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Five Year State-Approved Elementary Education Program

The School of Education (SOE) prepares teacher-leaders to transform education in Florida and internationally. Using a uniquely designed program linking theory with practice, students learn and teach in a variety of classrooms with professional educators starting the freshman semester.

SOE offers the combined five year degrees (BS-Elementary Education and MEd-Education) at the end of the program of study. Candidates complete coursework and field experiences aligned with the FL Statute 6A-5006. This program is state approved and prepares students to be eligible for a professional FL state teaching certificate and to work in reciprocal states. Both degrees are conferred together at the completion of all the required coursework.

Students graduating from this program will be eligible for Florida State Teaching Certification in the Subject Area of Elementary Education, K-6 with endorsements in Reading, K-12 and ESOL, K-12.

The School of Education State Approved Elementary Education program maintains a 100% success rate on all Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE).

State of Florida Teacher Certification

Upon completion of the 5-year program students can apply to Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) at http://www.fldoe.org for credentials. State approved programs are honored in most states, students should consult specific state’s department of education websites for more information. The official university transcript indicates completion of a state approved program.

Admission Requirements

Acceptance into the School of Education occurs during the sophomore year. Each student will complete the application to be accepted into JU’s State approved program once the following criteria have been met:

  • Undergraduate JU GPA 2.5 or higher,
  • Level II Fingerprint and background check completed by Duval County Public Schools,
  • Pass all four sections of the FTCE- General Knowledge Test (Mathematics, Reading, English and Essay).
  • M.Ed. five year program initial application

Acceptance into the Graduate year occurs at the middle of the fourth year of coursework. The following criteria are required:

  • Must be fully admitted into the JU Teacher Education Program,
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, if GPA is lower than 3.0 a GRE score of at least 290, is required
  • All students must submit GRE scores,
  • Passing score on FTCE Subject Area Test* (Elementary Education K-6),
  • Passing score on the FTCE Professional Education Test*
  • All courses with a prefix of EDU or ELE completed with “C” or higher. All courses with asterisks completed with “C-“ or higher
  • Application for Student Teaching completed, and
  • Application for JU Teacher Education Graduate year submitted.

* Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) documentation must be on file in the School of Education office at time of application to the fifth-year of the program. The program years four and five must be completed using continuous enrollment in Education program courses. Anyone not meeting these criteria will be counseled into another major.

Ombudsman

The Education Resource Specialist (ERS) is the Certification Ombudsman responsible for answering questions pertaining to Florida Teacher Certification. The ERS is located in the School of Education office.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the State-Approved Teacher Education Preparation Programs are as follows:

  • Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 in order to remain in good standing. If the GPA drops below a 2.50, the student is placed on academic probation for one semester. Failure to fulfill the required GPA after one semester probation will result in loss of candidacy in the State Approved Program.
  • Students will be evaluated on professional disposition indicators throughout the program.
  • All courses with a prefix of EDU and ELE must have a grade of “C” or better. All classes with an asterisk (*) must have a grade of "C-" or better. The School of Education does not grant + or – grades.

Field Experiences

Participation in field experiences, which occur in public educational settings in Duval County and are required throughout the Teacher Preparation Program, necessitate fingerprinting and successful background clearance. Teacher Education Program students MUST be fingerprinted and have a cleared background check through Duval County Public Schools at the beginning of the first semester in the School of Education.

The cost of the fingerprinting varies usually between $70-$80 and must be paid before the fingerprint appointment.

  • Fingerprinting is the responsibility of the student.
  • Field experiences are only authorized for students with a successful background check.
  • Information pertaining to background checks and fingerprints are completed through the office of the School of Education Office.
  • All field experiences are off campus at K-12 schools in Duval County and organized through the office.
  • Field experiences, of ten to 60 hours, are required each semester as part of all Teacher Education Program classes.
  • Additionally, students must successfully complete a full-time, student teaching internship as part of the program of study.

Program Completion

Requirements for program completion are as follows:

  • Students receive both degrees (M.Ed./B.S.) at the successful completion of the M.Ed. coursework in Elementary Education.
  • Students must pass all state and program related examinations.
  • The Program of Study (POS) is required for Elementary Education majors. Any deviation from this plan may lead to additional semesters at Jacksonville University.
  • Transfer students and students changing majors must meet with an Education Faculty Advisor to develop a Program of Study prior to registration for Education courses.