Earn your bachelor's degree to teach students in preschool and grades K-3

SPC is re-launching its Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) Bachelor of Science Degree to help fill the need for qualified teachers in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs and grades K-3.

As additional elementary schools are enrolling children as early as three years of age, more skilled teachers are required that understand how to meet the developmental needs of young children. There is a high demand for teachers who specialize in early childhood education to fill that void in the public school system.

This degree prepares students to teach ages 3 through grade 3 and allows graduates to earn teacher certification in PreK/Primary as well as endorsements in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Reading.

This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2022 Employment

34,270

2032

40,330

Percent Change

18

Projected Job Openings

4310

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Salary Data

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average

Florida Average

Projected employment for Florida

2022 Employment

72,700

2032

79,890

Percent Change

10

Projected Job Openings

6120

Skills you learn in SPC's Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) B.S. Degree

  • Creation of safe, inclusive classroom environments to support learners across academic and developmental domains
  • Collaboration with parents/guardians, peers, administrators, and community members to support young children's learning
  • Using a variety of data to make decisions to improve student learning
  • Applying developmentally appropriate, multidimensional instruction

Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) with Infused ESOL and Reading Endorsements Bachelor of Science

PKPED-BS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Spring 2024 (630)

The requirements shown below are valid beginning Spring 2024 (630), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.

Program Summary

The Bachelor of Science in Pre-kindergarten/Primary Education (PKPED-BS) prepares students to teach ages 3 through grade 3 and allows graduates to earn an endorsement in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Reading. 

Graduation Requirements

GPA:

A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for graduation; a grade of "C" or higher is required in all courses.

GENERAL EDUCATION: All students must complete the 36 credit general education requirement in order to graduate from this program. A.S. degree holders may need to complete an additional 15-21 general education credits to complete the thirty-six (36) credit hour general education requirement.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY:

Six credits with an international or diversity focus. This requirement may have been satisfied in the first 60 semester hours.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE:

If you have not completed two consecutive years of the same foreign language in high school or 8 credits in college, you will need to complete 8 credits of foreign language before completing the B.S. program.



CIVIC LITERACY:

As per Florida Rule 6A-10.04213, baccalaureate degree students entering a Florida College System (FCS) or State University System (SUS) institution in the 2021-2022 academic school year and thereafter must demonstrate competency through successful completion of a civic literacy course AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Examination (FCLE).

Academic Pathways

The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:
  • the recommended order in which to take the program courses
  • suggested course when more than one option exists
  • which semester each course is typically offered
  • if the course has a prerequisite
  • courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
VIEW THE RECOMMENDED ACADEMIC PATHWAY

Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.

Program Leadership Information

Dr. Heather Duncan
Associate Dean, College of Education
brace.heather@spcollege.edu

Florida CIP Code

1101312101 - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Federal CIP Code

13.1210 - Early Childhood Education and Teaching.

Earn your A.A. and bachelor's degrees at SPC

SPC's Pre-Kindergarten Primary Education A.A. Transfer Plan transfers to our Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3) Bachelor of Science Degree.

associate to bachelor's image

Admission to the Prekindergarten Primary Education B.S. Degree

Download Program Admission Guide