Teaching Practica
Secondary education majors (English, biology, math, and social science) and K–12 program majors (music and physical education) should refer to the Required Secondary Education Courses section for information regarding teaching practica.
Incoming elementary education majors (Junior 1, J1) starting in the fall 2011 semester will participate in four practicum experiences. Incoming secondary and K–12 undergraduate education majors (Junior 1, J1) starting in the fall 2011 semester will participate in three practicum experiences (except PE majors, who will have four practicum experiences).
For the 2011–2012 academic year, candidates desiring to enroll in the Teaching Practicum III/IV: Final Internship program (EDU 407, 413 or 445) must apply the semester preceding the proposed practicum. The application for the final internship includes the following:
- Completed Intern Application Form.
- Copy of signed 90-hour form (signed by the candidate and adviser). The Academic Advising Office handles all 90-hour forms. The candidate must make an appointment.
- Unofficial copy of transcript documenting a 2.5 GPA or higher overall and 2.5 in the major with no “I” (incomplete) grades, and completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours in the UT Teacher Preparation program.
- Criminal Record Information Form.
- Documentation providing proof of fingerprinting.
- Official documentation of passing scores on the Professional Area Exam (PED) and Subject Area Exam (SAE) of the FTCE, or proof of registration for either section not yet passed.
- At the end of the semester prior to candidates’ final internships, the ARD subcommittee will audit and review through LiveText whether candidates have received a grade of acceptable or higher on all UCC standards in all critical tasks. Candidates who fail this requirement will not be permitted to commence their final internships.
All requirements are subject to change to comply with state Department of Education regulations.
Students enrolled in EDU 407, 413 or 445 must concurrently enroll in EDU 410 Teaching Practicum IV Seminar or EDU 444 Teaching Practicum III Seminar. No other courses may be taken during Practicum III/IV (the final internship).
Graduation from UT’s approved teacher education program satisfies eligibility criteria for a Florida teaching certificate and an initial teaching certificate in most other states. More information regarding internships can be found in the Practicum III/IV Intern Handbook, which is distributed prior to the Practicum III/IV internship (final internship).
Teacher Education Course Sequence
Note: Most education majors are required to take EDU 210 (prior to fall 2010, EDU 203) in lieu of ITM 200. Music education majors do not take EDU 210 or EDU 203 and therefore must complete ITM 200.
The course sequences for each teacher education program are posted in the “Majors and Minors” section of the UT Blackboard website. The “Quick Help Guide” may also be found on the UT Blackboard site. Please note teacher education majors must complete a prescribed series of core courses to fulfill certification requirements.
The Department of Education has undergone major curriculum revision efforts to better align coursework with the intent of pre-professional standards and competencies as designated by the Florida Department of Education. Candidates entering the program in the fall 2011 semester will follow the revised curricular model (new courses will be marked in this section with a † symbol). Courses will be assigned equivalencies for those candidates moving through coursework during the transition phase.
It is the student’s responsibility to meet all institutional requirements for Florida teacher certification. Every effort should be made to take the courses in the semester sequence outlined in the “Quick Help Guide.” Failure to do so may result in a lengthening of the undergraduate program, postponing the anticipated date of graduation. Please note that some courses must be taken concurrently with others to fulfill all requirements.