Bachelor of Science Exceptional Student Education (ESE)

Program Description

Explore Rewarding Career Paths with the ESE Degree

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program will be eligible for Florida Elementary Teacher Certification (K-12) and endorsements in Exceptional Student Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (K-12, ESOL). With this degree, you can help meet the increasing demand for locally ESE-credentialed educators to provide educational services for children with special learning needs.

Per the National Center for Education Statistics reports, in 2019-20, 7.3 million students ages 3-21 received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The most common category of disability (33%) was specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia (a learning disability affecting reading and language-based processing skills), dyscalculia (a learning disability affecting a person’s ability to understand numbers), and dysgraphia (a learning disability affecting a person’s handwriting and fine motor skills).

What you will learn

Through this curriculum, you will learn to integrate educational theory with teaching practice to demonstrate instructional techniques appropriate for all students. You will learn about child and adolescent development, assessing students, and effective behavioral interventions while practicing classroom management techniques. This program will also ensure that graduates are capable of instructing students in kindergarten through grade six.

Career Trajectory

With a wealth of knowledge on relevant laws and policies, you can consider career paths that include diagnosing learning challenges, developing individual education plans, teaching and supervising special education students, and special education counseling.

Pathway to Admission

Deadlines to apply to the B.S. Exceptional Student Education Program

Fall Admittance:

August 1

Spring Admittance:

December 1

Summer Admittance: No applications are accepted for the Summer term.

A Mandatory Orientation is required in the first semester of coursework.

Admission requirements:

Completed Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
Prerequisite: EDF 1005, Introduction to the Teaching Profession.

Internship requirements:

The B.S. in Exceptional Student Education degree requires completing student teaching internships in Florida.
Fingerprinting and a Level-2 criminal background check are required before you may enroll in internship courses.

Graduation Requirements:

General Knowledge Test: The GKT of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam is an exit requirement. The GKT examination for those students with a master’s degree or higher would be deemed as passed and having met the GKT requirement. However, students without an advanced degree are required to pass the GKT prior to exiting the program.
Completion of all courses with a minimum grade of “C” and verification of a passing score on GKT, Subject Area and Professional Educator Exams are required prior to EEX 4995 - Final Internship: Exceptional Student Education.

Admissions Process

Current SCF Students

Log into MySCF
Under your Student tab choose “Student Quick Links”
Click on, “Apply for Admission to Limited Access and Baccalaureate Programs"
Applicant Type - select BS Exceptional Student Education application and complete the online form.

Once you have submitted the online application you will receive an email confirming receipt through your SCF Student email. Be sure to check your SCF Student email account throughout the application process.