School of Education

Educator Preparation Institute (EPI)

Teacher with elementary school students

The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is an intensive competency-based alternative pathway to teacher certification. Through an accelerated program, individuals who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree in a non-Education major can satisfy the requirements to receive a professional teaching certificate from the state of Florida.

While students enrolled in the EPI program can obtain certification in any of the areas offered by the Florida Department of Education, areas of high-need include: Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Mathematics Education (6-12), Science Education (6-12), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (K-12). MDC SOE’S EPI has been ranked No. 1 in the State of Florida in terms of positive impact on P-12 student learning!

The EPI is a seven-course program (21 credits) that can be completed in one year. The program adheres to rigorous standards and includes clinical experience. Please note: the EPI program must be completed in its entirety for certification. Classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays.

Program Components

  1. Coursework (all 21 credits must be completed)
  2. Florida Teacher Certification Examination:
  3. All three sections of the General Knowledge Test
  4. Subject Area Examination
  5. Professional Examination
  6. Electronic Portfolio - Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
  7. Support and Professional Development Workshops
  8. Mentoring and Coaching
  9. School of Education Completion Ceremony
  10. Miami Dade College Graduation

Program of Study

  • EPI0001  Classroom Management
  • EPI0002  Instructional Strategies
  • EPI0003  Technology
  • EPI0004  Teaching and Learning
  • EPI0010  Research Based Practices in Reading
  • EPI0020  Professional Foundations
  • EPI0030  Diversity
  • EPI0945  Field Experience I
  • EPI0940  Field Experience II

Admission Requirements:

  1. Earned bachelor’s degree or higher in non-education major from a regionally accredited institution or higher education or a foreign degree evaluated and deemed equivalent
  2. Admission to Miami Dade College
  3. Completed EPI Application and EPI Agreement
  4. Official college transcript reflecting conferral of degree
  5. Current Statement of Status of Eligibility or Temporary Certificate from the Florida Department of Education
  6. Two recommendation forms completed by current or former employer/supervisor, professor, or colleague
  7. Background clearance (see “Fingerprinting”)
  8. Completed field experiences appropriate to individual educational plan.
  9. Mastered the FEAPs and evidenced in electronic portfolio.
  10. Passed the FTCE:
    • Professional Examination
    • Subject Area.
  11. Satisfied all financial and programmatic obligations to MDC

Institutional Credit, Transfer Credit, and Certificate of Completion:

EPI courses earn “institutional credit.” This credit is recognized by the FLDOE only for the purpose of determining that all EPI coursework requirements have been met for teacher certification in Florida. While EPI course credit may be transferable to other EPI programs in Florida, it cannot be transferred to a degree program. However, occasionally, courses substitutions can be made for education courses for which traditional credit was earned. A SOE advisor can provide details regarding transfer of credits and course substitutions.

Obtaining a Statement of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE)

  1. Apply to the FLDOE online, or
  2. Contact the FLDOE, Bureau of Educator Certification for an application: edcert@fldoe.org, 800-445-6739
  3. Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions
  4. Submit payment for each subject area in which you are applying for certification

Applications may also be obtained from local school district offices

Program Completion

MDC SOE EPI Program will submit the Certificate of Completion (form CT-133) to the Florida Department of Education on behalf of a program completer once he/she has:

  1. Current Statement of Status of Eligibility from FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification showing eligibility for certification or a Temporary Certificate that has expired within the last 365 days.
  2. Completed each EPI course with a passing grade of C or higher
  3. Earned a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale