Seminole State approved for two new education bachelor's degrees

Updated Aug. 8, 2022

Seminole State College of Florida was awarded approval for three new bachelor’s degree programs during the Florida State Board of Education meeting on Feb. 9, 2022 including a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6 and a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education K-12.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6

The degree program will prepare students to become certified Elementary Education K-6 teachers. Students will graduate with a teaching certificate in Elementary Education K-6, as well as an ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Reading Endorsement. Graduates will be eligible to teach kindergarten, all elementary grade levels and sixth grade in middle school. Additional opportunities include administrative and leadership roles, positions outside the traditional public-school setting and opportunities in careers in publishing, literacy and instructional design.

Labor market projections indicate a projected increase in demand of 282 annual job openings in Seminole State College’s service area.

“In response to local labor market urgent needs expressed by Seminole County Public Schools leadership for an Elementary Education K-6 baccalaureate degree, there is a need for baccalaureate graduates within this field to fill this critical teacher shortage,” noted Dr. Georgia Lorenz, president of Seminole State College.

Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education K-12 

The degree program will prepare students to become certified Exceptional Student Education K-12 teachers. Students will graduate with an Exceptional Student Education K-12 teaching certificate, as well as an ESOL and Reading Endorsement. Graduates will be qualified to teach exceptional student education in grades K-12, special education teachers kindergarten and elementary, and all other special education teachers.

Additional opportunities include administrative and leadership roles, positions outside the traditional public-school setting, and opportunities in careers in publishing, literacy and instructional design. Labor market projections indicate a projected increase in demand of 25 annual job openings in Seminole State College’s service area. 

“The College started discussions over two years ago with Seminole County Public Schools, our university partners and within the department to develop the two new bachelor’s degrees in education. The unique element of this program is that this is a new model for teacher education involving a close partnership with SCPS, and our hope is that graduates will go on to teach within the district,” said Dr. Laura Ross, vice president of Academic Affairs at Seminole State College.

The Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education K-6 and Exceptional Student Education K-12 are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.