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 teacher candidate 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 to prepare for the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) in Professional Preparation and Education Competence. The teacher candidates must also demonstrate General Knowledge and Subject Area Competence.

The EPI Program is offered as a fully online program. There are seven courses and two field experience components included in the program. Teacher candidates can complete the program in less than a year. Teacher candidates must pass all three FTCE exams to complete the program and receive a five-year Florida Professional Teaching Certificate.

Teacher candidates must enroll at Polk State College and designate the Educator Preparation Institute as their program of study. Teacher candidates 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.

The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program at Polk State College meets requirements for teacher certification in the state of Florida. However, a candidate may reside in another state while enrolled in the program.  If residing out of state, it is the candidate’s responsibility to contact the entity responsible for teacher certification in the residing state to determine if there are additional requirements needed to receive teacher certification.  If assistance is needed, contact the EPI office at 863.292.3642.