BS Exceptional Child and Elementary Education Dual Licensure - Online

Program Description

The GWU Exceptional Child (EC) program incorporates the Science of Reading, art, digital learning, and assessments as its core curriculum aligned with the North Carolina teaching, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, Exceptional Children, and digital standards, and prepares candidate for dual licensure in Elementary Education and EC generalist. 

The College of Education admission process is different than the Gardner-Webb admission process. The College of Education interview is a secondary admission process specific to the College of Education.

For entrance into Teacher Education and for entrance into the Professional Semester, all candidates must pass the Praxis Core or meet the SAT/ACT requirements, fulfill the interview process, and undergo a background and drug test to continue into the junior year. Candidates will not be permitted to complete more than 50% of the major or Professional Education minor until they are formally admitted into the Teacher Education Program. Candidates must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program at least two full semesters prior to the student teaching experience. In addition, a minimum of a "C" grade is required for all teacher education courses.

Entrance Requirements for College of Education Interview

• Expected GPA: 2.7
• Successful completion of EDU 250 ("C" or better)
• Successful completion of MATH 204 and MATH 205 (may be enrolled in MATH 205 at the time of the interview)
• Successful completion of PRAXIS core
• Successful completion of NC General Curriculum exam

This degree plan is an example of student progression through the program. The academic program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours of credit for the bachelor’s degree. The degree consists of a major field of concentration in the liberal arts or in a professional or pre-professional area, a General Education program, and elective courses. This example degree plan focuses Years 1 & 2 on the General Education program and Years 3 & 4 on the Major/Minor areas. It is recommended for students to incorporate Major/Minor courses into Years 1 & 2 as much as possible.


Note 1: Academic departments reserve the right to alter the term in which a course is offered.

Note 2: GWU Online courses run in continuous 8-week terms. Students can start anytime.

Terms 1 & 2 = Spring

Terms 3 & 4 = Summer

Terms 5 & 6 =Fall

Years 1 & 2: General Education (48-51 hours)

See General Education requirements

Students who graduate from the Exceptional Child and Elementary Education program will demonstrate proficiency in the North Carolina Teacher Candidate Standards (NCTCS) as follows:

1. Teachers demonstrate leadership;

2. Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students;

3. Teachers know the content they teach;

4. Teachers facilitate learning for their students; and

5. Teachers reflect on their practice.