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PSC > Future Students > Degrees and Programs > Educator Preparation Institute
 

EPI General Information:

 Video - Tour the EPI Website

Polk State College has partnered with the Polk County School District to offer two types of EPI accelerated training programs in the fall.

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 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 Test, Professional Ed Test, and General Knowledge Test.
Subject area test must be passed before beginning field experience. 

Participants will receive an EPI Certificate after program completion, which will include:
1. 60 ESOL in-service hours for Empowerment 
2. 60 ESOL in-service points for Cross Cultural Communication
3. Reading Endorsement Competency 2
 
* ESOL in-service points are for Polk County ONLY

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. Research Based Practices in Reading course will meet from 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m. beginning fall 2010.  See cohort schedule below. The supplemental Internet components consist of tasks/assignments based on Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, meaningful Internet discussions related to readings/assignments, an Online Portfolio Guide, News/information, grades, a dropbox for submitting tasks/assignments, and email.

EPI Course Descriptions

EPI Program Cost

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

Cohort Classes:
20102 Spring term continuing groups  (Students already enrolled in the program) 

Group Q Winter Haven and Lakeland

Group U Lakeland Dates: November 2009 - May 2010

20102 Spring Term New Cohort Groups
Group T Winter Haven and Lakeland Classes start February 2010 and end September 2010. Cohort group is full.
Mandatory New Student Orientation for Group T will be held Wednesday,
February 3, Winter Haven Student Center, WST 127, from 5:30pm - 7:00pm.

Group Z Lakeland - Classes start March 2010 and end September 2010. Cohort group is full. 
Mandatory New Student Orientation for Group Z will be held Tuesday, March 2,  Winter Haven Student Center, WST 127, from 5:30 - 7:00pm.

Group V Lake Wales - Classes begin in April 2010 and end in October 2010.
Mandatory New Student Orientation for Group V will be held Tuesday, April 6, Winter Haven Student Center, WST 127, from 5:30pm - 7:00pm.

20103 New Summer Cohort Groups - Online registration begins April 5, and In-person registration begins April 12 

Group W Winter Haven and Lakeland - Cohort group May - November 2010 on the PSC Lakeland and Winter Haven Campuses.  Mandatory new student orientation date will be held Tuesday, May 4, Winter Haven Student Center, WST127, from 5:30 - 7:00pm.

Goup X at Ridge Community High School - Cohort group May - November 2010 at Ridge Community High School, Davenport.  Mandatory new student orientation date will be held Tuesday, May 4, Winter Haven Student Center, WST127, from 5:30 - 7:00pm.

Group Y Winter Haven and Lakeland - Cohort group begins in June on the PSC Lakeland and Winter Haven Campuses. Mandatory new student orientation date will be Tuesday, June 8, Winter Haven Student Center, WST 127, from 5:30 - 7:00pm.

20103 Continuing Summer Cohort Groups

Group T PSC Winter Haven and Lakeland

Group V Lake Wales

Group Z PSC Lakeland

Enrollment Process:
Steps to Enroll in the Educator Preparation Institute


Resource Page: Information on Department of Education Certification, District Information, and FTCE Florida Teacher Certification Exams Information 

The EPI program will host a Kagan Professional Development Workshop May 22, 2010.  Click here for Registration Form

Financial Aid: Financial Aid (Pell Grant) EPI participants are eligible to apply for financial aid.  Funding is based on financial need.

Student Services: Contact Student Services for registration issues and concerns at 863-297-1010 ext. 5219 or ext. 5016. 

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

Maria Vallejo at mvallejo@polk.edu
or phone 863 297 1010 Ext. 5298

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

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

EPI Fax: 863-298-6814

 

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