College of Education
Undergraduate
Dean: Damon Andrew; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Amy R. Guerette; Associate Dean for Faculty Development: Robert Erklund; Associate Dean for Research: Joshua Newman
The College of Education offers undergraduate and combined-degree pathways leading to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in seven fields of study (majors).
Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Certificates, and Educator Preparation Programs
Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
- Certificate in Leadership Studies, Undergraduate
School of Teacher Education
- Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Undergraduate
- Elementary Education (BS) – Panama City Campus
- Elementary Education (Combined BS/MS Pathway)
- English Education (Combined BS/MS Pathway)
- FSU-Teach Program in Secondary Science or Mathematics Teaching
- Social Science Education (Combined BS/MS Pathway)
- Special Education Teaching (Combined BS/MS Pathway)
- Visual Disabilities Education (Combined BS/MS Pathway)
Department of Sport Management
- Sport Management
Admissions Standards for University Educator Preparation Programs
All educator preparation programs at Florida State University are governed by Florida Statute, Section 1004.04 Public Accountability and State approval for Teacher Preparation Programs and State Board of Education Rules. These rules require that all students must meet specific criteria to be admitted into an educator preparation program. See 'Planning Guide to Educator Preparation Programs' later in this chapter.
All undergraduate Educator Preparation programs in the College of Education are limited access 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.
All educator preparation programs have retention and exit standards that exceed normal University requirements. Refer to the department section for specific admission requirements and check with a departmental advisor.
Planning Guide to Educator Preparation Programs
Inventory of State-Approved Programs
The following College of Education graduate programs have been approved by the Florida Department of Education (DOE) as Initial Certification Educator Preparation Programs:
- Elementary Education (Certification Area: Elementary Education grades K-6 with endorsements in ESOL and Reading)
- English Teaching (Certification Area: English grades 6–12 with an endorsement in ESOL and Reading)
- Special Education Teaching (Certification Area: Exceptional Student Education grades K–12 with endorsements in ESOL, Autism and Reading)
- Visual Disabilities (Certification Area: Visual Impairment grades K–12)
- Social Science Teaching (Certification Area: Social Science grades 6–12)
The following undergraduate programs have been approved by the DOE as Initial Certification Educator Preparation Programs; they are listed with the name of the Florida State University College in which they are located:
- Applied Geosciences/FSU Teach (Certification Area: Earth-Space Science grades 6–12), College of Arts and Sciences
- Biology/FSU Teach (Certification Area: Biology grades 6–12), College of Arts and Sciences
- Chemical Science/FSU Teach (Certification Area: Chemistry grades 6–12), College of Arts and Sciences
- Environmental Science/FSU Teach (Certification Area: Earth-Space Science grades 6–12), College of Arts and Sciences
- Computer Science (Certification Area: Mathematics grades 6-12), College of Arts and Sciences
- Mathematics/FSU Teach (Certification Area: Mathematics grades 6–12), College of Arts and Sciences
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathways in Educator Preparation
All undergraduate Educator Preparation programs in the College of Education are combined BS/MS degree pathways. The BS/MS pathway requires two years of undergraduate upper-division coursework plus one additional year of graduate coursework. Admission to the graduate portion of the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway requires a 3.00 upper-division undergraduate GPA.
Students admitted to a Combined Bachelor's/Master's Pathway will earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in their chosen major.
Undergraduate Educator Preparation Programs at Florida State University
- FSU-Teach Program (double major with College of Arts & Sciences for those who wish to teach mathematics and/or science, grades 6–12)
- Music Education (College of Music)
General Education Requirements
Students should consult with an advisor to determine how to simultaneously satisfy Florida State University liberal studies requirements and educator preparation general education core curriculum requirements.
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites
The state of Florida has identified common program prerequisites for this University degree program. Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.
At the time this document was published, some common program prerequisites were being reviewed by the state of Florida and may have been revised. Please visit https://dlss.flvc.org/admin-tools/common-prerequisites-manuals for a current list of state-approved prerequisites.
The following lists the common program prerequisites or their substitutions, necessary for admission into these upper-division degree program:
Education Core Prerequisites
EDF X005
SMT X043 (FSU-Teach)
SMT X053 (FSU-Teach)
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 educator preparation programs are subject to revision based on changes in the following:
- Section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, Public Accountability and State Approval for Educator 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 to Educator Preparation
School of Teacher Education
- Have at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all attempted college-level coursework
- Completion of at least sixty credit hours of college-level coursework
- Completion of FSU Liberal Studies curriculum or Florida AA degree. Out of state transfer students should contact the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS) to determine eligibility for admission.
- Completion of FSU Oral Competency requirement
- Completion of FSU Computer Skills Competency requirement
- Completion of FSU Diversity requirement
- Completion of FSU Scholarly and Formative Experience requirement
- Completion of FSU Civic Literacy requirement
- Completion of FSU Natural Science Lab requirement
- Have a grade of "C–" or better in each required general education (liberal studies) English and each general education (liberal studies) mathematics course
- Complete an application for admission to Educator Preparation. The application is available online at https://education.fsu.edu/teacher-ed-admissions. This step is distinct from admission to the 'upper division' college or school.
