Florida State University 2008-2009 General Bulletin Undergraduate Edition

College of Education

Dean: Marcy P. Driscoll; Associate Dean for Administration & Research: David Foulk; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Lynn A. Wicker.

Teacher education at Florida State University is conducted within a conceptual framework that engages faculty, professional partners, and teacher candidates in a continuing process of preparing educational leaders for our global and diverse society. Florida State University prepares educational leaders who uphold high professional and academic standards and employ scientific inquiry and assessment as a basis for the continual improvement of student learning. They address the needs and abilities of diverse students through the use of appropriate instructional strategies and technology. These qualities are developed as candidates study and work within a community of professional partners.

The primary purpose of the College of Education is to prepare teachers and a variety of human services practitioners for a wide range of educational careers. The faculty of the College of Education provides the experiences that enable students to acquire the professional competencies required by each field.

The College believes that all of its students should acquire a solid grounding in the liberal arts and an understanding of human learning and behavior and social action. The responsibility for meeting these academic goals is shared by the College of Education and its collaborative partners in other units within the University and around the State.

The College of Education offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in 13 fields of study (majors). These programs prepare students for positions primarily in elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, vocational centers, and organizations that provide counseling services, recreational services, athletic training, or instructional design.

Undergraduate Departments, Majors, and Teacher Preparation Programs

Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

School of Teacher Education

Department of Sport Management, Recreation Management, and Physical Education

Admissions Standards for University Teacher Education Programs

All teacher education programs at Florida State University are governed by State of Florida Department of Education rules and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards. These rules require that all students must meet specific criteria to be admitted into a teacher education program. See 'Planning Guide to Teacher Education Programs' later in this chapter.

In addition, early childhood education, education of students with exceptionalities, elementary education, and visual disabilities education are limited enrollment programs with capped enrollments. Students who satisfy the minimum requirements listed in this General Bulletin are not guaranteed admission to these programs. Admission to limited enrollment programs is competitive and regularly exceeds the minimum qualifications described in the next section.

Many departments have retention and exit standards that exceed normal University requirements. Refer to the department section for specific admission requirements and check with a departmental adviser.

The College of Education is committed to increasing the proportion of teacher candidates who have historically been underrepresented among Florida's public school teachers. Applicants representing such groups are encouraged to apply.

Planning Guide to Teacher Education Programs

Florida Statute 1004.04 and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066

Florida State University's teacher education programs stress the importance of democratic values and institutions, the contributions of various ethnic groups to society, and the development of individual character as a means for appreciating the diversity of a pluralistic society. Students planning to complete one of the following undergraduate teacher education programs at Florida State University must meet all the conditions listed below to be granted the baccalaureate degree.

Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs at Florida State University

Teacher Preparation General Education Requirements

Note: Students should consult with an adviser to determine how to simultaneously satisfy Florida State University liberal studies requirements and the teacher preparation general education core curriculum requirements.

State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites

The State of Florida has identified common course prerequisites for University degree programs. Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper division programs and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to these programs. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites, but may not be admitted into the program.

The following lists the common prerequisites or their substitutions necessary for admission into upper-division teacher education degree programs:

Education Core Prerequisites
  1. EDF X005
  2. EDG X701
  3. EME 2040

In addition to EDG X701, the student must take six (6) additional semester hours with an international or diversity focus. The eligible courses will be determined by the institution where the student is currently earning his or her associate in arts (AA) or baccalaureate degree. Education courses may not be used to meet these communications, mathematics, natural and/or physical science, humanities, or social science requirements. Contact department and/or adviser for details.

Department/Program Prerequisites

See department listings in the General Bulletin for each department/program's specific prerequisite requirements.

Common prerequisites and admissions criteria for state-approved teacher preparation programs are subject to revision based on changes in Section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, Public Accountability and State Approval for Teacher Preparation Programs, State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.0021, Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066, Approval of Educator Preparation Programs.

Criteria for Admission and Application to a Teacher Education Program

  1. Have at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) on all attempted college-level credits;
  2. Have a grade of "C–" or better in each required general education (liberal studies) English and each general education (liberal studies) mathematics course;
  3. Take and achieve a passing score on all sections of the CLAST (exemptions not acceptable), or the General Knowledge portion of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam;
  4. Complete an application for admission to a teacher education program in the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support, 108 Stone Building. This step is distinct from admission to the 'upper division' college or school;
  5. Be approved by the appropriate teacher education department in accordance with departmental criteria; and,
  6. Be admitted to Teacher Education, a Florida Department of Education status requirement recognizing candidate eligibility for certification (application available in 108 Stone Building); and,
  7. Receive final approval by the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support.

Note: These are minimum standards. Many programs have higher standards.

Note: There is no required minimum composite score on the ACT or the SAT for admission to Teacher Education. However, programs with limited enrollment status may require submission of the score and may use that score in determining which students will be admitted.

Subject Area Specialization/Professional Education/Clinical Experience Curricula

  1. At least thirty (30) semester hours completed in the subject specialization area as determined by the student's program;
  2. Professional education coursework to include: a) reading-literacy acquisition for the appropriate certification level; b) integrated classroom management, school safety, professional ethics, and educational law; c) human development and learning; and, d) assessment to include understanding the content measured by state achievement tests, reading and interpreting data, and using data to improve student achievement; and,
  3. A series of clinical experiences in diverse settings throughout the program that culminates with a full-time student teaching experience of at least 10 weeks duration in an approved setting.

Note: Students should consult with a program adviser for specific course requirements.

Program Completion Requirements for Teacher Candidates

Students must complete the following requirements to graduate from a teacher education program:

  1. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or above in all upper-division course work (some programs may require a higher GPA);
  2. Demonstrate achievement of standards and completion of specific course work requirements set by the program;
  3. Meet all University graduation requirements, including requirements mentioned above under 'Planning Guide to Teacher Education Programs;'
  4. Achieve a passing score on the General Knowledge, Professional Skills, Subject Area portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) prior to completion of program requirements;
  5. Successfully complete the student teaching experience including successful demonstration of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) at the pre-professional level;
  6. Receive verification from the appropriate academic program of successful demonstration of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) at the pre-professional level, which includes the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to help all students learn; and,
  7. Obtain final approval of the appropriate academic program and the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support.

Recommendation for a Teaching Certificate

Upon completion of an approved teacher education program and conferral of a degree from Florida State University, students are eligible to receive a recommendation for a standard teaching certificate.

Honors Program

The College of Education offers honors in the major work in several departmental and interdepartmental programs. For requirements and other information, see the "University Honors Office and Honor Societies" chapter of this General Bulletin.

Professional Training Option

The College of Education offers a Florida Department of Education-approved Professional Training Option (PTO) for undergraduates majoring in the middle and secondary education content areas such as English, mathematics, the pure sciences, and the social sciences. If the student is considering Alternative Certification as a post-baccalaureate career option, completion of the PTO provides fifteen (15) credit hours of educational methods and pedagogy that, at the discretion of the Florida Bureau of Educator Certification, may be used in partial fulfillment of the requirements for professional licensure in one of the middle and secondary (grades 6 through 12) certification areas. The PTO is constituted as a 15-hour "minor" with five courses offered by the School of Teacher Education:

  1. EDF4430, Classroom Assessments (3)
  2. EDF4210, Educational Psychology: Developing Learners (3)
  3. RED4335, Content Area Reading for Secondary School Teachers (3)
  4. LAE4930r, Special Topics: General Teaching Methods (3)
  5. LAE4930r, Special Topics: Specialized Teaching Methods (3)

Note: The 'Special Topics' designation for the two LAE courses above; no substitutions are permitted. Successful completion of the PTO requires grades of "C" or better in each required course AND, as a co-requisite, conferral of the Bachelor's degree from Florida State University.

