Skip navigation links
Associate in Arts
Associate in Science and Applied Science
Bachelor's Degrees
Distance Learning
K-12 Reading Endorsement
Educator Preparation Institute
High School Programs
Honors Program
Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety
Basic Course Information
Certificate Programs
Gainful Employment
Career Pathways

Educator Preparation Institute

Welcome! Polk State College has partnered with the Polk County School District to offer two types of EPI accelerated
training:
1. Newly hired teachers who have a four-year degree and did not major in education.
2. Professionals (Non-Teachers) who have a four-year degree and did not major in education and are not currently
teaching.

This program will satisfy professional preparation and professional education competence (PEC) for the Florida
Professional Certificate. Through the Institute, people with bachelors' degrees and teaching aspirations can receive
teacher certification designed to give them the skills they need to become highly qualified teachers in a fraction of
the time required for a traditional education degree. Applicant priority will be given to students interested in teaching
high-need subject areas and specializations.

Participants must pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE), which include the Subject Area Exam,
Professional Ed Exam, and General Knowledge Exam. Subject area Exam must be passed before beginning field
experience.

Participants will receive an EPI Certificate and Reading Competency 2 Endorsement after program completion. If
teaching in Polk County,
participant will also receive:
1. 60 ESOL in-service hours for Curriculum and Materials Development
2. 60 ESOL in-service points for Cross Cultural Communication
The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program at Polk State College is a combination of face-2-face and Internet classes. The face-2-face classes meet two times a month from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. See cohort schedule below. The supplemental Internet components consist of tasks/assignments based on Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP's), meaningful Internet discussions related to readings/assignments,educational resources, news/information, FEAP's quizzes, grades, a dropbox for submitting tasks/assignments, and email.

Explore the tabs below for additional information.

 Application/Registration


Application/Registration
Download Adobe reader to view links below

  Steps to Enroll (Print "steps to enroll" to begin the admission process.)
  Education Plan Entrance Interview
  Student Services Registration Issues/Concerns

 Courses/Cost


Courses/Cost

Course Description  

Program Cost (Cost increase effective August 2011)

 Schedule


Schedule

Teachers and Non-Teachers:
Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) has cohort groups beginning at different locations and dates during the year.

 

Spring Schedule below - Starting January 2012

  • Continuing Group AH - Winter Haven and Lakeland 

 

Summer Schedule - available in March 2012

 Workshops

 Resources/DOE/Testing


Resources/DOE/Testing

Below is information on steps to Florida Teacher Certification, FEAP's, Florida Teacher Certification Exams, and purchasing FTCE study books.

Florida Department of Education's website www.fldoe.org provides information on a wealth of educational topics, links to important sites, and contact names, numbers and email addresses.

Steps to Florida Teacher Certification: http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/steps.asp
or Office Mailing Address

Florida Department of Education
Bureau of Educator Certification
Suite 201, Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Telephone Service: Toll-Free Number: 800-445-6739

Moving from the Temporary to the Professional Certificate
http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/

Certification Application Fee:
http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/fee.asp

Certification for degrees outside the United States: http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/foreign.asp

Florida Education Accomplished Practices (FEAPS) University of South Florida's web site for the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. It will help you understand and apply the Accomplished Practices for Florida Teachers at the Preprofessional Level.

The Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) is composed of three tests: Professional Education, General Knowledge, and Subject Area Exams. Depending upon your background, you may need to take one, two, or three of the tests.

Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) information and registration.

FTCE Certification Examinations for Florida Educators: Test dates and registration information for FTCE test
http://www.fl.nesinc.com/

Free FTCE Practice Test
http://www.testprepreview.com/ftce_practice.htm  

Polk State College Bookstore – Purchase FTCE Study Guide Books (General Knowledge, Professional Education, and some Subject Area Test

 Financial Aid


Financial Aid

EPI participants are eligible to apply for financial aid. Funding is based on financial need.

 Contact Us


Contact Us

Educator Preparation Institute
Polk State College
999 Avenue H NE
Station #25
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299

EPI Office Location:  Winter Haven Student Center, WST 128

EPI Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

EPI Fax: 863-298-6814

EPI Office Staff:

Maria Vallejo at mvallejo@polk.edu
or phone 863 298-6870

Sherri Davis at sherrid@polk.edu
or phone 863-298-6812

Beverly Woolery at bwoolery@polk.edu
or phone 863-292-3642

 Reading Endorsement


Reading Endorsement

Follow the link to the left for the K-12 Reading Endorsement website.

 ‭(Hidden)‬ EasyTabs

Privacy | Sitemap | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Get ADOBE READER      ©2009 Polk State College, All rights reserved. Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Employer