Educator Preparation Institute

Program Information

EPI - Code 800800 - Catalog 2024/2025

Donald May, Chair, Education, 386-506-3442, Donald.May@daytonastate.edu

Ana Blaine, EPI Ombudsperson, 386-506-3188, Ana.Blaine@daytonastate.edu

Program Mission, Description, and Outcomes

Mission:

Mission Statement: The Educator Preparation Institute offers an alternative pathway to teacher certification for mid-career professionals and college graduates outside the education field. Our program cultivates highly qualified, state-certified teachers prepared to excel in a variety of K-12 settings. We prioritize ethics in education, emphasize student excellence, and enrich teaching and learning through innovative instructional methods, ensuring effective teaching practices are central to our mission.

Description:

The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is a State-approved teacher preparation program for individuals with a bachelor's degree (other than education) who are interested in becoming highly qualified, certified teachers in Florida. The EPI certificate program at DSC offers candidates who successfully complete the seven courses in EPI (with associated fieldwork), program requirements, and all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) eligibility to receive a five-year Professional Educator's Certificate.

Outcomes:

Graduates of the program will be able to:

Demonstrate mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAP) and Professional Education Competencies (PEC).
Demonstrate mastery of the Subject Area Competencies (SAC) and Skills for Teacher Certification in a specialized subject area.
Demonstrate General Knowledge (GK).
Attain additional Uniform Core Curriculum content.

Financial Aid

This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by completing their FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. For more information on grants, loans and work programs available see the Office of Financial Aid webpage at https://www.daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/. Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester. For more information see: https://www.daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.

Approximate Additional Costs

Program Tuition and Fees*:	$2,523
Access Fee:	$24.36 ($1.16 per credit)
Assessment Fee:	$34

*In-state tuition only; out-of-state tuition will be higher.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5. Additionally, applicants must obtain volunteer clearance through Volusia County Schools or provide Verification of Employment from a Florida public school. Please visit the following website for more information: Volusia County Schools Volunteer. For questions, please contact Ashorda Foley (386-255-7190 x 38379). Employment verification should be emailed directly from the HR office to admissions@daytonastate.edu.

Applicants must submit an application to Daytona State College Admissions as well as submit an EPI application and current resume to the School of Education. Applicants must also submit an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility with an eligible classification from the Florida Department of Education. Please visit the following website for more information: Florida Department of Education Teacher Certification.

Program Specific Courses

SLS3355L	Orientation to Education Programs Lab	0
EDF4430	Classroom Assessment	3
EDG4323	Professional Teaching Practices	3
EDF4603	Critical Issues in Classroom Management, Ethics, Law and Safety	3
TSL3080	ESOL Issues and Strategies I	3
RED3012	Principles of Reading, Grades 6-12	3
	Choose One of the Following:
EEX4601	Behavior Management	3
RED4519	Diagnosis, Intervention in Reading	3
	Choose One of the Following:
EPI0940	Field Experience I (Professional Foundations)	3
RED4844	Reading Practicum	3

SLS3355L - The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the School of Education processes and overall expectations for disposition for teaching. Pre-service teachers will learn how coursework relates to meeting the Florida Department of Education requirements for teacher certification and how to ensure they remain a satisfactory candidate for graduation. This required course is offered in the FA and SP and must be completed prior to the start of the semester.

EDG4323, EDF4430, RED3012, RED4519 and TSL3080- Denotes 15-hour field experience requirement in a Volusia or Flagler County public school.

EDF4603 - Offered in Fall, Spring, or Summer.

RED4519 - Required for EPI program candidates beginning in Spring 2020 working towards certification in Elementary K-6, Exceptional Student Education, Middle Grades English, English, ESOL, or PreK-Primary Education. This course is also required for candidates completing the Reading Endorsement track.

EPI0940 - This course is the culminating program field experience and requires 30 hours of field experience in the public schools. This course may be offered in the FA or SP term. In addition to this course completion, students are required to pass the Professional Education Test (PEd)*, the Subject Area Exam (SAE), and General Knowledge Test of Skills (GKT)** to be eligible for graduation.

RED4844 - Required for EPI program candidates beginning in Fall 2022 working toward certification in Elementary K-6, Exceptional Student Education, Middle Grades English, English, ESOL, or PreK-Primary Education. This is an intensive Reading Practicum that requires departmental consent prior to enrolling. This course serves as the culminating program field experience. This course may be offered in the FA or SP term. In addition to this course completion, students are required to pass the Professional Education Test (PEd)*, the Subject Area Exam (SAE), and General Knowledge Test of Skills (GKT)** to be eligible for graduation. This course is also required for candidates completing the Reading Endorsement track.

*A highly effective rating on the most recent summative (final) teaching evaluation can be used in lieu of passing the Ped.
**Concordant GRE scores or a master’s degree from an accredited institution can be used in lieu of passing the GKT.

Sample Program of Study

1st Semester

SLS3355L	Orientation to Education Programs Lab	0
EDG4323	Professional Teaching Practices	3
EDF4430	Classroom Assessment	3
RED3012	Principles of Reading, Grades 6-12	3
TSL3080	ESOL Issues and Strategies I	3
Total Credit Hours:		12

EDG4323, EDF4430, RED3012 and TSL3080- Denotes 15-hour field experience requirement in a Volusia or Flagler County public school.

2nd Semester

EDF4603	Critical Issues in Classroom Management, Ethics, Law and Safety	3
EEX4601	Behavior Management	3
	Choose One of the Following:
RED4519	Diagnosis, Intervention in Reading	3
	Choose One of the Following:
EPI0940	Field Experience I (Professional Foundations)	3
RED4844	Reading Practicum	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

EPI0940 - This course is the culminating program field experience and requires 45 hours of field experience in the public schools. This course may be offered in the FA or SP term. In addition to this course completion, students are required to pass the Professional Education Test (PEd)*, the Subject Area Exam (SAE), and General Knowledge Test of Skills (GKT)** to be eligible for graduation.

RED4844 – Required for EPI program candidates beginning in Fall 2022 working toward certification in Elementary K-6, Exceptional Student Education, Middle Grades English, English, ESOL, or PreK-Primary Education. This is an intensive Reading Practicum that requires departmental consent prior to enrolling. This course serves as the culminating program field experience. This course may be offered in the FA or SP term. In addition to this course completion, students are required to pass the Professional Education Test (PEd)*, the Subject Area Exam (SAE), and General Knowledge Test of Skills (GKT)** to be eligible for graduation. This course is also required for candidates completing the Reading Endorsement track.

Total Credit Hours: 21