UF Student FAQs
UF Students – Admissions: 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 programs were discontinued in 2002. If you’re interested in foreign language or mathematics education, and plan to begin your teaching career IN FLORIDA, you might consider a minor as an alternative route to certification. For foreign language education that would be the Florida Teaching Minor, and for mathematics education that would be the UFTeach Mathematics Teaching Minor.
Q: What is the Educational Studies minor?
A: The intent of the Educational Studies Minor is to provide students with an understanding of the purpose and function of education and the social and psychological forces that affect young people; unlike the Florida Teaching Minor and UFTeach Minors, this minor IS NOT intended to lead to teacher certification. Students should apply for a minor early in their junior year, and must apply before earning 100 credit hours. A minor from the College of Education is not available to students with a major in the College of Education.
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: I want to change my major to one offered by the College of Education. How do I do that?
A: Consult with the Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator in the Office of Student Services, G-416 Norman Hall (ground floor near the Norman parking garage). You may be granted admission to the College of Education in a “pre-education” status while you work toward admission to the ProTeach program.
Q: What are the undergraduate admission requirements for ProTeach?
A: Minimum requirements to be considered for admission to ProTeach at the junior level include a score of 1450 on the New SAT (minimum 440 on each of the three sections; 1010 Critical Reading + Math) or 21 on the ACT with Writing, 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, completion of the College Distribution courses with grades of C or higher and a 2.6 cumulative GPA, and completion of the Writing Requirement (24,000 words) and the College Level Academic Skills Requirement. (If your ISIS degree audit does not have a check mark next to “University College Level Academic Skills Requirement” please see an advisor in Student Services, G416 Norman Hall, for clarification about this admission standard.)
Q: I’ve met the undergraduate admission requirements and am on track. Am I guaranteed admission to ProTeach?
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’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 in January if you are aiming for ProTeach admission in Fall, and in July if you are aiming for ProTeach admission for Spring. Register online at www.fl.nesinc.com.
Q: What are the three Preprofessional courses I must complete before admission?
A: The three preprofessional courses are:
- EDF1005 Introduction to Education
- EDF2085 Teaching Diverse Populations
- EME2040 Introduction to Educational Technology
Q: What are the College Distribution courses I must complete before admission?
A: If you are in the College of Education, College Distribution courses are listed on your ISIS degree audit. If you are not yet in the College of Education, please see an advisor in Student Services, G416 Norman Hall, for clarification.
Q: Are there career placement services for teacher education graduates?
A: The UF Career Resource Center offers an annual (usually in April) Education Recruitment Day where representatives from most of the 67 school districts in Florida, and from several other states, meet with students who are completing approved teacher education programs and others who are interested in teaching.
