Certificate - Educator Preparation Institute, Reading Endorsement

The Educator Preparation Institute provides an opportunity for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s Degree in a field other than education, to become a teacher. Certifications are available in all subject disciplines with a special emphasis on attracting teachers in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) and Exceptional Student Education (ESE). This program is designed to develop high quality teachers. The EPI program offers convenient day, evening, and online classes. This alternative certification program enables the student to master competencies necessary not only to receive a Professional Educator’s Certificate, but also to become a successful teacher in the P-12 classroom. The program’s 24 college credits encompass topics such as classroom management, Educational Psychology, and teaching and learning processes, as well has a 30- hour field experience for students to incorporate what they have learned in the classroom. 

Visit the program page for more details and how to apply.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission requirement specified in section 1004.85(3)(b), F.S., which requires a candidate to obtain a statement of status of eligibility (SOE) indicating the candidate is eligible for the certification subject listed on the SOE. 
2. Complete the Eastern Florida State College admissions application.
3. Candidates must pass all parts of the General Knowledge Test (GKT)* before entry into the EPI program at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC). Test Results must be submitted to the college registrar before they are admitted into the program.          
4. Schedule a meeting with the Collegewide Chair of Education and supply copies of GKT scores and Letter(s) of Eligibility.

Note: Individuals admitted to the EPI program at EFSC must obtain security clearance through fingerprinting for a background check with Brevard Public Schools.  

Contacts for questions about the program or applying can be found on the main program page.

Program Requirements

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Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of field-based experience with children and youth in school or similar settings and not via virtual modes of film or Internet. Students must obtain security clearance before obtaining hours in public schools.

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Students must volunteer 15 hours in diverse classroom settings including ELL, high performing, and/or Improving classrooms. Students must obtain security clearance before obtaining hours in public schools.

Graduation Requirements 

Responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation with an Educator Preparation Institute certificate rests with the student.  To be awarded the certificate from Eastern Florida State College a student must do the following:

1. File an Intent to Graduate Application and pay the graduation fee. Visit the How to Apply for Graduation website for more information.
   • Applications submitted after the published deadline will incur a late fee.
2. Complete all admission requirements, including the submission of all required transcripts, testing, and other required documents.
3. Satisfactorily complete a prescribed course of study totaling at least 21 semester hours.
4. Completed all required field, volunteer, or student teaching required by certificate coursework.
5. Complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for the certificate through traditional instruction at EFSC.
6. Earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
   • College developmental courses, audited courses, clock hour courses, and continuing education courses are not applicable toward credits for the  EPI certification.
   • Transfer courses with a grade of T% do not calculate into the GPA.
7. Address course substitutions or MOU requirements. 
8. Complete all coursework with a final grade. Students with a grade of “I - Incomplete” will not be processed for graduation until a final grade is posted.
   • For graduation in the term of application, the final grade must be posted within the first three weeks of the following term. If the final grade is not posted within the first three weeks of the following term, student must reapply and repay for graduation in the term they complete all requirements. Student may request through the instructor to have the “I” converted to a permanent "F" if the course is not required to graduate.
9. Remove all financial obligations to the college. 
10. FTCE Professional Education Test must be completed and passed by graduation in order to receive Professional Teaching Certificate.  Subject Area Exam(s) must be completed prior to the Practicum.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will explain the inner workings of a school, including location & physical layout, teaching philosophy, teachers, staff & administration, goals & mission, and curriculum & extra-curricular activities. 
   • Core Ability Supported: WORKS COOPERATIVELY  
2. Presentation of Research Paper.  Share research finding with peers on an issue that a student in your future classroom could potentially encounter and how it effects the child’s and or adolescent’s development. 
   • Core Ability Supported: THINK CRITICALLY AND SOLVE PROBLEMS 
3. Identify aspects of safety as pertains to school level and how to incorporate that in your future classroom. 
   • Core Ability Supported: PROCESS INFORMATION 
4. Students will evaluate learning techniques for working with diverse student populations including Exceptional Education, ESOL, High/low Socioeconomic, and Alternative School. 
   • Core Ability Supported: MODEL ETHICAL & CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY 
5. Students will learn how to create a digital portfolio, using technology learned in the course, and present to the class.  
   • Core Ability Supported: COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY 
6. Students will demonstrate an understanding of active learning by creating lesson plans incorporating active learning in the subject area. 
   • Core Ability Supported: THINK CRITICALLY AND SOLVE PROBLEMS 
7. Perform peer-reviewed literature searches to find practice-based and research articles focused on comprehension, oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and integration of reading components.  These articles will guide the creation of multiple lessons plans in content area that correlate to a major teaching unit of their choosing.  
   • Core Ability Supported: PROCESS INFORMATION 
8. Students will evaluate learning techniques for teaching in their subject area in diverse student populations in Schools. 
   • Core Ability Supported: MODEL ETHICAL & CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY