Early Childhood Education

Bachelor of Arts Degree Program

College of Education

University of South Carolina

www.ed.sc.edu/ite

Revised 09 August 2010

This program is designed for undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina who are interested in a career as an early childhood teacher, serving children birth through age 8. Students who successfully complete the degree requirements and have a positive recommendation by the faculty will be recommended for teacher certification for pre-kindergarten through grade 3.

Student Responsibility

The College of Education faculty and staff work diligently to provide students all of the information that is necessary to complete its undergraduate programs in a successful and timely manner. However, it is the student's responsibility to thoroughly read all of the information available in handouts, on the College's web site, and in the USC On-line Bulletin. Likewise it is the student's responsibility to maintain accurate and current address, phone and e-mail information both with the Office of Student Affairs in the College of Education, and with the USC Registrar's office.

Any exceptions to the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements in the early childhood program must be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Affairs, and until and unless a student has received a written response in the affirmative, the exception does not exist.

South Carolina Teacher Loan Program (TLP)

Under the current guidelines, you may be eligible to apply for the TLP during the four years of your baccalaureate degree program in the College of Education. Please be advised that you must take and pass all three sections of the Praxis I, SAT, or ACT testing requirement for eligibility. Students are advised to take the Praxis I in their first semester of enrollment for earliest consideration, if the SAT or ACT requirement is not met.  For more information: SC Student Loan Corporation

Electives and University Placement Tests

Incoming freshmen at USC are required to take placement tests in math and in a foreign language. The results of those tests determine specific placement in courses in those two areas. Some students who do not score well in math may find that they are required to enroll in a basic college math course, MATH 111. Accordingly, such students should expect that any courses required by placements tests are in addition to those in the early childhood degree program. With careful planning, students are able to use such a course as fulfilling three of the six elective hours in the program.

Likewise students scoring lower than a two on the foreign language placement test are required to satisfactorily complete equivalent study of foreign language at USC. If required to enroll in foreign language courses, students should be aware that these hours are in addition to the early childhood degree requirements. With careful planning, the foreign language courses may be used as electives.

Admission/Progression Requirements & Typical Program

Curriculum

Early Childhood Program -of Study Planning Sheet