Florida International University Education Degrees
Florida International University appears in our ranking of the Top 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education Degree Programs.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is available in both traditional, on-campus formats or completely online. The program focuses on providing students with an understanding of how children learn during their early childhood years. They develop an understanding of cognitive, language and social as well as emotional development. The program does not qualify students for teacher certification. Courses required include:
- Assessments of Young Children Content
- Children’s Literature
- Classroom Management
- Content and Methods of Teaching Beginning Literacy
- Content and Methods of Teaching Elementary Art
- Content and Methods of Teaching Elementary Health
- Content and Methods of Teaching Elementary Math
- Content and Methods of Teaching Elementary Science
- Cultural and Social Foundations of Education
- Early Childhood Curriculum
- Education Psychology
- Emergent Literacy
- ESOL Issues: Principles and Practices I & II
- Language and Literacy Development
- Managing Teaching Environments: Instructional Decisions and Classroom Management
- Social Studies and Foundations in Early Childhood Education
- Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in Inclusive Settings
A student teaching internship and senior seminar is also required.
Educational Leadership (MS)
The Master of Science program in Educational Leadership is designed for those who wish to develop entry-level competencies that prepare them to lead in an educational setting. The program includes courses based in a modified Florida program in educational leadership and may be used to satisfy part of the requirements for Florida state certification in Educational Leadership. Courses required include:
- Administering Educational Technology
- Communication in Educational Leadership
- Foundations of Educational Research
- Instructional Leadership
- Introduction to Educational Leadership
- Leadership in Education
- Seminar in Educational Leadership
- School Finance
- School Law
- School Personnel Administration
- Social, Philosophical and Historical Foundations of Education
An internship is also required to complete the program.
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (Ed.D.)
The doctorate program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is designed for those who wish to become familiar with theoretical and technical knowledge related to educational leadership. The program is multidisciplinary and includes intellectual perspectives in the practices of educational administration. Courses required include:
- Advanced Data Analysis in Quantitative Educational Research
- Advanced Topics in Social Foundations of Education
- Educational Policy
- Educational Psychology: Advanced Applications
- Ethics and Educational Leadership
- Policies of Education
- Qualitative Foundations of Educational Research
- Research Methods in Education: Introduction to Data Analysis
- Theories of Educational Administration
Students must complete a dissertation as well.
About Florida International University
In 1965, Florida Senator Robert M. Haverfield introduced a bill that instructed the State Board of Education to begin planning for the development of a state university which would be located in Miami. Four years later, Butler Waugh, Donald McDowell, Nick Sileo and Chuck Perry set up the school in a former air traffic control tower that was used by the now abandoned Tamiami Airport. When the school began, there were no phones, no drinkable water and no furniture.
The school opened in 1972 with 5,667 students, the largest opening enrollment in United States collegiate history. The first class enrolled at the school had students who were the average age of 25, 43 percent were married and 80 percent had just graduated from Miami-Dade Community College. It did not take long for the school to outgrow the air traffic control tower. However, it stands today in the center of the campus, known as the Ivory Tower.
U.S. News & World Report ranks the business undergraduate program and the international global policy and administration graduate program as number one in the country. It also ranks the school in the top 100 of public universities across the United States. Law students earn the highest passage rate on the Florida bar of all 11 of Florida’s law schools. College Choice ranks the online hospitality management program as number one in the country. BestColleges.com ranks the online criminal justice program as second in the nation.
Florida International University Accreditation Details
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation indicates to parents, students, and employers that graduates have received an education that prepares them for leadership roles in the field they have studied. It also indicates that the school undergoes periodic evaluation to confirm that students continue to receive excellence in education. If there are any areas identified that need improvement during the review, the school agrees to address those issues as soon as possible.
The School of Education and Human Development is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation as well as the Florida Department of Education.
Florida International University Application Requirements
In order to apply for the Master of Science in Educational Leadership, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.25 or higher. They must have three years of full-time teaching experience and must provide two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to their leadership potential in an educational setting. Applicants must provide a current resume and a brief written statement that describes the candidate’s career goals and aspirations.
In order to apply for the doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, applicants must hold a master’s degree or higher in Educational Leadership with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a GPA in all graduate-level coursework. GRE examination scores are required along with a letter of intent that describes career goals and aspirations. Applicants must also provide a current resume and three letters of reference. A personal interview with the Admissions Committee is also required.
Florida International University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for Florida residents is $157.36 per credit hour and $550.98 per credit hour for non-residents for undergraduates. Graduate tuition is $379.05 per credit hour for residents and $900 for non-residents.
Financial aid is available and many students receive monetary support that helps offset the cost of tuition. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. Loans are also available to help pay for college, but it is important to remember that loans must be repaid after graduation. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be renewed each year.
Florida International University offers on-campus and online programs designed to help adult learners achieve their higher education goals.