Proposed B.S. Degree in

Early Childhood
Education

Proposed Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education for Grades P-5 (Teaching Certification)

Gainesville State College is in the process of seeking permission from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to offer the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (grades P – 5) which will lead to certification. It is the goal of the Institution to begin offering coursework toward the degree as of Fall Semester 2006. This program, if approved, would be similar to and replace the Teacher Ed Program presently offered by North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) on the Gainesville Campus. Graduate course work is not available through this program.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Step 1: Admission to Gainesville State College

To be eligible to apply for this Program, a student must first be admitted to Gainesville State College. If you are not presently a student at GSC, please submit an application for admission to the GSC Admissions Office. Students who already have a bachelors degree would enroll at Gainesville State College as second degree or non-degree seeking students.

Step 2: Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Gainesville State College’s Teacher Education Program is not yet ready to accept program applications since the College is in the process of developing the admission application procedure along with the application packet. Changes to this site will occur as additional information becomes available. Please check back periodically to view program updates.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements must be met in order to be considered for admission to the Teacher Education Program:

Ø       Admission to the College.
Ø       Minimum GPA of 2.75.
Ø       At least 40 semester hours of college credit prior to beginning the Program.
Ø       Completion or anticipated completion of AREA A courses (two English composition courses and at least one college-level math course) by August 15, 2006. No grade below “C” is acceptable in these courses.

Ø Completion or anticipated completion of Foundations of Education, Exceptional Children and Human Growth and Development Courses by August 15, 2006. No grade below “C” is acceptable in these courses.

Ø University System students must have passed the Regents Examination.
Ø For students who already hold a four-year undergraduate degree, Foundations of Education, Exceptional Children and Human Growth and Development are not required for admission to the Program, but those classes must be completed within the first two semesters and before enrolling in the 4000 level curriculum.

Ø Applicants must have exempted (by means of an appropriate score on one of the following: SAT, ACT or GRE) or submit passing scores for the PRAXIS I examination.

Changes to this site will occur as additional information becomes available. Please check back periodically to view program updates. An Education webpage is under construction that will provide detailed information. When finished, a connecting link will be provided.

Students Ready for Teacher Education Program

However, those students who have been admitted to the College, have completed their general core courses, are ready to apply to a Teacher Ed program and would like to be considered for the proposed Gainesville State College Teacher Ed program should forward their name, address, phone number and email address to ECE.P-5@gsc.edu for an application package.

Or, students can see and download the application from the links below. If you are going to get the forms for application directly from this site be sure to download both the "Education Application Document" and the "Consent Form" document and mail them to the appropriate office by the deadline.

Cover Memo:

GAINESVILLE CAMPUS                                                                                                  OCONEE CAMPUS
POST OFFICE BOX 1358                                                                                         POST OFFICE BOX 1748
GAINESVILLE GA 30503                                                                                      WATKINSVILLE GA 30677

MEMORANDUM

TO: Prospective Student

FROM: C. Karcher, Chair
Division of Social Sciences & Education

DATE: 4 April 2006

RE: Admission to the Teacher Education Program
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You have indicated an interest in applying for Gainesville State College’s “proposed” B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education (P-5). As indicated on the College’s homepage, “Gainesville State College is in the process of seeking permission from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to offer the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (grades P – 5) which will lead to certification. It is the goal of the Institution to begin offering coursework toward the degree as of Fall Semester 2006.” It is the expectation of the College that the Board of Regents will approve this degree at its meeting this month.

In preparation for the Program’s approval and implementation, the College is now ready to accept applications. Enclosed you will find an application packet to be completed by you with a deadline of June 15th. Please carefully review the admission criteria to ensure that you meet all the requirements.

The faculty and College appreciate your interest in this new program and your patience as the approval process proceeds and as the program’s policies and procedures continue to be put into place.

DIVISION OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & EDUCATION, GAINESVILLE CAMPUS 678.717.3627 FAX 678.717.3937
WWW.GSC.EDU

Download Cover Memo Document Top of Page

Education Program Application:

GAINESVILLE STATE COLLEGE

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (P-5)

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Students must be accepted into the Teacher Education Program before beginning any professional education course work leading to certification. All requirements, other than prerequisite coursework that may be in progress, must be satisfied before submitting this application. Recommendation forms, copies of PRAXIS I scores or documentation of exemption scores, unofficial transcripts, and the notarized consent form for a criminal background check must be attached to your application. All documents should be submitted along with the application. Incomplete applications are discouraged and will hinder admission.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

June 15, 2006

Note: Program may close due to reaching maximum capacity before the posted deadline.

