Educator Preparation Institute, College Credit Certificate (C.C.C.)
The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) at Florida Gateway College is a program designed to provide individuals who have earned a four-year degree or higher from an accredited institution to enter the field of PreK-12, teaching through competency-based alternative certification. The EPI Program is a 24-credit hour, synchronous online, collaborative program that can be completed in less than one year. The EPI program prepares teacher candidates for the PreK-12 classroom and the FTCE exams. Teacher candidates will understand and apply best practices in classroom management, instructional strategies, and assessment. Graduates will qualify for a Florida Professional Teacher Certificate with a Reading Endorsement.
Alternative Certification and Renewal-Beginning Fall 2023Teachers holding a temporary certificate can enroll in specific courses to satisfy the requirements listed on the Statement of Status of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education. Contact Dr. Toreky for more information at carrie.toreky@fgc.edu.
Full Reading Endorsement – Beginning Spring 2023Teachers can earn a full Florida state-approved reading endorsement in two semesters. The full endorsement is nine credit hours.
Review the guided degree pathway where you will find a detailed plan for your courses and other requirements each semester that prepare you for graduation and your transfer goals.
Florida Gateway College Online
Classes are delivered online. Students are expected to commit one night per week from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., plus field experience.
Salaries range from $30,000 to $36,000 per year.
Graduates of the EPI program have a variety of career position opportunities to teach in PreK-12 schools in the state of Florida.
All teacher candidates are required to complete 15 hours of field experience per semester. Teacher candidates must complete the required field experience paperwork and will be assigned a mentor teacher for the duration of field experience. Teacher candidates will demonstrate his or her ability to teach through:
Field experience must take place in an approved K-12 school
Testing Requirements for Graduation
Note: Fingerprinting and a Level-2 criminal background check are required before a student may enroll in Internship courses.