Transfer Applicants FAQs
Transfer Admission Information: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is ProTeach?
A: The following is a summary of the ProTeach (PROfessional TEACHer) programs offered by the College of Education. All ProTeach programs require an additional year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree for program completion and initial professional certification. Students who intend to complete a bachelor’s degree only should not pursue admission to a ProTeach program.
UNIFIED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Preparation to teach young children with a wide variety of capabilities; certification in Preschool Education (birth to age 4) and in Pre-kindergarten/Primary (age 3 to grade 3), plus a Pre-kindergarten Disabilities Endorsement and an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement. The program includes a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education with a major in special education and a fifth year program in the College of Education with a major in early childhood education. Admission is limited to Fall each year. Fifth year may be a master’s degree or post-baccalaureate program.
UNIFIED ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Preparation to teach elementary grade level; professional methods classes and clinical experience in public school and other settings; certification in Elementary Education (K-6) plus endorsements in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Reading. Certification in Exceptional Student Education (ESE K-12) is an option in the 5th year. Program consists of a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education with a major in elementary education and a fifth year program in the College of Education with a major in elementary education or special education. Admission is limited to Fall and Spring each year. Fifth year may be a master’s degree or post-baccalaureate program.
SECONDARY EDUCATION Preparation to teach grades 6-12 English, science, or social science. Program consists of a bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with an approved major, plus a master’s degree from the College of Education with a major in secondary education. Undergraduate transfer admission would be through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. (Because undergraduate admission in not to the College of Education, other FAQs on this page do not apply to secondary education students.) Fifth year is a master’s degree program.
Q: Do you offer a ProTeach program for foreign language education or mathematics education?
A: Unfortunately, those ProTeach programs were discontinued in 2002. If you’re interested in foreign language or mathematics education, your first choice should be to transfer to an institution that offers an approved program leading to professional certification.
Q: Which teacher education programs are offered by other colleges at UF?
A: Other teacher education programs include Art Education, Music Education, and Agricultural Education.
Q: What are the undergraduate admission requirements for ProTeach if I’m transferring from a Florida community college?
A: We require a minimum score of 1450 on the New SAT (minimum 440 on each the three sections; 1010 Critical Reading + Math) or 21 on the ACT with Writing (we do not recalculate composite ACT scores), passing scores on all sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination’s General Knowledge Test (FTCE-GK), completion of the three Preprofessional courses with grades of C or higher and a 3.0 GPA, and award of the AA with an AA GPA of 2.6 or higher. To be considered competitive for admission you must also complete all College Distribution courses with grades of C or higher and a 2.6 GPA.
Q: What are the undergraduate admission requirements for ProTeach if I’m NOT transferring from a Florida community college?
A: Ditto above, with a few exceptions. First, the AA is recommended, but optional; without the AA you must document successful completion of 60 credit hours and completion of the Gordon Rule Writing (24,000 words) requirement and College Level Academic Skills Requirement. Second, if you have earned more than 60 credits, you must have a 3.0 upper-division GPA.
Q: Can I transfer directly from an out-of-state college or University?
A: Not usually. You must complete the three preprofessional courses before admission. Unless they are available via distance education, you will have to attend a Florida college (community or state) for these courses. You must also arrange to take the FTCE-GK, which is available in a few locations out of Florida.
Q: Do I have to take the SAT or ACT for admission if I have an AA?
A: Yes. Our minimum admission requirements apply to all applicants. Although many teacher education programs no longer require an SAT or ACT for admission, the ProTeach programs do. Admission to the fifth-year master’s degree program will require an acceptable score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Performance on the SAT (and to some extent on the ACT) is a good predictor of performance on the GRE. We have established the minimum SAT/ACT for undergraduate admission at a level where students should be able to achieve the minimum GRE for graduate admission.
Q: I’m confused about when I have to take the Florida Teacher Certification Examination’s General Knowledge Test (FTCE-GK). Can you explain?
A: You should plan to take all four sections of the FTCE-GK (math, reading, English skills, and essay) at least six weeks before the transfer application deadline. Register online at www.fl.nesinc.com.
Q: What are the three Preprofessional courses I must complete before admission?
A: The three preprofessional courses, which are available exclusively at Florida community colleges, state colleges, and public universities, are:
- EDF1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession (EDF2005 is equivalent)
- EDF2085 Introduction to Diversity for Educators (EDG2701 or EDF1085 is equivalent)
- EME2040 Introduction to Technology for Educators (EME1040 is equivalent)
Q: What are the College Distribution courses I must complete to be considered competitive for admission?
A: The College Distribution courses are expanded foundational courses in composition, math, the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, intended to build competence in all areas. Useful worksheets are available to assist students and their advisors. If you have questions about College Distribution courses, please email student-help@coe.ufl.edu .
Q: How do I apply for admission?
A: Online applications for undergraduate transfer admission are available at www.admissions.ufl.edu. There is not a separate application for the College of Education. The application deadline for Fall is March 1st, and for Spring is September 15th. The first admission decisions are usually made soon after the application deadline. If you wish for your application to be in the first review, be sure to apply early (December/January for Fall, June/July for Spring), and have all supporting documents (SAT/ACT score reports, high school transcripts, college transcripts from EACH college you attended, etc.) sent to the UF Office of Admissions soon after you apply. The UF Office of Admissions will refer your completed application packet to the College of Education for final review and a decision. Applications are considered on a space-available basis in the order in which they are referred by the UF Office of Admissions. (It is not necessary to submit your FTCE score report to the UF Office of Admissions. If admitted, you may be asked to provide that to the College of Education at a later time.)
Q: If I apply for admission and meet all minimum requirements, am I guaranteed admission?
A: Unfortunately, no. To assure adequate field experiences are available for each student, we have a limit on the number of students we will admit to our programs. An admissions committee will select from a competitive pool of native and transfer applicants, with final decisions based upon a student’s academic record, personal statement, and other relevant information.
Q: I’ve completed the first year of a teacher education program at another university and I want to transfer to UF for my senior year. Will my credits transfer?
A: All credits will transfer, but few credits will apply toward ProTeach program requirements. You would essentially be starting over with 3 years remaining (2 years for the bachelor’s degree plus the fifth year) before program completion. We would encourage you to stay at your university to complete your initial teacher education program, and consider UF for future professional development in a graduate-level program.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please e-mail us.