Program	When does the Program begin?	Deadline
Early Childhood Education (P-5)	Fall Semester 2006	June 15, 2006

GAINESVILLE STATE COLLEGE

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS

Thank you for your interest in Gainesville State College's Teacher Education Program. While the Board of Regents has not yet granted final approval for the Program, approval is anticipated. Admission requirements are designed to ensure that prospective teachers have the academic qualifications and personal characteristics necessary to finish the Program and become effective educators. All students who wish to be admitted to the Program must first apply and be admitted to the College.

Students are admitted to the Teacher Education Program by the Teacher Education Admission Committee using set criteria. Admission to the Program places the students in a cohort comprised of the students admitted for that semester. The members of the cohort complete the entire professional education program sequence together over a set period of sequential semesters including summer semester. The cohort model provides each student a common set of experiences and a stable academic and social support network.

The cohort model requires students to remain in sequence with their assigned cohort in order to complete the Program within the planned number of semesters. If a student fails to successfully complete a course, it will be a year before the course is offered again.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION INCLUDE:

Minimum GPA requirement is 2.75.

At least 40 semester hours of college credit prior to beginning the Program.

Completion or anticipated completion of Area A courses (two English composition courses and at least one college-level math course) by August 15, 2006. No grade below “C” is acceptable in these courses.

Completion or anticipated completion of Foundations of Education, Exceptional Children and Human Growth and Development Courses by August 15, 2006. No grade below “C” is acceptable in these courses.

University System students must have passed the Regents Examination.

For students who already hold a four-year undergraduate degree, Foundations of Education, Exceptional Children and Human Growth and Development are not required for admission to the Program, but those classes must be completed within the first two semesters and before enrolling in the 4000 level curriculum.

Applicants must have exempted (by means of an appropriate score on one of the following: SAT, ACT or GRE – see below) or submit passing scores for the PRAXIS I examination. No exceptions. SAT or ACT scores may be verified with high school transcripts.

Information about PRAXIS registration can be found on the College's Testing Center website at: http://www.gsc.edu/admin/testing/testinginfo.htm

or the web site of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission at:
www.gapsc.com

PRAXIS exemption rules can be found at:
http://www.gapsc.com/msgc_exempscorespraxis1.asp

SAT – minimum required score – 1000 (with no minimum verbal score or math score required). The composite score is obtained by adding the Verbal and the Math scores. Candidates must take both the Verbal and the Math sections of the test.
ACT – minimum score – 43 (with no minimum English score or Math score required). The composite score is obtained by adding the English and Math scores. Candidates must take both the English and the Math sections of the test.

GRE – minimum score – 1030 (with no minimum Verbal score or Quantitative score required). The composite score is obtained by adding the Verbal and Quantitative scores. Candidates must take both the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the test.

If you took the SAT before April 1995, or the ACT before October 1989, call the Division of Education, Health and Welfare (770/718-3645) to have your scores recalculated.

Three recommendation forms are required; these forms are included in this application package. One recommendation form should be from someone who can address academic potential, one from a current or former employer, and one from someone who can address the applicant's skill with children. Recommendation forms are to be submitted in sealed, signed envelopes along with the application.

Submit the application with an academic transcript for each college and/or university that you have attended. Unofficial transcripts are satisfactory for application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission.

Submit the application with a signed and notarized consent form for a criminal background check.

Send your completed application packet to:

Ms. Joyce Ferguson

Administrative Assistant

Division of Education, Health and Wellness

Gainesville State College

P.O. Box 1358

Gainesville, GA 30503

For questions, call (678) 717-3645 or email jferguson@gsc.edu.

The application packet may also be hand delivered to:

Division of Education, Health and Wellness

Hugh M. Mills, Jr. Physical Education Complex

3820 Mundy Mill Road

Room 103

Oakwood, GA

GAINESVILLE STATE COLLEGE

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (P-5)

APPLICATION

Application Information
Last name	First name, MI		Date of Birth	Social Security #:
Street Address
City State Zip
If different from above, address while in the Program:
City State Zip
Primary phone #:	Secondary phone #:		Preferred e-mail address:
In case of emergency notify (name, phone, relationship):
Number of semester hours expected to be completed when you enter the Program: _____________________ Highest Degree attained: Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree Current GPA: _____________________ Provisional Certificate: Yes No	Sex (optional) Female Male	Ethnic Origin (optional) African American Native American or Alaska native Asian or Pacific Islander Hispanic Mixed Race White, non Hispanic			Are you currently enrolled at Gainesville State College? Yes No

Page 1 of 3

Application Qualifications

Attach an unofficial copy of your transcript to verify your GPA and completion of required courses.