FSU-Teach Program in Secondary Science or Math
- Have at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all attempted college-level coursework
- Have a grade of "C–" or better in each required general education (liberal studies) English and each general education (liberal studies) mathematics course
- Complete an application for admission to Educator Preparation. The application is available online at https://education.fsu.edu/teacher-ed-admissions. This step is distinct from admission to the 'upper division' college or school.
College of Music
- Have at least a 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average (GPA) on all attempted college-level coursework
- Have a grade of "C–" or better in each required general education (liberal studies) English and each general education (liberal studies) mathematics course
- Complete an application for admission to Educator Preparation. The application is available online at https://education.fsu.edu/teacher-ed-admissions. This step is distinct from admission to the 'upper division' college or school.
Clinical Experience
- A series of clinical experiences in diverse settings throughout the program that culminates with a full-time student teaching experience of at least ten weeks duration in an approved setting; and
- A Level II Security Check is required for all FSU students who will have direct contact with PreK-12 students. Students should be aware that if you have been arrested for certain crimes you may not be considered for a teaching position. Fingerprinting and Level II-background clearance are required for any placement in a PreK-12 setting.
Note: Students should consult with a program advisor for specific course requirements.
Professional Behaviors and Dispositions
While enrolled in an educator preparation program, the student is expected to demonstrate positive behaviors and dispositions that conform to the "Principles of Professional Conduct in Florida" (State Board of Education Rule 6A10.081 FAC). The programs reserve the right to refuse or discontinue enrollment of any student who violates these expectations or in the judgment of a majority of the program faculty does not meet the program standards. Information on professional behaviors and dispositions can be found on the Educator Preparation Website: https://education.fsu.edu/educator-preparation.
Application to Student Teaching
An application to student teaching must be submitted to OASIS, 2301 Stone Building. Application materials, the Student Teaching Calendar, and the Student Teaching Handbook are only available online at https://education.fsu.edu/educator-preparation.
Eligibility Requirements for Student Teaching Placement
To be eligible for final field placement as a student teacher, candidates must complete the following steps:
- Admission to teacher education outlined above under 'Criteria for Admission and Application to Educator Preparation'
- Successful completion of at least one semester of residence at Florida State University
- Successful completion of all required courses prior to the student-teaching semester
- Successful completion of major coursework and professional education coursework outlined above under 'Clinical Experience' prior to student teaching
- Achievement of a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above for undergraduate Educator Preparation programs
- Achievement of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for combined BS/MS Educator Preparation pathways
- Successful completion of specific clinical experiences as required by the program or University
- Successful completion of the FTCE General Knowledge Exam, Subject Area Exam, and Professional Educator Exam by July 1 (if the student is teaching in the Fall semester) or November 1 (if the student is teaching in the Spring semester)
- Demonstration of positive dispositions and behaviors at the 'Target' level the semester prior to student teaching
Program Completion Requirements for Candidates in the School of Teacher Education
Students must complete the following requirements to graduate from an educator preparation program:
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above for undergraduate Educator Preparation programs
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above for combined BS/MS Educator Preparation pathways
- Demonstrate achievement of standards and completion of specific coursework requirements set by the program
- Meet all University graduation requirements, including requirements mentioned above under 'Planning Guide to Education Preparation Programs'
- Achieve a passing score on the Professional Education and Subject Area portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) prior to entry to the final-term internship by July 1 (if the student is teaching in the Fall semester) or November 1 (if the student is teaching in the Spring semester)
- Successfully complete the student teaching experience including successful demonstration of the Uniform Core Curriculum as outlined in Section 1004.04 Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066 and Professional Behaviors and Dispositions
- Receive verification from the appropriate academic program of successful demonstration of the Uniform Core Curriculum as outlined in Section 1004.04 Florida Statutes and State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066 and Professional Behaviors and Dispositions
- Obtain final approval of the appropriate academic program and the Office of Academic Services and Intern Support.
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.
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:
- providing centralized academic advisement for Basic Division students interested in majoring in education
- collecting and processing applications for admission and readmission to the College of Education
- maintaining the Dean's academic records for all students formally admitted to COE programs
- monitoring students' progress toward the degree
- collecting and processing applications for admission to educator preparation
- conducting graduation checks and clearing students for teacher certification
- 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 Intern 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.
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 specific 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. Student Teaching assignments are subject to availability and district and school or agency acceptance. Therefore, placements are not guaranteed.
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. Also note that final-term placement is conditionally based on the successful completion of all relevant program requirements, including:
- passing all required sections of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) by July 1 (if the student is teaching in the Fall semester) or November 1 (if the student is teaching in the Spring semester), and
- acceptance by an approved school district or agency.
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 and Level II-background clearance are required for final-term placement in a public-school setting.