Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification
Educator Preparation Institute - EPI Program
Have you always wanted to teach, love challenges and seek fulfillment in a new career? Then SPC’s state-approved Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is the program for you! The EPI is a sequential, one year (three semesters) program that leads to Florida Professional Certification. The Institute is for students with a non-education bachelor’s degree or higher and a passion for knowledge and learning.
SPC's EPI provides a pathway for Professional Teacher Certification in Six Areas:
EPI courses are offered two to three nights a week (Mon.-Thur.), typically beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending between 7 and 9. Elementary and Exceptional courses are usually offered at the Tarpon and St. Petersburg/Gibbs campuses. Math and Science courses are available at the Clearwater Campus. EPI students also are placed in elementary, middle or secondary schools for practical teaching experience. Students are expected to be in the classroom (7:30am-4:30pm) eight to 10 hours a week.
Tuition and fees are charged per credit, per semester. The total EPI program cost is about $3,500 for Florida residents and $12,000 for non-Florida residents (includes tuition, books and fees). Financial assistance is available to EPI students.
To begin your journey and enroll in the EPI, all Admission Requirements (below) must be completed:
- Submit the SPC application. New and prior students will be directed appropriately (the EPI is a CERTF program).
- Apply to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for Teacher Certification. Once you complete the application, you will receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility. A copy of this Statement should be faxed to the EPI Office at 727-791-5949.
- Request three copies of your official transcripts from all schools that you attended.
- Send a copy to: St. Petersburg College, Central Records, P.O. Box 13489, St. Petersburg, FL 33733
- Send a copy to: Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Suite 201 Turlington Building, 325 W. Gaines St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
- Save a copy for your records.
- Present passing scores on applicable portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE)
- Elementary Education (K-6) and Exceptional Student Education (K-12) applicants need to pass all four sections (Math, Reading, English Language Skills, and Essay) of the General Knowledge (GK) test (passing scores for the CLAST exam prior to July 1, 2002 may also be used).
- Math and Science applicants need to pass all portions of the GK (or CLAST) and the appropriate Subject Area Exam (SAE). For test information see www.fl.nesinc.com.
All test results should be faxed to the EPI Office at 727-791-5949.
Once all documents (as outlined in steps 1-4 above) are received by the EPI Office, an admissions decision will be made and the student notified.
