BSEDE - Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Elementary and Special Education

The Bachelor of Science in Education with dual majors in Elementary and Special Education prepares candidates for a prekindergarten through 5th grade (P-5) teaching career and certification in both fields. Working in a dynamic cohort model, teacher candidates learn to teach through practice-based coursework, extensive field-based learning in P-5 classrooms, community-based experiences, and the development of research-based and responsive teaching practices. Dedicated faculty engage teacher candidates in service-learning, undergraduate research, grant work, and professional presentations.

Admission to the Elementary and Special Education Program 
Prior to enrolling in the semester that begins the teacher candidate’s professional education sequence of courses, students are required to be admitted to the Elementary and Special Education Program. Applications for admission are due in March prior to the Junior Year, Fall Semester. Admission is competitive in nature and prospective teacher candidates must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher upon admission. 

• Complete the core curriculum, or have a clear path to program completion. 

• Complete all Field of Study/Prerequisites with grades of a C or better.

• Submit three acceptable Teacher Candidate Disposition Evaluations, with at least one being from be from an EDUC course instructor.

 Once admitted and prior to the program start, students must qualify for a pre-service teaching certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). To qualify for a pre-service certificate, students must: 

• Submit a notarized Verification of Lawful Presence Form. 

• Pass a criminal background check (conducted by the GaPSC). 

• Successfully complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (Test 360). 

• Submit proof of liability insurance. 

 Continuation in the Elementary and Special Education Program
Once admitted to the Elementary and Special Education Program, teacher candidates must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 and earn a  grade of “C” or higher in all professional education and content area courses. Throughout the program, faculty monitor and support candidates’ progression of knowledge, skills, and dispositions to ensure that candidates meet high standards of teaching.

 Graduation Requirements

• Overall grade point average of 2.5. 

• Successfully complete of all education and content area courses in the major with a grade of C or better.

• Demonstrate satisfactory performance in all clinical experiences, including the on-going demonstration of professional dispositions required of teachers as professionals.

• Attempt the GACE content assessments associated with the degree field. An “attempt” requires that assessment scores are received by the Department of Education and Teacher Preparation prior to program completion.

 Certification
In addition to the above graduation requirements, the Georgia Professional Standards has additional requirements for the certification of teachers in Georgia. For more information, please see the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's website (www.gapsc.com) or contact the Department of Education and Teacher Preparation.