Undergraduate Programs Major: Birth through 5 Emphasis

 

The new Birth through 5 emphasis is a joint program between the Department of Child and Family Development and the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education. Through this emphasis students complete specialized coursework that prepares them to work with children with and without disabilities from birth through age five in a variety of settings, including those that require Birth through 5 teacher certification. This includes positions such as PreK and Kindergarten teachers in Georgia public and private schools, preschool special educators, early intervention professionals, preschool teachers and administrators, and family engagement specialists.

Upon completion, students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. Your major will be listed as Child and Family Development, with an emphasis in Birth through 5. Graduates of this program are eligible to seek the new teaching certificate in birth through five and preschool special education from the State of Georgia. This certification is based on both Division of Early Childhood/Council for Exceptional Children (DEC) and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards.

Requirements for Admission:

• Advisor approval
• Complete a minimum of 40 credit hours from Core Areas A, C, D, E and F. Completion of any Area F courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher.
• Passing score or exemption on GACE Basic Skills.
• Overall and cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher GPA in selected courses*.
• A one-page summary of the student's experience working with children birth-5, including the total number of hours worked.

Because of limited availability of community practicum placement sites, no more than a total of 30 students from the Department of Child and Family Development and the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education combined will be accepted per year for this emphasis. Acceptance decisions will be weighted using a formula of 75% for GPA in selected courses* and 25% for the one-page summary.

*courses used in this criterion are ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102/1102M, MATH 1101 or higher, CHFD 2950-2950L, and SPED 2000.

Deadline for Fall 2008 Admission

Visit http://www.uga.edu/0-5 for general information on the joint Birth through 5 emphasis.

For further information, contact Valerie Cown .

A limited number of fellowships and out-of state tuition stipends for eligible candidates are available through the Responsive Early Education for Diversity (REED) federal grant project. Students interested in the project REED must apply for it separately.