EPI Alternative Certification FAQ’s

1.  Who may qualify for acceptance into the Educator Preparation Institute’s Alternative Certification Program (EPI - ACP)?

Anyone with a Bachelor’s degree or above from an accredited institution in an area other than   
education may be accepted into the Alternative Certification Program at the College of Central
Florida.

2.  What does the ACP Program qualify a participant for?

ACP completers are eligible to apply for Professional Teacher Certification in Florida.

3.  What must I do to get started?

Contact the EPI Coordinator, Cheryl Lonon (lononc@cf.edu), to get the process started. To 
“fully qualify” for registration you must:

• Complete admission requirements for CF (first-time credit application, readmission, or update application)
• Apply for certification to Florida Department of Education which requires application for specific subject area of your choice and review of college transcripts (www.fldoe.org/edcert).  This will generate a letter of Statement of Eligibility (SOE).  You may be required to pass a subject area mastery exam (SAE) to receive an eligible SOE.  Our EPI requires each participant to submit an “eligible” SOE in at least one subject area to be admitted into the ACP.
• Show proof of a passing score on the General Knowledge (GK) Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE).  Passing scores from CLAST taken prior to July 2002 may be accepted in lieu of GK passing scores.
• Complete an EPI in-house application for the ACP
• Complete two assessments at our Career Testing and Assessment Center in the Bryant Union followed by an interview with the Coordinator.
• Submit a one-page essay titled “Why I Want to Become a Teacher.”

4.  How often is registration open?

Applications are always being accepted/walk-ins are welcome.  Registration for “fully qualified” applicants is open in July for fall term.

5.  When do classes meet?

Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings for traditional classes, scheduled times for hybrid, and orientation and summative meetings for online classes and field experience.

6.  How much are fees and how are fees paid?

Florida residents are charged current in-state tuition while others are charged current out-of-state tuition. Fees are paid by semester prior to start of semester and may be paid online or at cashier’s window in Bryant Union.  Tuition costs are subject to change from year to year.  Textbooks may be purchased online or from the campus bookstore.

7.  Is financial aid available?

The Alternative Certification Program is approved for FAFSA.  Everyone is encouraged to complete FAFSA for federal aid and CF scholarships if available. Veterans may also use Troops to Teachers or GI bill if approved.  Other assistance may be available through Vocational Rehabilitation and CLM Workforce Development.

8.  What must I do to complete the ACP and qualify for Professional Teacher Certification?

You must complete the 21-credit hour program with a minimum 2.5 gpa with no less than 2.0 in any course, satisfactorily complete practice teaching (minimum 3.0), and provide documentation of Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPS) via electronic portfolio (FLVC.org, etc.). Additionally, you must have official passing score on the following FTCE’s:  General Knowledge, Subject Area Exam (corresponds with valid SOE), and Professional Education.

9.  Are ACP college credits transferrable?

All EPI-ACP credits are transportable only to another state-approved EPI Alternative Certification Program.

10.  I do not know what subject area certification my degree qualifies me to teach.  What certification should I apply for?

This is not a decision that anyone can make for you.  We suggest that you plan to teach the subject area in which you are most knowledgeable and enjoy. If you’re undecided on a subject area certification, follow this quick link to the list of certification subjects and course requirements:  http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/subjlist.asp
Compare your transcript(s) with the requirements for each subject area you’re interested in before you apply for a teaching certificate.
If you’re still undecided and need to know what areas are in critical need, contact the certification specialist in your county school district office.  In our service area contact:  Marion County – Diana Thompson, (352) 671-7781; Citrus County – Lindy Woythaler, (352) 726-1931; Levy County - Candy Dean, (352) 486-5231.