K-12 Teacher Education Programs

The School of Education's K-12 Teacher Education programs prepare students for a rewarding career in the teaching profession in a multitude of subjects and grades. Our students graduate with opportunities for careers in exceptional student education, mathematics education, science education and more.

K-12 Teacher Education Programs

The School of Education’s K-12 Teacher Education programs prepare students for a rewarding career in the teaching profession. There are six programs offered: Exceptional Student Education (K-12) [plus ESOL and Reading endorsements]; Mathematics Education (6-12); and Science Education (6-12) with concentrations in Biology, Chemistry, Earth/Space Science, and Physics. All of the programs are fully approved teacher education programs that lead to Florida Department of Education professional teacher certification.

Baccalaureate Degrees
Requirements for Admissions:
Full Admission:

Associate in Arts (AA) degree, or 60 credits including all general education requirements.

Note: Associate in Science (AS) degree holders may need to take additional courses to complete the General Education requirements and cannot be fully admitted until completed.

Minimum of 2.5 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale
Testing:

Florida Teacher Certification Examination- General Knowledge Test- All four sections (Reading, Essay, Mathematics, English) passed

Completed the Common Education Prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C”

Courses:
- EDF1005 Introduction to the Teaching Profession
- EDF2085 Introduction to Diversity
- EME2040 Introduction to Educational Technology
MDC requirement: must complete EEX2000 Introduction to Special Education

Additional Requirements:

Foreign language requirement- either demonstrate completion of two consecutive years of advanced foreign language in high school (must provide transcript) or complete 8-10 credits of college coursework.
9 credits of diversity must be taken at the lower division.
Computer competency completed.
Math and Science Ed majors must complete lower division discipline course requirements.

Clinical Experience
Most courses in the K-12 Teacher Education Programs require satisfactory completion of clinical experience hours. These hours are spent in Miami-Dade County Public School classrooms. The purpose of the clinical experience is to provide real-world opportunities in actual settings for pre-service teachers to observe, assist, and teach. Students work in a variety of settings and locations to provide a wide breadth of experience. The progression of work in the schools is as follows: observing and working with individuals (lower division courses EDF1005 and EDF2085 [15 hours each]), working with small groups (Professional Education Core; Content Discipline courses [15 hours each]), Teaching whole class (Practicum [40 hours]), and Teaching as classroom teacher (Internship [full-time hours]).

LiveText
Live Text is the computer learning management system required in the SOE. It is used as the method for submission of work to professors and as our method of communication with students. Live Text must be purchased from Bookstore or Online during EME2040 and will be used throughout program to build the Florida Department of Education required teacher certification SOE E-Portfolio. Training in the proper use of Live Text is provided through the SOE in the form of workshops. Further assistance can be requested from the E-Portfolio Coordinator in both use of LiveText or in the completion of a satisfactory E-Portfolio.

Graduation Requirements

Students must see an SOE advisor to ensure that all Graduation Requirements are met before beginning internship. Requirements are based upon the year and term of entry into the SOE baccalaureate program. The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Education will be awarded to students who meet the requirements:

Coursework

Junior and Senior Years-Minimum 60 credits
“C” or better in each professional education course
Overall GPA of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
At least 30 hours at MDC

Field Experiences teaching level and type of setting
SOE E-Portfolio approved demonstrating all Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
Recommendation of the faculty of the SOE

There may be changes in these requirements based upon revisions in State certification requirements or MDC program revisions. Students must see an SOE advisor for clarification.

Getting your Florida Department of Education Teaching Certificate

In order to be eligible for a Professional Teaching Certificate from the Florida Department of Education, you must:

Successfully pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE):
- The FTCE is comprised of three parts: The General Knowledge Test (GKT), the Subject Area Examination, and the Professional Examination.
- All students must take and pass the GKT within the first 9 credits of their upper division work or they will not be allowed to proceed in the program.
- By the completion of 48 upper division credits, students must take and pass the remaining two portions of the FTCE. Students will not be allowed to intern unless they have passed all three parts of the FTCE.
Successfully complete the E-Portfolio of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs):
- All assignments in the program were designed to assist the student in developing the FEAPs E-Portfolio. The E- Portfolio is assessed as the student progresses through the program, after courses, and with major benchmarks.
- The E-Portfolio must be complete with all assignments that indicate mastery of competencies and that are well-written and conform to proper English grammar and syntax by the beginning of internship. Students whose E-Portfolio is not complete will not be allowed to intern.