Educator Preparation Institute
Alternative Teacher Certification Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Q – How long is the program?

A – The program is designed so that individuals can complete the coursework in two semesters if they attend full-time. By full-time we mean 9 credits one semester and 12 credits a second semester. We recommend that candidates take into consideration all personal responsibilities (family, work, etc) before choosing to attend full-time. The program is a post-baccalaureate certificate. The coursework is comparable to graduate level courses. We want all students to excel in the courses and therefore we urge students to go at a pace that is comfortable to them.

Q – The program is fully on-line. What does that mean?

A – The EPI courses are delivered through an online format called WebCT. Individual instructors may choose to meet face-to-face at the beginning of the semester for an orientation. The orientations will either be in the evening or on a Saturday morning. The EPI0940 and EPI0945 courses require students to meet on campus once a month throughout the semester. These class meetings will be held in the evenings. All necessary coursework will be submitted through WebCT.

Students will receive an initial WebCT login ID and password when they register for their first course. The courses are in 6, 8 or 16 week sessions. The assignments and due dates are determined by the class instructor. Students will submit assignments within WebCT (similar to attaching a document to an email). Students are also required to participate in weekly discussions using the discussion board feature in WebCT. All courses do have an instructor and the instructor is accessible by phone and email. The instructor will also have office hours on campus if a student chooses to meet in person.

For more information about online learning please visit BCC’s Flexible Learning department website - http://www.broward.edu/flexible/index.jsp.

Q - What is the cost of the program and is Financial Aid available?

A – The total cost of the program (tuition, fees, and books) is approximately $2100. Please keep in mind this can change due to an increase in tuition and/or books. Students can apply for financial aid. The aid is based on need. At this time, there are no scholarship opportunities, however we are exploring various possibilities and will update our website accordingly.

Q – What does my undergraduate degree need to be in?

A – The EPI program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in any field other than education. The program prepares students to enter the classroom. The program does not cover any one specific subject area. It is the responsibility of the student to take and pass their specific subject area exam in order to be eligible to teach that subject. There are test prep guides available for the subject area exams at the Florida Department of Education FTCE website - http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/ftce/ftceguid.htm.

Q – What is a Statement of Eligibility (SOE)? How do I obtain the SOE? When do I need the SOE?

A – Any individual who wants to teach in the state of Florida must first apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for their Statement of Eligibility (SOE). The individual applies for the SOE online at - http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/steps.asp. On the application the individual must identify which subject area(s) they would like to teach. In addition to completing the application, the individual must send official transcript(s) to the FLDOE for review. Based solely on the transcript(s), the FLDOE will determine if the individual is eligible to teach the specified subject area(s).

The SOE will list what the individual needs to do in order to obtain both the temporary certificate (3 year non-renewable) and the professional certificate (5 year renewable). If deemed not-eligible, the individual can chose to either take the applicable subject area exam (SAE) OR complete additional coursework in that subject. If the individual takes and passes the SAE, the SOE will automatically be updated to “eligible” status and a new SOE will be issued.

We encourage students to apply for the SOE as soon as possible, however it is not necessary before applying to the EPI program. All EPI students are required to obtain a valid (eligible status) SOE prior to completing the program.

Q – When I complete the program am I eligible for my professional teaching certificate?

A – The EPI program satisfies the following requirements on your Statement of Eligibility (SOE)–

Completion of a Florida approved Professional Education Competence demonstration system Additional semester hours in education courses which must include at least: 6 semester hours in general methods, curriculum, school administration or school supervision 4 semester hours in teaching (subject area and grade level) The Practical Teaching Experience requirement by completing two years of full-time teaching experience Students are still required to take and pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) before they are issued their professional teaching certificate. The FTCE include the General Knowledge Exam, the Subject Area Exam and the Professional Educator Exam.

Q – If I am currently working full-time as a teacher on my temporary certificate can I participate in the program? Also, since I am already teaching full-time do I need to take the Field Experience courses?

A – We welcome all individuals currently working full-time on a temporary certificate to apply to our program. All EPI students are required to take the two Field Experience courses regardless if the student is already teaching full-time. It is possible (not guaranteed) for students teaching full-time to complete their Field Experience hours at the school they are teaching.

Q – How do I apply to the program?

A – The EPI application process has three steps.

1. Individuals must apply to BCC via www.facts.org and send official transcripts to the BCC’s Transcript Department.
   
2. Individuals then need to apply to the EPI program - www.broward.edu/survey/epiapplication.htm.
   
3. Once the individual has completed both the BCC and EPI applications AND the transcripts have been received and evaluated, the individual will be contacted by the EPI office for an interview.
   

The application deadline dates are June 15 (August start), November 15 (January start), and April 15 (May start).

Q – Why do EPI applicants need to be interviewed?

A – Florida has a growing need for teachers. However, not everyone can be an effective teacher. The FLDOE requires we interview all EPI applicants to make sure they do have the disposition of an effective teacher. Some characteristics we are looking for are:

Sensitivity to community and cultural norms A willingness to work with other professionals to improve student learning Respect for students as individuals An awareness of all aspects of a child’s well-being The ability to establish a positive classroom environment Commitment to continued professional development Effective verbal and non-verbal communication Enthusiasm for teaching

Q – Are the EPI courses transferable?

A – The EPI program is a post-baccalaureate certificate program. The courses are credit-based courses; however the credits are not transferable to another higher education institution. If an EPI student moves to another county in Florida and chooses to continue to purse a teaching certificate, the EPI courses completed at BCC can be “transported” to another EPI program at the local community college.

Q – Does BCC help the EPI students with job placement?

A – The EPI office will offer workshops throughout the semester addressing the Broward County Public School (BCPS) instructional application process as well as resume and interviewing techniques. The EPI office does not partake in the hiring process. All hiring decisions are made by the BCPS Instructional Staffing department and the individual school Principals.

Q – I have passed all sections of the FTCE. Do I still need to complete the EPI program?

A – In order to obtain a professional teaching certificate, an individual needs to pass all sections of the FTCE as well as a Florida approved Professional Education Competence demonstration system (the EPI program).