Practical Teaching Experience
At Northwest Florida State College, hands-on learning is at the heart of our Teacher Education programs. Whether you choose Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education, you will gain meaningful, school-based field experiences from the very beginning of your coursework. Many classes include a field component where you will observe in classrooms, participate in school activities, attend staff meetings, teach lessons, and work alongside experienced educators. These experiences allow you to apply the strategies, skills, and knowledge you learn in your college courses directly in real-world educational settings.
Your journey will culminate in a 450-hour teaching internship (student teaching), where you will take on the responsibilities of a classroom teacher under the guidance of a qualified mentor. This capstone experience provides the opportunity to refine your teaching skills, strengthen your confidence, and prepare for your own future classroom.
Becoming a Certified Teacher
The path to certification depends on your program:
Elementary Education (K–6): Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree and a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate for grades K–6, along with both the Reading Endorsement and the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement. These additional endorsements are highly valued in Florida schools and can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Early Childhood Education (Birth– Age 4): Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree focused on the specialized skills needed to teach and support young learners. While this degree does not lead directly to Florida teacher certification, it prepares you for advanced roles in early learning settings and can be paired with other certification pathways if desired.
Program Details
2 + 2 = Your Future in Teaching
Our bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education is designed as a “2 + 2” program. That means you first complete your associate degree (the first two years) or 60 credits, then transfer into our two-year bachelor’s program to finish the last half of your degree.
Length: 4 years total (2 years for your associate degree + 2 years for your bachelor’s degree)
Total Credit Hours: 120
Class Options
- Early Childhood Education: Offered fully online for maximum flexibility.
- Elementary Education: Available in hybrid, and traditional on-campus formats to fit your schedule and learning style.
Related Certificates
- Reading Endorsement (included with the Elementary Education program)
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement (included with the Elementary Education program)
- Child Development Associate (CDA) (recommended for Early Childhood Education students; available separately)
- Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) (recommended for Early Childhood Education students; available separately)
Career Outlook*
Graduates of the Elementary Education B.S. program at Northwest Florida State College meet the requirements for Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) teacher certification for grades K–6 and graduate with both the Reading Endorsement and the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement. Many of our graduates secure positions in local school districts as elementary classroom teachers.
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education B.S. program earn a degree focused on teaching and supporting children from birth through age 4. While this program does not lead directly to Florida teacher certification, it prepares graduates for a wide range of roles in early learning and child development settings.
For both programs, career opportunities extend beyond the classroom and may include roles in training and development, youth program management, curriculum design, research and writing, educational consulting, and staff development.
Average or Median Salary
$54,787