Teacher Certification Information
 

SO YOU WANT TO GET A TEACHING CERTIFICATE . . .

Teaching is not an easy profession, but the challenge of helping young people grow and develop into thoughtful productive adults is one that calls for a particular kind of dedication and willingness to work hard. It is also one of the most exciting professions in existence. The following are some of the common questions that are asked by people who have an undergraduate degree in another area and would like to become certified to teach in Florida. Read through this information and, if you would like to pursue this idea further, follow the directions at the end of the paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DEGREE IN EDUCATION FOR THE STATE TO CERTIFY ME?
I HAVE A DEGREE IN MATH/ENGLISH/SCIENCE/BUSINESS, ETC. HOW CAN U.S.F. HELP ME GET CERTIFIED?
I DON'T REALLY WANT TO GET ANOTHER DEGREE. WHY CAN'T I JUST TAKE THE COURSES THAT THE STATE HAS TOLD ME I'LL NEED?
WILL I BE GRANTED ANY CREDIT FOR COURSES THAT I'VE ALREADY TAKEN?
ARE THERE ANY SUBSTITUTES FOR AN INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?
DO I HAVE TO EARN ANOTHER UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE?
HOW DO I APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO A PROGRAM?
CAN I TAKE COURSES BEFORE I'M ACCEPTED TO A PROGRAM?
SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?
WOULD THERE BE ANY FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE TO ME?

DO I HAVE TO HAVE A DEGREE IN EDUCATION FOR THE STATE TO CERTIFY ME?

No, but it really helps, especially if you plan to move out of state!  The Florida Department of Education (DOE) will evaluate your transcripts and determine your eligibility for a three-year temporary certificate.  If you are eligible by having a degree in an “acceptable major,” appropriate specialization course work OR by having passing scores on the appropriate subject area exam (not an option for areas that require a graduate degree) you would have three years (no extensions) to meet the state’s other requirements and obtain a five-year certificate.  The other requirements are:  1) Complete Professional Preparation, either through district after you are hired (if district has approved program) or by taking specific education courses through a university;  2)  Pass the General Knowledge Exam (unless you passed CLAST prior to July 1, 2002)--you have only one year from hire date to meet this requirement-NO EXCEPTIONS;  3)  Demonstrate competence in Subject Area and Professional Preparation according to State Rule;  4) Complete a school-based orientation program, and  5) Secure an internship (see NOTE ** below) or find a state-accredited school that will hire you to teach in a regular, full-time, contracted position for two years, which can be extremely difficult to accomplish in some certification areas, especially in larger counties close to major universities.  You will be competing with education graduates, teachers changing positions within the system, and people moving into the area with teaching experience.  (Some content areas are EXTREMELY competitive, and some counties will not hire without an internship in areas such as elementary and early childhood).

I HAVE A DEGREE IN MATH/ENGLISH/SCIENCE/BUSINESS, ETC. HOW CAN U.S.F. HELP ME GET CERTIFIED?

USF can help you with some of the requirements listed above.  In addition, the College of Education at USF has a number of degree programs that lead to certification.  You can enter a degree program at the undergraduate or graduate level and complete the education course requirements that will help you obtain a degree in one of the state-approved teacher education programs.  This will automatically make you eligible upon fingerprint clearance for certification in the area of your degree and will be of prime importance should you move to any of the 38 states with which we have a reciprocity agreement. Some degree programs meet the requirements for the federally mandated ESOL endorsement.

I DON'T REALLY WANT TO GET ANOTHER DEGREE. WHY CAN'T I JUST TAKE THE COURSES THAT THE STATE HAS TOLD ME I'LL NEED?

You can, but USF cannot provide to non-degree-seeking students the required internship or course work in certain areas of certification.  There may be other colleges and universities in this area that may accommodate your desires.  However, at USF, a number of our degree programs in education have been cited as models for the state, and the integrity of these programs is something that we don’t want to erode.  From the ‘outside,’ it often seems as though anyone can teach, but that is a misconception.  We have found that a well-structured program is critical to the development of the teaching effectiveness.

WILL I BE GRANTED ANY CREDIT FOR COURSES THAT I'VE ALREADY TAKEN?

