Apr 09, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Professional Training Option Minor


The Professional Training Option (PTO) is approved by the Florida Department of Education to provide professional preparation according to Rule 6A-5.066, F.A.C., for those who seek an approved alternative route to Florida Certification. The minor builds understanding of learners and learning for those earning a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than education. The program complements discipline expertise by building knowledge and skills of effective teaching. The PTO minor provides rigorous instruction in creating a safe learning environment in classrooms, effective instructional planning and teaching strategies for diverse learners, and using assessment data to inform instruction with field experiences incorporated into coursework. 

Graduation Requirements for the Program


Certification requires submission of transcripts to the Florida Department of Education and passing scores on the General Knowledge Test, Professional Education Test and appropriate Subject Area portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE). For more on testing, please see www.fl.nesinc.com.

Minor Requirements (15 credit hours)


GPA Requirements


  • An overall minimum GPA of 2.50 on all attempted hours.
  • A minimum 2.5 GPA is required in all coursework.

Grading Requirements


A minimum grade of C- is required in all coursework.

Advising Information


Contact: USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Advising
Email: SAR-Advising@usf.edu
Website: https://www.sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/academics/academic-resources/academic-advising/ or
Website: https://www.usf.edu/education/undergraduate/minor-professional-teaching-option.aspx

To schedule an advising appointment:

Prospective or current students with an active UID can schedule an appointment online: https://usf.appiancloud.com/suite/sites/archivum/page/archivum/report/daQEig

Prospective students who have not yet applied or students who are inactive (e.g., dismissed or not enrolled for 3 consecutive terms) should contact the appropriate advising location in their intended major: https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/students/advising.aspx