4310 Elementary Science Methods for the Inclusive Classroom |
3 |
| SSE 4312 Social Studies for Diverse Learners |
3 |
| TSL 4100 ESOL Curriculum, Methods and Assessment |
3 |
| Total |
13 |
Passing score on all subtests of the FTCE subject area exam in elementary education (K-6) required for completion of the bachelor's degree.
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Certification Options
During the fifth year, students may select from two certification tracks:
Dual-Certification Track: 36-credit master's degree program or 30-credit postbaccalaureate program
- Confers recommendation for certifications in elementary (grades K-6) and exceptional student education (ESE K-12) with endorsements in ESOL and reading
Single-Certification Track: 36-credit master's degree program or 21-credit postbaccalaureate program
- Confers recommendation for certification in elementary (grades K-6) with endorsements in ESOL and reading
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Related Teaching Programs
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