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Certificate Program in Secondary Teaching Preparation

Apply Now

If you are interested in teaching math, science, English, or social studies at the secondary level (6-12 grades) and want strong coursework and a rigorous supervised field experience in your content area, this program is for you! We offer an online program that leads to Florida Teacher Professional Certification at the post-baccalaureate level. This certificate program is an approved Florida Department of Education Educator Preparation Institute (EPI). Our program is:

  • Interdisciplinary
  • Completed in 2 semesters
  • Strong subject-area preparation with 1 semester of supervised student teaching
  • Online coursework with video-based supervision (or local supervision if you reside in Gainesville)

This 18-credit certification program is fully approved by the Florida Department of Education and leads to eligibility for Professional Educator certification in Florida.

Learn about our students!
Application Requirements | Application Deadlines | Application Instructions

Information about current tuition for online graduate coursework in our college can be found here: https://education.ufl.edu/coe-online/tuition-and-fees/

Courses

Social Studies, Science, and Math Education students will take the following courses:

  • ESE 6345 Effective Teaching and Classroom Management in the Secondary Classroom
  • EDG 6931 Data Driven Instructional Practices
  • EDG 5666 Knowing and Learning in Secondary Education
  • TSL 5335 ESOL and Reading for Secondary Teachers
  • Methods course in your subject area
  • ESE 6945 Student Teaching in the Secondary School

English Education students will take the following courses in order to add a Reading Endorsement to the certificate:

  • RED 6xxx  – Diagnosing and Remediating
  • RED 6xxx  – Diagnosing and Remediating Reading Difficulties (instead of ESE 5426)
  • RED 6xxx – English Education Practicum
  • ESE 6345 Effective Teaching and Classroom Management in the Secondary Classroom
  • EDG 6931 Data Driven Instructional Practices
  • EDG 5666 Knowing and Learning in Secondary Education
  • TSL 5335 ESOL and Reading for Secondary Teachers
  • LAE 6339 Methods Course in English
  • ESE 6945 Student Teaching in the Secondary School

Credits from the Secondary Teaching Preparation program can be transferred into a related Master’s degree program in the School of Teaching and Learning if you earn a grade of B or higher in each Certificate Program course.

Please see below if you are interested in our MAE program.

A Secondary Education Content Area

  • Math Education
  • Science Education
  • Social Studies Education
  • English Education

Curriculum and Instruction

  • Teacher Leadership
  • ESOL
  • Education Technology

#16 - Grad Education - Secondary Education - College of Education - 2022

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Application Requirements

Application Deadline: April 15

  1. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (official transcripts required for applicants new to UF)
  2. Upper division undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher (last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework), and a GPA of 2.5 or higher in your selected Content Area
  3. Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examination’s General Knowledge Exam
  4. Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exam in your selected Content Area (Math, Science, Social Studies, English)
  5. Valid Statement of Status of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education
  6. Statement of purpose essay explaining the following: Now that you have reviewed our website and the goals for this certificate, please explain in 200-300 words:  a) why you want to pursue a career in teaching; b) what experiences have helped to inform that choice; and c) what makes you a stand-out candidate for admission to this program at the University of Florida.

All application requirements must be in by the date listed above, including results from the FTCE.

Admission Terms and Deadlines

  • New cohorts are admitted each summer
  • Deadline to apply for next summer cohort: April 15

Application Instructions

  1. Review the program’s FAQ and apply using the Certificate Application.
  2. Email GradAdmissions@coe.ufl.edu with the following:
    • Statement of Purpose addressing the 3 points requested above
    • Your two (2) FTCE Exam scores (subject area and general knowledge)
    • Valid Statement of Status of Eligibility in your desired subject area

As part of your application, you must also ensure that academic transcripts are sent from each higher education institution you’ve attended to the University of Florida’s Office of Admissions, CODE 5812 if done online, or mail to PO Box 114000, 201 Criser Hall, Gainesville, FL  32611-4000. If you have previously attended the University of Florida, you do not need to request University of Florida transcripts. If you currently are enrolled at another academic institution, please send the most up-to-date transcript(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the program exactly, and who is it for?

The program is called an Educator Preparation Institute (EPI). It is fully approved by the Florida Department of Education as a route to Professional Certification in your content area. We have Certificate Programs in Social Studies Education, English Education, Science Education, and Math Education. The program is designed both for students who have not previously taught and want a Professional Certificate, and for practicing teachers seeking a Professional Certificate.

Is the program face-to-face or online?

All coursework is online except for your student teaching, which must be completed during the Fall term for 10 weeks in a Florida public school classroom. For your student teaching, we will do video supervision of your classroom via GoReact technology. We are unable to accommodate out-of-state or international students who are unable to do student teaching in a Florida public school.

What is required for my application to the program?

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (official transcripts required)
  • Upper division undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher (last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework), and a GPA of 2.5 or higher in your selected content area
  • Passing scores on the Florida Teacher Certification Examination’s General Knowledge Exam (note: this can be waived with acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Passing score on the Florida Teacher Certification Exam in your selected content area (Math, Science, Social Studies, English)
  • Statement of purpose essay explaining why this certificate program is a good fit for you
  • A Statement of Status of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education

When is the application deadline?

April 15. You can apply any time before then, because we have a rolling admissions process.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Two semesters. You would take 9 credit hours in the summer and 9 credit hours in the fall. The program always runs on a summer-fall cycle. You would complete the program and obtain your certificate by the end of the fall semester, pending successful completion of all program requirements.

Will I get a degree upon completion of this program?

You would be granted a UF Graduate Certificate in Secondary Teaching Preparation, which is an approved Florida Department of Education (FDOE) pathway toward Professional Teaching Certificate in your chosen content area. This certificate is not a degree program.

Does the program include student teaching?

Yes, in the fall semester of the program. If you are a pre-service teacher, we would arrange for you to have a school placement with a mentor teacher in the Florida school district where you live. If you are a practicing teacher in Florida, you would have a mentor teacher from your own school as agreed upon by your school principal. All placements will be in Florida public schools.

How much does the program cost?

Follow this link to calculate the tuition for University of Florida College of Education online coursework: https://education.ufl.edu/coe-online/tuition-and-fees/. You will see tuition rates for in-state students on the top half of the page. If you intend to move to Florida for the program but are classified as an out-of-state student, scroll down to the bottom of that page to see those rates. Either way, you will see the bottom line for what you will pay per credit hour. This certification program comprises 18 credit hours, so multiply that number by 18 to get the total cost.

 

Can I complete the program from another state?

No, at this time we cannot accommodate out of state students, because Florida Department of Education guidelines specify that the student teaching experience be completed in a Florida public school.

What are the expectations for students in the program?

First, you must follow UF requirements for all online students. Also, be aware that as a University of Florida Certificate Program student, you would be taking graduate-level coursework in a rigorous, time-intensive program of study. Students who are successful in the program maintain a focused, committed work ethic and are able to work independently to manage all program/course requirements and deadlines. In addition, because the program includes a field experience with mentor teachers who have strong relationships with the University of Florida, students are expected to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and performance in their mentor teachers’ classrooms.

What are the requirements for successful completion of the program?

  • Maintaining a 3.0 GPA in all coursework
  • Completion of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination Professional Education Exam
  • A rating of “Accomplished” on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices

Will I have an academic adviser in the program?

Yes, you will have both a Secondary Education program coordinator (Dr. Elizabeth Washington) and a content-area adviser in your field of study.

When can I start?

The program starts every summer!

Is there an opportunity to earn a graduate degree?

Yes, we have a Master of Arts in Education program in Science, Math, Social Studies, and English Education. If you think you want an MAE degree, we encourage you to apply for that first. As long as you are admitted for the fall term of your Certificate program, all 18 credits of your Certificate Program courses (with grades of B and higher) will count toward the MAE program of study. You would then be able to complete your MAE with 12 additional credit hours in the spring and/or summer semesters (depending on the program of study you and your adviser work out) following completion of your Certificate Program in the fall. However, if you are admitted to a Master’s program with us after the fall term of your certificate program, then only 15 credits will transfer in due to a SACS accreditation requirement that half your credits in a Master’s degree must be earned AFTER admission to that program.

NOTE: The GRE is no longer a requirement for admission to our MAE programs in these subject areas.

If you are interested, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Washington, via the contact form on this website, for additional information from our content area faculty.

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