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The Bachelor of Early Care and Education (B.E.C.E) at Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ is a fully online degree program designed for students seeking a convenient, affordable path to a meaningful career working with young children. Jointly offered by the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Special Education, this program prepares future educators and child-serving professionals to support children from birth through age eight in early learning, childcare, early intervention, community programs, and other child-serving settings.

What makes the B.E.C.E distinctive is its integrated focus on early childhood education and early childhood special education. Students develop the skills to work with children of all abilities, including those with disabilities or developmental delays, and graduate ready to provide inclusive, high-quality care and education in a variety of settings.

The program is grounded in, and the program-level learning outcomes are derived from, the latest professional standards, including those of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Division for Early Childhood, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ’s Academic Learning Compact.

Designed for today’s busy students, the B.E.C.E offers the convenience of online learning with the academic quality of an Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵdegree. Students may enroll full-time or part-time, and those with an Associate of Arts degree may complete the program in as little as two years. With affordable tuition and personalized support through online orientation and advising, the B.E.C.E makes it easier to reach your goals without putting your life on hold.

Program Overview

Additional program information and course descriptions. Students who wish to learn more about the degree program, including the course descriptions, are invited to consult the Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵCourse Catalog for program details.

How to Apply

Applying to the Bachelor of Early Care and Education (B.E.C.E): A two-step process

1. Students wishing to pursue the B.E.C.E degrees must first apply to Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵ. Students either apply as a (a) first-year or freshman- applying immediately after high school, (b) transfer student- already earned 12 or more college credits after graduation, or (c) Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree holder, (d) 2nd Bachelor's degree-seeking student.
2. Once admitted to FAU, students who have earned 60 Credit hours or hold an Associate of Arts degree, and a cumulative 2.5 GPA are invited to apply to the College of Education’s Bachelor of Early Care and Education (B.E.C.E) degree program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students may learn more about the program by reviewing these FAQs.

4+1 Degrees: Complete a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Just Five Years!

B.E.C.E. 4+1 Degrees. The Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Special Education also offer 4+1 degrees, built upon the B.E.C.E. undergraduate degree. These degrees allow students to earn a bachelor’s and a master's degree, both fully online, within five years of full-time study.

Applying directly to the 4+1 upon degree entry

The 4+1 pathway allows motivated students to earn both degrees in less time while preparing for advanced career opportunities and leadership roles. Students who are interested in earning a bachelor's and master's degree within five years, and meet the admission criteria, may apply directly to:

• B.E.C.E to Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education Concentration
• B.E.C.E to Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education, Interventions Specialist [8.1]Concentration

4+1 upon after beginning the B.E.C.E. undergraduate degree. Students who apply to and begin the B.E.C.E. undergraduate degree full-time, but decide to pursue one of the 4+1 degrees, must meet the entry requirements for the 4+1 degree and apply no later than the application deadline for spring entry, or successful completion of their first semester in the B.E.C.E. undergraduate degree, whichever comes first.

Learn more about 4+ 1 degrees. To learn more about completing a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in just five years, contact: