Admission to Teacher Education
Candidates planning to teach must apply for acceptance to the teacher education program during their sophomore year. Transfer candidates should apply upon immediate acceptance to the University. An application form (
download PDF) must be completed and returned to the Department of Education for admission consideration.
To be accepted into the teacher education program, candidates must meet
ALL of the following requirements:
- Submit a completed Teacher Education Application packet.
- Grade-point average of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in the undergraduate general curriculum distribution, and a 3.0 minimum in EDU courses.
- Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write and use computers. Must pass all sections of the Test of General Knowledge (GK).
- Completion of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree from any accredited college or university.
Based upon an intensive review, the Admission, Retention, Dismissal Committee may recommend admission, remedial study or may deny admission to the program.
No candidate will be permitted to participate in 300- or 400-level courses before they are admitted to the department.
Once admitted to the teacher education program, a candidate's grades are reviewed each semester. Continued professional standing is granted only if candidates maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and a 2.5 GPA overall.
Retention Criteria
In order to remain in good standing in the Department of Education a candidate must fulfill the following obligations:
Dispositions are assessed and are factors used to determine retention.
Junior Year - Maintain a 3.0 G.P.A or better in EDU course work. In your second semester of junior year, apply to sit for all remaining portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE): Professional Education, and Subject Area Exam. Coursework throughout the program will require candidates to provide evidence of mastery of designated Critical Candidate Performance Assessment Tasks. These evidences are flagged as UCC Critical Assessment Tasks and ESOL Core Tasks in your EDU syllabi. All UCC Tasks must be uploaded to the Live Text electronic data base for purpose of review, scoring and data tracking. Near the end of the second semester of junior year, apply for Teaching Practicum III. At the onset of the first semester senior year apply for Practicum IV: Final Internship (See catalog for application requirements).
Senior Year - In your second semester of senior year, the final internship / Teaching Practicum IV takes place. All requirements must be met to be admitted to final internship program. These requirements are: (1) Continue to maintain a minimum of a 2.5 over all GPA and a 3.0 in the major, (2) register to sit for all remaining components of the FTCE, (3) earn a minimum of acceptable/target ratings on teaching Practicum IV Evaluation, and (4) upload all targeted Critical Assessment Tasks and Core ESOL Tasks to LiveText and earn acceptable/target scores on all UCC standards measured through UCC rubrics.