Educator Preparation Institute (EPI)

Teacher Preparation and Re-Certification

The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program at Valencia College is designed for individuals who want to teach but hold a bachelor's degree in an area other than education. This alternative certification program fulfills the Professional Education Competence Program and Professional Preparation Coursework requirements listed on the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Official Statement of Status of Eligibility which is necessary for earning a Florida Professional Educator's Certificate. 

The EPI program is 24 college credits and meets FL DOE eligibility requirements. See the current catalog of EPI online course descriptions.

Valencia College tuition and fees

To qualify for the Educator Preparation Institute, individuals need to:  

By taking two courses at a time, it is possible to complete the program in two or three semesters depending on the start term, but it may take longer. Passing all of the FTCE Exams and building an EPI portfolio are necessary to complete the program. Please see the current catalog for detailed descriptions of the EPI courses.  

Schedule a call or an online meeting with an EPI advisor now.

*NOTE: FL DOE FAC Rule 6A-5.066 (teacher preparation) changed in October 2019 and July 2021; Florida Statute XLVIII, Ch. 1004.04 (public accountability and teacher preparation programs) changed in 2020. As a result, additional reading requirements have been developed and implemented in the EPI program, and program changes continue to reflect new legislation. 

If you have an interest in pursuing licensure or certification outside the state of Florida, please review this Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement.

EPI Program Enrollment Session

The EPI Program SUMMER Enrollment Session on Wednesday, April 10 is an online, virtual meeting via Zoom. We're excited to host the session from 5:30pm - 7:30pm (or earlier if the Question & Answer portion moves quickly).

For this enrollment session to count for program admission, interested individuals should be present for the full PowerPoint presentation. After attending the Enrollment Session, those who attended the full presentation will be emailed access to the PowerPoint and helpful documents.

Please register by following the link below. Thank you for your interest in the EPI program at Valencia College, and we look forward to meeting you soon. 

When: Wed., Apr. 10, 2024, 5:30 p.m.

Register here

 

For students who started before Fall 2021: EPI-coded courses are no longer offered at Valencia College. (Examples: EPI 0001 or EPI 0020)

EPI-coded coursework taken prior to Fall 2020 no longer satisfies Valencia's EPI program completion requirements. Please contact the EPI office to determine the possibility for readmission if you left the program more than two years ago or have an extended completion timeline. 

For students who started in or after Fall 2021: RED 3551, Foundations of Assessment, will be offered for the last time in Summer 2025. 

Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, Valencia College will offer two EPI tracks: one with Reading Endorsement and one without Reading Endorsement. 

 



Teacher Re-Certification

Teachers who already hold a Professional Educator's Certificate and need certificate renewal may complete six (6) semester hours of college credit or equivalent earned during each renewal period. Most of these Valencia College courses meet the requirements of teachers seeking re-certification. Please click the "Teacher Re-Certification" link for more details.  

If you have further questions, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page or use the Contact Us link to email us your specific questions. We will respond in a timely manner.