Program: F9025

The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is a competency based certification program for mid-career professionals and college graduates who were not education majors. A participant with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university who has a desire to teach in K-12 public schools in Florida may enter the EPI Program, which consists of competency-based instruction, to prepare for the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) in Professional Preparation and Education Competence. The participants must also demonstrate General Knowledge and Subject Area Competence.

The EPI Program is offered fully online or in a hybrid format (combination of face-to-face and Internet classes) that meets two Saturdays a month. There are seven courses and two field experience components included in the program.  Participants can complete the program in less than a year. Participants must pass all three FTCE exams to complete the program and receive a five-year Florida Professional Teaching Certificate.

Participants must enroll at Polk State College and designate the Educator Preparation Institute as their program of study. Participants in the program can register online in PASSPORT for the courses. Institutional credit is earned for all program courses; this credit is only transferable to other colleges in Florida that offer an EPI program.

Students are encouraged to visit the EPI website for additional information at www.polk.edu/epi.