When you apply for a degree program, your previous transcripts are carefully examined for equivalent course work.  Many of our “second bachelor” students have received credit for work that they may have taken during their first degree program.  This is especially true of students who are seeking secondary level certification.  If you opt for course-by-course certification, the Bureau of Educator Certification will officially determine what will count and what you will still need.

ARE THERE ANY SUBSTITUTES FOR AN INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?

Yes.  If you have an “acceptable major,” or meet specialization requirements by course work or examination, and can get hired as a regular, full-time, contracted teacher (not a substitute, permanent or long-term substitute, etc.) in a public or state-accredited private school, the Bureau of Educator Certification will issue you, upon application, a three-year non-renewable temporary certificate and will accept two years of teaching under the certificate in lieu of an internship.  The problem with this is that the three years for which your certificate is valid is a TRUE deadline that will NOT be extended.   You would have to meet ALL requirements for a professional certificate in that time period.  In addition, there is often no need in the districts to hire someone without an education degree or teaching experience.  Check with your district before choosing this option, please!

DO I HAVE TO EARN ANOTHER UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE?

No.   You have the option of entering the Plan II Master’s degree program offered by most departments.  The Plan II is specially designed for people who have an undergraduate degree in something other than education and provides the necessary content area, ‘core’ courses and internship.  The Plan II program has the advantage of ending in a Master’s degree, which leads to a higher beginning salary in most cases.   The disadvantage is that the courses are a little more expensive.  We also have new MAT (Master in Teaching) programs available in several departments. 

HOW DO I APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO A PROGRAM?

If you select the undergraduate option, make an appointment with the advisor in Academic Advising, SVC 2011 on the Tampa campus (974-2645) or the campus closest to you.  Ask to speak with a pre-education advisor.  You will have to fulfill the regular entry requirements for undergraduate education majors which include a 2.5 GPA and prerequisites.  Even if you don’t have this right now, see an advisor to get some idea of where you stand.  You will also have to be admitted to the university.  The advisor will give you the necessary information.

For entry into the Plan II Master’s or MAT program, you may have to take the Graduate Record Exam.  Your best bet is to see Vanessa Augustine in EDU 106 (974-3406) who will give you the forms necessary for admission to the university, or visit the USF web site.

CAN I TAKE COURSES BEFORE I'M ACCEPTED TO A PROGRAM?

Yes, in most cases, if you decide on the graduate option.  If you decide to pursue a Plan II Masters or MAT degree, you can usually begin your course work as a non-degree-seeking student.  Non-degree-seeking students are those who are not yet admitted to a program.  However, if you have decided that this is really for you, you need to see a faculty advisor in the appropriate program as soon as possible because you are limited as to the number of eligible hours that will transfer into a degree program and some programs have limited enrollment.

SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

There are some things that you can do on your own.  If you know for sure that you have an “acceptable major” and you want to pursue a Plan II Master’s degree in that area, ask for the Professional Preparation Requirements course list available at the front desk in EDU 106.  You can sign up for one of the ‘core’ courses listed on your Professional Preparation Requirements sheet during non degree-seeking student registration.  The semester class schedule will list the dates and requirements for that.  (Check with your particular program to see which specific ‘core’ courses they require that are on the list.)  To determine whether you have an “acceptable major,” you may check with the receptionist in EDU 106, call 974-1804, or visit our web site.  Content (specialization) and Professional Preparation sheets listing the course work required for certification in areas for which USF offers courses are available from Sherry Evatt in the Office of Student Academic Services, EDU 106, but keep in mind that USF will not be able to provide the required internship to non-degree-seeking students and not all programs accept non-degree seeking students because of a lack of resources.

WOULD THERE BE ANY FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE TO ME?

Possibly.  The Office of Financial Aid will help you with this (974-4700.)  In addition, the receptionist in EDU 106 can provide you with a list of appropriate scholarship opportunities.  The Graduate School (FAO 147) also provides a description of assistance that may be available to those interested in pursuing a graduate degree.

If you are seeking a degree in education, a Stafford Loan with .81% interest rate may be available to you. Contact Florida Educational Loan Marketing Corporation: www.sssc.com (813) 740-1074.

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Revised: 03/14/2005