The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is a fast-track Pre-K through 12 teacher preparation program that provides an opportunity to use your Bachelor's degree to become a teacher in less than a year.
Program Details
Designed to be completed in less than a year and provides a pathway to teacher certification.
The program is comprised of three parts: Coursework, field experience and three state exams.
Classes are offered in a combination of evening and Saturday with online components included in each course.
Program Admission Requirements
Prerequisites for admission into the EPI program include a non-education Baccalaureate Degree awarded by an accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
Effective January 1, 2015, admission requirements also include:
proof of passing a Subject Area Exam (SAE)
a valid Statement of Eligibility verifying eligibility for a professional teaching certificate in the same subject area as the SAE.
All potential students start the enrollment process with an Entrance Interview with the Program Director, Dr. Mary Ann Ratliff. Call 813.253.7983 to schedule an appointment.
At the Entrance Interview potential students will:
provide a sealed official college transcript showing completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university approved by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
complete a Non-Degree Seeking Application online for Hillsborough Community College.
provide proof of Florida residence (valid Florida Drivers license, voter registration card and/or vehicle registration).
undergo a background check and fingerprinting as required by the District of Hillsborough County Public Schools or Kelly Services.
Upon satisfying the requirements above, the candidate will be given registration materials and a class schedule.
Additional costs will be expended in 1) fees for a School District of Hillsborough County background check and fingerprinting; 2) application for DOE Statement of Eligibility and/or temporary teaching certificate; and 3) application for the General Knowledge Exam, the Professional Education Exam and the Subject Area Exam.
Financial Aid is available for those who qualify.
Florida Teaching Certificate
Complete the following steps to be eligible to apply for a Florida Teaching Certificate.
Successfully complete the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program and successfully pass:
The General Knowledge Exam*
The Professional Education Test
One or more Subject Area Test(s)
*Please note: Beginning July 1, 2014. new applicants for an initial Florida Educator's Certificate may no longer use a passing score on the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) earned prior to July 1, 2002, to satisfy the General Knowledge (GK) requirement.
ADDITIONAL NOTE - Only examination results earned within 10 years prior to the date of application for a new certificate may be acceptable for certification eligibility requirements.
The EPI curriculum at Hillsborough Community College is competency-based, sequenced, and built on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) and the Professional Educator Competencies (PECs).
The program is designed to be completed in less than a year and provides a pathway for teacher certification in any of the following areas:
Agriculture 6-12
Art K-12
Biology 6-12,
Business Education 6-12
Chemistry 6-12
Computer Science k-12
Drama 6-12
Earth/Space Science 6-12
Elementary Education k-6
English 6-12,
ESOL K-12
*Exceptional Student Education K-12
Family and Consumer Science 6-12
French K-12
German K-12
Health K-12
Humanities K-12
Journalism 6-12
Latin K-12
Marketing 6-12
Mathematics 6-12
Middle Grades English 5-9
Middle Grades General Science 5-9
Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9
Middle Grades Social Science 5-9
Music K-12
Physical Education K-12
Physics 6-12
Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3
Preschool Education (Birth-Age 4)
Social Science 6-12
Spanish K-12
Technology Education 6-12
*Hiring policies vary by the district for this certification.
Program Updates
Effective January 1, 2015, the following criteria will be needed for the EPI program entry as required by the Florida Department of Education:
Proof of passing the Subject Area Exam (SAE).
A valid Statement of Eligibility verifying eligibility for a professional teaching certificate in the same subject area as the SAE.
Important Reminders:
Only examination results earned within 10 years prior to the date of application for a new certificate are acceptable for certification eligibility requirements.
Effective June 30, 2015, the Hillsborough County School District will provide updated ethics training upon employment.
Effective July 1, 2014, new applicants for an initial Florida Educator's Certificate may no longer use a passing score on the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) to satisfy the General Knowledge Exam (GK) requirement.
