The School of Education (SOE) prepares teacher-leaders to transform education in the State of Florida and in the United States. Our faculty, students, and alumni study and solve the most critical challenges facing education: teacher shortages, assessment of learning, the achievement gap, and diversity of learners, to name a few. Our programs focus upon shaping how people teach, learn and lead in educational settings.

The School of Education (SOE) Teacher Education State Approved Program completers achieve 100% pass rate on all Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE).

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The School of Education offers a combined Five-Year Masters of Education (M.Ed.) and Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree. Teacher Education candidates complete a Program of Study (POS) closely aligned with the State of Florida Statute for Teacher Certification (Statute 6A.5006). This program prepares students to teach in the State of Florida and reciprocal states. Students receive both degrees upon successful completion of the program.

  • Students in the Elementary Education Concentration, upon completion of the Program of Study (POS), receive a combined B.S. and M.Ed. degree in Elementary Education, are certified to teach in grades K-6, and receive Reading and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsements.
  • Students following the Physical Education Concentration, upon completion of the Program of Study (POS), receive a combined B.S. and M.Ed. degree in Physical Education and are certified to teach in grades K-12 settings.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Students must apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for teacher certification at http://www.fldoe.org/. A certification gained after graduating from a State Approved Teacher Education Program in the State of Florida allows students to teach in Florida and reciprocal states. Upon graduation from the School of Education State Approved Teacher Education Program, official Jacksonville University transcript provides notation of State Approved completion status.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS


All students must apply and be accepted to the Teacher Education Preparation (TEP) Program by the end of the sophomore year in the TEP Program. To be accepted into the TEP Program and continue taking TEP coursework, the following criteria must be met:

  • Undergraduate GPA 2.5 or above
  • Fingerprinting and successful background check (Duval County Public School District), must be completed by end of first month in first TEP course
  • Pass all four sections of the General Knowledge Test (Mathematics, Reading, English, & Essay)*

Requirements for application to the Graduate (Fifth-Year) program:

  • Must be a fully admitted Teacher Education student
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 and/or a score of 1000 on the GRE
  • GRE required regardless of Undergraduate GPA. However, students with Undergraduate GPAs of 2.50 to 2.99 must score a minimum of 1000 combined on the GRE examination
  • Passing score on the Subject Area Examination (Either Elementary Education, K-6 or Physical Education, K-12)*
  • Passing score on the Professional Educators Examination*
  • All courses with a prefix of EDU, ELE, and PE must have a grade of "C" or better. All courses with an asterisk (*) must have a grade of "C-" or better.
  • Submit Student Teaching Application
  • Submit Fifth Year Teacher Education Program Application

* Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) documentation must be on file in the School of Education office at time of application to the fifth-year of the program.

OMBUDSMAN
The Coordinator of Educational Programs (CEP) is the Certification Ombudsman responsible for answering questions pertaining to Florida Teacher Certification. The CEP is located in the School of Education Dean's office.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS


Requirements for the State-Approved Teacher Education Preparation Programs are as follows:

  • Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 in order to remain in good standing. If the GPA drops below a 2.50, the student is placed on academic probation for one semester. Failure to fulfill the required GPA after one (1) semester probation will result in loss of candidacy in the State Approved Program.
  • Students will be evaluated on professional disposition indicators throughout the program.
  • All courses with a prefix of EDU, ELE, and PE must have a grade of “C” or better. All classes with an asterisk (*) must have a grade of "C-" or better. The School of Education does not grant + or –grades.

FIELD EXPERIENCES
Participation in field experiences, which occur in public educational settings in Duval County and are required throughout the Teacher Preparation Program, necessitate finger printing and successful background clearance. Teacher Education Program students MUST be fingerprinted and have a cleared background check through Duval County Public Schools at the beginning of the first semester in the School of Education. The cost of the fingerprinting varies usually between $80-$120 and must be paid before the fingerprint appointment. Fingerprinting is the responsibility of the student. Field experiences are only authorized for students with a successful background check. Information pertaining to background checks are completed through the office of the CEP located in the School of Education. All field experiences are off campus at K-12 schools in Duval County and organized through the office of the CEP. Field experiences, of 10-60 hours, are required each semester as part of all Teacher Education Program classes. Additionally, students must successfully complete a full-time, student teaching internship as part of the program of study.

PROGRAM COMPLETION
Requirements for program completion are as follows:

  • Students receive both degrees (M.Ed./B.S.) at the successful completion of the M.Ed. coursework in Elementary Education and Physical Education.
  • Students must pass all state and program related examinations.
  • The Program of Study (POS) is required for Elementary Education majors. Any deviation from this plan may lead to additional semesters at Jacksonville University.
  • Transfer students and students changing majors must meet with an Education Faculty Advisor to develop a Program of Study prior to registration for Education courses.​