State-Approved Program with Reading and ESOL Endorsements
This degree program is a state-approved program that leads to both the Reading Endorsement and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Endorsement. Upon successful completion of the program, teacher candidates are eligible for the endorsements on their Florida teaching certificate.
Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved educator preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE).
Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved educator preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.
University Admissions - College of Education
Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following URLs:
Admission Requirements - Educator Preparation Programs
Educator preparation programs are ideal for students who wish to become classroom teachers as these programs are designed to result in eligibility for teacher certification in the state of Florida. Students seeking admission are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in the college on their home campus.
Effective July 1, 2021, the State of Florida changed college admission requirements regarding the General Knowledge Test (GKT). The GKT is no longer required for admission to an educator preparation program. However, the college advises students to prepare for and pass the GKT upon declaring their major in education.
Students seeking admission into any of our educator preparation programs must satisfy the following:
- Successful admission to the University of South Florida
- Complete the University of South Florida’s Enhanced General Education requirements (see General Education Information in the catalog)
- Students with an AA degree from a Florida public institution will meet all general education requirements. However, general education courses with a grade below C- will need to be repeated for a grade of C- or better to fulfill prerequisites for the College of Education.
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Complete or be currently enrolled in appropriate prerequisite coursework for the student’s intended major.
- Submit a College of Education application.
For former students returning to the college after being inactive, please be aware of the Time Limit for Coursework policy under Additional Information.
Graduation Requirements - Educator Preparation Programs
The College of Education strives to ensure students graduate in a timely fashion and without incurring unnecessary debt. To graduate, students should take the following steps:
- Meet with your academic advisor each semester to review your progress toward degree
- Successfully complete all state, university, and program requirements
- Earn 120 credit hours
- Earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.5
- Complete any required certification exams*
- Apply to graduate
* Students seeking to graduate from a state-approved educator preparation program with embedded Reading and ESOL endorsements must attain passing scores on all portions of the FTCE.
Students who graduate prior to attaining passing scores on all portions of the FTCE will not receive the state-approved educator preparation program with respective endorsements statement on their official transcript.
Required Courses: (77 credit hours)
State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Education B.S. (3 credit hours)
Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program.
Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.
Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C- is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.
- EDF X005 Introduction to Education – 3 credit hours
State Mathematics Pathway – Education B.S. (6 Credit Hours)
The Education B.S. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:
Major Requirements Courses: 22 courses; 68 credit hours
Professional Education Courses: 9 courses; 32 credit hours
Specialization Courses: 13 courses; 36 credit hours
Additional Information - Education B.S.
GPA Requirement
Once admitted, students must maintain a 2.5 or higher overall GPA and earn a 2.5 or higher in all upper-level coursework in the major including Core and Specialization courses. If a student falls below 2.50 GPA they may be dismissed and/or may be required to meet with the departmental Professional Standards Committee.
Grading Requirement
Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in all required courses to progress to the following semester or they may be dismissed and/or required to meet with departmental Professional Standards Committee.
Residency Requirements
A student must complete 32 hours of major coursework at USF to meet residency requirements.
Time Limit for Coursework - College of Education
The College of Education reserves the right to determine whether courses five years or older can be applied toward a degree based on the following guidelines:
- Courses completed within the last five years may be accepted toward graduation.
- Courses completed over five years but less than ten years ago must have the approval of the chairperson from the department in which the equivalent course is taught.
- Courses completed ten years ago or longer will count as elective credit only toward graduation.
Other Information
Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per state legislative mandates, Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.
Students will be required to pay for costs in addition to tuition, fees, and books such as:
- Transportation to and from school sites required in courses and internships
- Criminal background checks and fingerprinting for internships
- Assignments in some classes (e.g., printing/binding of group project reports, academic and professional portfolio, digital recording equipment, etc.)
Internship Experience - Education B.S.
Qualifications for Internship Experience
The final internship experience involves observing and teaching both in an elementary and exceptional education classroom. Internship sites include the entire spectrum of educational settings available in the local school districts served by USF. Students may not enroll in additional courses during the semester in which the final internship occurs. Special requirements for enrollment in the final internship and seminar courses are:
- Completion of General Education, “State Communication and State Mathematics Requirements -formerly Gordon Rule,” and all other program prerequisites (includes passing all sections of the General Knowledge Test, GKT) prior to the first internship.
- Documentation of passing scores on all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), (General Knowledge Test, Subject Area Exam in both Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education, and Professional Education) prior to the college-stated deadline.
- Completion of an application for the final internship by the posted deadlines. Applications for final internship are available through a COE Internship Application Portal in Canvas. Completion of all professional education and specialization course work.
- A combined grade point average of 2.5 in professional education and specialization course work as well as an overall USF GPA of 2.5.
- Students must earn a “C-” grade or higher in required major courses. S/U grades will not apply toward qualifying for internship.
- Students must complete all other requirements as prescribed by their program.
- Some school districts have additional requirements, which must also be met by the application deadlines. Please contact the Internship Coordinator for information related to Hillsborough and Hernando school districts.
- Interns are guests of the school districts in which they are placed and as such they may be removed from their placement with or without cause by either the school or the college. If students are asked to leave their schools for any reason, the college is under no obligation to find another placement until the following semester and/or until remediation activities have taken place.
Internship Application Requirements and Dates of Importance
Complete online applications by the deadline date (see below under Final Internship. (Late Applications will not be accepted).
Fingerprinting Information
All school districts in Florida require students to complete the fingerprinting process prior to beginning date of internships. The cost of the fingerprinting process is the sole responsibility of the intern. Most Florida school districts screen in accordance with Florida Statute 435.03 or 435.04. Pinellas County uses 435.04 (Level 2) screening standard. Be sure to consult school district policy for the district in which you will be interning.
Program Portfolio Requirements
The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) and the National Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards through the CAEP Accreditation system require all accredited programs to document individual student performance based on state and national standards. Students are required to demonstrate their achievement of state standards with portfolio assessment one time during coursework and one time during final internship. This program requires Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and ESOL Competencies portfolios. Students are required to upload their critical assignments to the Campus Folio system for instructors to grade. Students must reach 80% proficiency on all critical assignments to pass the course. This is indicated in the course syllabi and each submission is evaluated by the course instructor. The entire portfolio process will be introduced during EDG 4012 – the Standards Based Education course.
Research Opportunities - College of Education
Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.
Plans of Study - Education (ESOL and Reading Endorsements) B.S.
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