Educator Preparation Institute Certificate of Achievement

Your passion is to teach, but your degree is in another field. It’s not too late to become what you really want to be. Our EPI Certificate allows you to take your bachelor’s degree and become a certified K-12 teacher in just nine months. 

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Getting Started: Spring Term 2026

Jan. 5:  Application Deadline

Jan. 12:  Classes Begin

Other Important Dates »

Educator Preparation Institute Certificate of Completion
Type: Certificate of Achievement
Major Code: EDPREP
CIP: 5551399990

Program Description

Available Course Course Not Offered Spring 2026
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Classroom Management Module 1A
3
Credits
This module prepares teacher candidates to set up a classroom, establish policies and procedures, create lesson plans integrated with Florida Standards, develop and administer various forms of assessment, establish and maintain best practices in parental and professional relationships and hone the craft of effective instruction. It will also focus on the ethical and legal obligations of the teaching profession. Teacher candidates will also build a developmental assessment and complete activities that demonstrating mastery of FEAPS, PECS and UCC.
Instructional Strategies Module 1B
3
Credits
This module prepares teacher candidates to set up a classroom, establish policies and procedures, create lesson plans integrated with the Florida State Standards, develop and administer various forms of assessment, establish and maintain best practices in parental and professional relationships. Teacher candidates will develop assessments and complete activities demonstrating mastery of FEAPS, PECS and UCC competencies.
Teaching and Learning Processes
3
Credits
Identify the effects of varying backgrounds, beliefs, traditions, values and gender on development. Identify theories and themes of human growth and development as represented by the following theories: biological, psychoanalytic, psychosocial, behavioral, cognitive-developmental stage, moral developmental, cognitive information processing, societal, and contextual.
Methods of Teaching ESOL
3
Credits
This course provides teacher candidates with the necessary skills to determine appropriate instructional methods and strategies for teaching English language learners. Teacher candidates will use their knowledge of current first and second languages acquisition to plan and deliver appropriate, effective instruction.
Foundations of Research Based Practices in Reading
4
Credits
This module encompasses the reading process with a focus on developing emergent literacy skills and progressing through the phases of word reading, resulting in comprehension as the final outcome. Teacher candidates will develop substantive understanding of six components of reading as a process: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Teacher candidates will apply the principles of explicit, systematic and sequential evidence-based reading instruction and scaffold student learning while integrating the six components of reading. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify students with reading difficulties, including identification of students with characteristics of dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring.
Foundations of Assessment and Differentiation in Reading
4
Credits
Teacher candidates will understand how to select and administer appropriate assessments and analyze data to inform reading instruction to meet the needs of all students. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring. Teacher candidates will have a broad knowledge of students from differing profiles in order to understand and apply evidence-based instructional practices by differentiating process, product and context. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring.
Selected Topics Capstone for Professional Development
2
Credits
In this course, topics of current interest are presented in group instruction. Teacher candidates will demonstrate mastery of the Professional education Competencies, Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and Uniform Core Curriculum standards and competencies.
Teaching Methods Practicum
5
Credits
This course provides the teacher candidate with methods of instruction, integrating theoretical knowledge with classroom experience, demonstrating effective teaching practices, reflective decision-making and competency in Educator Accomplished Practices.
Foundations of Language and Cognition
3
Credits
This course teaches language structure, function and phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. The instruction is grounded in scientifically-based research. This course satisfies the requirements for Competency 1 of the State of Florida Reading Endorsement.
Foundations of Research Based Practices in Reading
4
Credits
This module encompasses the reading process with a focus on developing emergent literacy skills and progressing through the phases of word reading, resulting in comprehension as the final outcome. Teacher candidates will develop substantive understanding of six components of reading as a process: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Teacher candidates will apply the principles of explicit, systematic and sequential evidence-based reading instruction and scaffold student learning while integrating the six components of reading. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify students with reading difficulties, including identification of students with characteristics of dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring.
Foundations of Assessment and Differentiation in Reading
4
Credits
Teacher candidates will understand how to select and administer appropriate assessments and analyze data to inform reading instruction to meet the needs of all students. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring. Teacher candidates will have a broad knowledge of students from differing profiles in order to understand and apply evidence-based instructional practices by differentiating process, product and context. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring.
Foundations of Differentiation
3
Credits
This course provides a study of the varying strategies that are successful with students from differing instructional profiles, including students with disabilities and students from diverse populations. This professional development course meets the requirements for Competency 4, Foundations in Differentiation, of the Reading Endorsement Add-On Certification Program. This course must be taken simultaneously with Application of Differentiated Instruction (EPI 0013).
Demonstration of Accomplishment in Reading
3
Credits
Teacher candidates will, through a culminating practicum, demonstrate knowledge of the components of reading, as well as assessments and data analysis, to implement a comprehensive evidence-based reading plan of instruction for all students. Teacher candidates will engage in the systematic problem solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring.
Total Credits: 27

Your tuition shouldn’t go against your intuition.

Your pursuit of higher education is admirable. So why struggle with high tuition in the process? Here we make life’s next steps affordable. Whether you’re seeking a university transfer (A.A.) degree, a four-year bachelor’s, an Associate in Science degree or even earning a college credit certificate, you’ll find reasonable tuition and great value. And to us, that’s scholarly.

In fact, a full-time college education at Seminole State is more than $10,000 less each year than most state universities.

Go For Less.


Tuition and Fee Comparison*

 ExpenseSeminole StateUFFSUUCF
Tuition and Fees$3,131$6,380$5,654 $5,954 
Room and Board-0-$12,615
$14,020 $13,412 
Books and Supplies$1,000$825$1,200$1,200
Total$4,131$19,820$20,874$20,566

For more information on Seminole State's tuition and fees, please see the current fee schedule.

* Tuition costs are based on the current academic year for in-state students living on campus. Dorm fees, meal plans and book expenses are estimates based on cost of attendance information provided by the State University System of Florida. Lab fees and other fees that may be assessed at the time of registration may be viewed in the College fee schedule. As Seminole State is a commuter college with no residence halls on its campuses, costs for room and board are not calculated.

Why Seminole State?

  • Outstanding reputation: Seminole State offers a specialized teacher training program that is an approved state Educator Preparatory Institute for professional development and alternative certification.
  • Industry-driven curriculum: Courses were developed with input from the State of Florida and Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS).
  • Meets SCPS Induction Requirement: Seminole County EPI graduates are exempt from the Seminole County Induction process which is required for new teachers.
  • Small class sizes: Seminole State's small classes allow more personal attention. Most classes have fewer than 30 students.
  • Real-world projects: An internship and portfolio assignment allows students to be mentored by highly qualified teachers and to experience teaching students in local schools.
  • Flexible Schedule: Online classes are available through the year.
  • Free Resources: Tutorials are available to EPI graduates to help them prepare for the reading and math portion of the General Knowledge Test.

Additional Information