Regents’ Test complete?

Yes

(Transfer students from non-University System schools have one semester to complete this requirement)

Grades in the following courses must be “C” or higher. If course is in progress, please provide completion date.

_______ English 1101 (Composition 1)

_______ English 1102 (Composition 2)

_______ Mathematics

_______ Foundations of Education

_______ Exceptional Children

_______ Human Growth & Development

Above courses must be completed before beginning the Program. See admission requirement for details.

Praxis 1 Requirement

(Check one):

SAT scores meet the minimum composite requirement of 1000.

ACT scores meet the minimum composite requirement of 43.

GRE scores meet the minimum composite requirement of 1030.

Praxis 1 with a minimum composite of 526.

You must attach documen-tation for exemption or passing scores. We do not accept students who have not either exempted Praxis 1 or satisfied the requirement with a minimum composite of 526. Documentation includes a copy of a score report or high school or college transcript containing scores. (If you took the SAT before April 1995 or the ACT before Oct. 1989, call the Division of Education, Health and Wellness to have your scores recalculated.)

Recommendations

Three (3) Recommendation Forms, each placed in its own sealed envelope with recommender’s signature across the seal, are to be attached to your application. See Recommendation Forms included with this application.

Recommendation Forms should include an employer, someone familiar with academic ability, and someone familiar with your ability to work with children.

Criminal Background Check

You must complete the criminal background check consent form, have it notarized, and submit it with your application. This is a requirement for admission.

Checklist

______ Praxis scores or exemption documentation attached.

______ Three (3) Recommendation Forms attached.

______ Gainesville State College application submitted.

______ Unofficial copy of transcript attached to verify GPA, required courses and content background.

______ Criminal background check consent form signed and notarized.

Gainesville State College

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Recommendation Form

Name of Applicant: __________________________________________________________

Program Area: Early Childhood Education (P-5)

I understand that the information supplied on this form is confidential and will not be shared with me. By signing my name below, I waive all rights of examination.

Applicant’s Signature: ________________________________ Date: ___________________

The person named above has applied for admission to the Teacher Education Program at Gainesville State College and has selected you as one who has the knowledge and information needed to complete this form. Please rate this applicant on the following characteristics and traits, with “1” being questionable, “3” being acceptable, and “5” being exemplary.

Ability	1 questionable	2	3 acceptable	4	5 exemplary	unknown
Is respectful of all people
Adheres to high ethical standards
Exhibits potential for competent leadership
Is dependable
Maintains a positive attitude
Is flexible and adaptable
Works well with others
Relates well with children
Uses time wisely
Is punctual
Completes tasks on schedule
Accepts and utilizes suggestions for improvement
Is a thoughtful and responsive listener
Demonstrates critical thinking skills
Is willing to give and receive help
Demonstrates effective verbal and non-verbal communication
Respects confidentiality of information

In what capacity have you known this applicant?

______________________________________________________________________________

Comments:

Name (please print):_________________________________________ Position: ____________

Signature:_________________________________________________ Date:_______________

Phone:____________________ Would you like for us to call you for additional information? ___ Yes ___ No

This form should be returned to the applicant in a sealed envelope with your signature across the seal. If you have questions, please call Ms. Joyce Ferguson at (770) 718-3645.

Gainesville State College

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Recommendation Form

Name of Applicant: __________________________________________________________

Program Area: Early Childhood Education (P-5)

I understand that the information supplied on this form is confidential and will not be shared with me. By signing my name below, I waive all rights of examination.

Applicant’s Signature: ________________________________ Date: ___________________

Ability

questionable

acceptable

Program

Last name

First name, MI

Date of Birth

Social Security #:

Street Address

City State Zip

City State Zip

Primary phone #:

Praxis 1 Requirement

(Check one):

Three (3) Recommendation Forms, each placed in its own sealed envelope with recommender’s signature across the seal, are to be attached to your application. See Recommendation Forms included with this application.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Admission to the Teacher Education Program