Permission to register for individual courses in the PTO should be obtained from the Instructor and his/her respective department. Availability of seats is limited and academic departments reserve the right to restrict methods and pedagogy courses to students formally admitted students in their respective programs. Be advised that the College makes no commitment as to the rotation and availability of individual courses in the PTO, and, as such, cannot guarantee that any student who has began course work in the PTO will necessarily be allowed to complete it. To be recognized as a completer of the state-approved Professional Training Option and receive the concordant transcript statement, students must apply in person, no later than the tenth week of the semester, to the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS), 108 Stone Building. OASIS will verify student credentials for the PTO at that time and communicate to the University Registrar the student's eligibility to receive the 'Statement of PTO Completion' on his or her final transcript.

Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS)

The Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS) provides a wide array of professional and administrative services to students and faculty in the College and throughout the University. Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, OASIS is responsible for (1) providing centralized academic advisement for Basic Division students interested in majoring in education; (2) collecting and processing applications for admission and readmission to the College of Education; (3) maintaining the Dean's academic records for all students formally admitted to COE programs; (4) monitoring students' progress toward the degree; (5) collecting and processing applications for admission to Teacher Education programs; (6) conducting graduation checks and clearing students for teacher certification; and, (7) for providing other consultative and administrative services for the students and faculty in the College.

OASIS is also responsible for the assignment and placement of teacher candidates in their final-term student teaching experiences. The Student Teaching Coordinator works with teacher education programs in the University and the public schools of Florida in the organization of student-teaching placements and the selection of supervising teachers for candidate internships. Faculty members work closely with supervising teachers and candidates in the planning and coordination of the student teaching experience. OASIS is responsible for the final identification and screening of all students who make application for student teaching.

Students are assigned to the student teaching experience in the counties listed below. Academic programs have the discretion to establish a minimum group size of two or more student teachers per county. Academic programs may also restrict placement to particular counties. Exceptions to this policy will be made only through successful appeal on the part of a student to the University Student Teaching Appeals Committee. Candidates representing communication disorders, visual disabilities, music, school media, and family and consumer sciences will also be concentrated in those counties listed but may be placed in additional locations should program certification requirements so dictate.

Placement Locations

Academic programs are expected to inform their students of departmental placement policies well in advance of the semester of student teaching so that students may have the opportunity to plan appropriately.

Applicants are specifically not guaranteed assignment to their home county nor to the immediate and general vicinity of the campus. Submission of an application by a candidate constitutes an agreement to accept assignment in the school and county where it is determined that the candidate's academic program objectives for student teaching can best be achieved.

A candidate is expected to meet professional standards as expressed in the pertinent school laws of the state of Florida. Candidates are also informed that, consistent with applicable law, information pertaining to all matters of public record, such as arrest and/or convictions in a court of law, may be routinely furnished to public schools as well as prospective employers. Finally, fingerprinting, drug testing, and background checks may be required for placement in some counties.

Application to Student Teaching

An application to student teaching must be submitted to OASIS, 108 Stone Building, according to the following schedule:

Spring Semester 3rd Monday of September (preceding Fall term)
Fall Semester 2nd Monday of February (preceding Spring term)

Note: Application materials are available only online at http://www.coe.fsu.edu/oce/stforms.html. In addition, all student teachers are required to purchase a student teaching handbook for their cooperating teacher.

Eligibility Requirements for Internship Placement

To be eligible for final field placement as a student teacher, candidates must complete the following steps:

  1. Admission to teacher education outlined above under 'Criteria for Admission and Application to a Teacher Education Program';
  2. Successful completion of at least one semester of residence at Florida State University;
  3. Successful completion of subject area specialization and professional education coursework outlined above under 'Subject Area Specialization/Professional Education/Clinical Experience Curricula' prior to student teaching;
  4. Achievement of an overall GPA of 2.5 in all upper-division course work (a higher GPA may be required by some academic programs for particular core courses);
  5. Achievement of senior status; and,
  6. Successful completion of specific clinical experiences as required by the program or University (see http://www.coe.fsu.edu/OCE/future.html).

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