Addressing Florida’s teacher shortage, UF Online launches a new Early Childhood Education degree program

Florida schools opened this fall with an estimated 5,000 unfilled teaching positions – proof that training new teachers is more crucial than ever in the Sunshine State. 

The University of Florida’s College of Education is meeting this challenge by offering a fully online program that helps equip current and future educators with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education – along with options for certifications and endorsements in high-need areas, such as English for Speakers of Other Languages. The program’s first cohort started in August.  

“There’s such a critical teacher shortage, especially in early childhood education and special education,” said Tara Mathien, Ed.D., a clinical assistant professor of early childhood education, who played a critical role in developing the Bachelor of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Education program. “Our Early Childhood Education degree has a Prekindergarten Disabilities Endorsement, so filling that need for the state is really important as well. We were thinking about what we could do to meet those needs, so we created an online degree.”    

The program promotes developmentally appropriate practices and evidence-based teaching strategies geared toward students ranging from age 3 (pre-kindergarten) to third grade (primary).  

A flexible, practical career pathway  

While initial teacher preparation programs are not the only route to certification in Florida, UF’s program offers students some of the most comprehensive instruction – and flexible scheduling – available in the state.  

Recognizing the need for accessibility, especially for students who cannot relocate to Gainesville or are already working as paraprofessionals in other regions, the leaders of the program developed a completely online curriculum to meet the demand.  

Students in the program receive a solid theoretical foundation, combined with practical application through coaching and guidance from expert faculty members. The program also offers a two-year option for applicants with an associate’s degree, which creates a faster entry point into the teaching profession. Applicants can enroll part-time or full-time, so they can continue to teach, work, and balance their busy lives while earning their degrees.   

“I think it is so important for UF to be known for rising to the occasion yet again as we meet the needs of our field,” Mathien said.   

To maximize engagement for online students, program leaders focused on using technology to enhance the learning experience – ensuring courses are flexible while giving students even more opportunities to demonstrate competencies and meet the objectives of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. 

The Florida Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation have approved the UF program as an initial teacher preparation program.  

Specially designed for new students and current professionals 

Students in the program are given distinct options to demonstrate their competencies and gain practical experience. For instance, if a student is working as a teacher in a classroom, they might have the opportunity to conduct small group instruction within their actual classroom, provided they obtain the necessary approvals and consent from families and school administration. This hands-on, real-life experience would then serve as a demonstration of their competency.  

In addition to earning a diploma, participating students are eligible for multiple Florida credentials. Students can earn a certification in Prekindergarten/Primary, which focuses on supporting the learning and development of young children (age 3 to third grade), including those with disabilities and those from socio-culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.  

Students can also earn endorsements in three key areas: English for Speakers of Other Languages, which helps educators effectively communicate with students whose home language is not standard English; Reading, which allows educators to employ evidence-based strategies to improve reading comprehension and retention in young learners; and Prekindergarten Disabilities, which gives educators the tools to teach and care for a diverse group of children in inclusive early childhood programs.   

“Our students will be very well-prepared, highly qualified teachers when they are entering the field,” Mathien said. “I feel like we have a very innovative and effective program that can be used as a demonstration for other programs. I’m so proud of what we created.”