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About

If you are considering a position as a middle school or high school mathematics or science teacher, UFTeach is for you.

UFTeach is an alternative certification program, officially recognized by the State of Florida as a “Professional Training Option (PTO) for Content Majors.” In the UFTeach program, students major in a mathematics or science discipline while earning a specialized minor in education. The minor allows a mathematics or science major to complete the professional preparation coursework for teachers required by Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.006(2), FAC, while completing the bachelor’s degree.

Highlights

  • early and well-supported field experiences in real classrooms
  • deep-level understanding of mathematics and science content
  • deep-level understanding of methods to effectively teach mathematics and science
  • compact degree plan that allows most students to complete degree and PTO requirements in four years

Course topics

  • Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching (1 credit)
  • Step 2: Inquiry-Based Lesson Design (2 credits)
  • Combined Step 1 and 2: Inquiry Teaching and Lesson Design (3 credits)
  • Knowing and Learning in Mathematics and Science (3 credits, GE-S)
  • Classroom Interactions (3 credits)
  • Project-Based Instruction (3 credits)
  • Functions and Modeling (for mathematics majors) (3 credits)
  • Research Methods (3 credits)
  • Perspectives on Science and Mathematics (3 credits, GE-H, 6k GR writing)
  • Reading in the Content Area (3 credits)
  • Apprentice Teaching (4 credits)

Certification

A UFTeach student may or may not be required to sit for a Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) to be eligible for a temporary certificate.

If the major matches the subject you want to teach (e.g. biology major seeking Biology 6-12 certification), or if you have satisfied course-count requirements, you do not have to pass any exams before being eligible for temporary certification.

See www.fldoe.org/edcert/subjlist.asp and click on the subject to find out minimum subject area requirements by major and by course-count. If the major does not match the subject you want to teach (e.g. engineering major seeking Math 6-12 certification), and you have not satisfied the course-count requirements, you would have to pass the relevant Subject Area Exam before being eligible for temporary certification.

See www.fldoe.org/edcert/sub_exams.asp for a table of those exam requirements by subject area.
The temporary teaching certificate is good for three years, and is non-renewable.
The testing requirements for professional certification are (1) General Knowledge Test all four sections (you will already be well prepared for this basic skills test), (2) Subject Area Exam, and (3) Professional Education Test (you will already be prepared upon completion of the UFTeach course sequence). Information about all FTCE exams is available at www.fl.nesinc.com.