EDUCATOR PREPARATION INSTITUTE (EPI) – program code

EDUCATOR PREPARATION INSTITUTE (EPI) – program code 69000
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have a Bachelor’s or higher degree outside the field of education. Can I become a teacher?
Persons who wish to teach in Florida public schools must hold valid teacher certification.
The academic credentials required are:
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Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited institution

Coursework in a Florida Department of Education certifiable subject area
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Coursework in education studies
 Passing score on Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE)
At MDC, the School of Education’s Center for Professional Development has an accelerated program,
Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) which is approved by the FLDOE and leads to professional
certification. The program includes education coursework, mentoring, and FTCE review workshops.
Students enrolled in the EPI can complete the program in one year approximately.
Where are the EPI classes offered?
The EPI program is housed at InterAmerican Campus, centrally located in Little Havana at 627 SW 27
Ave. Classes are always offered there, and may be offered at other campus locations when enrollment is
justified.
What is the admissions process?
1. You must first have a current, valid STATEMENT OF STATUS OF ELIGIBILITY issued by the
FLDOE, indicating that you are eligible for a Florida Teacher’s certificate.
2. You must also be fully admitted to MDC.
3. Prior to EPI application package submittal, original Bachelor degree documentation must be
submitted to the MDC Records Department for evaluation
4. Complete and submit full EPI application package and come for an interview with EPI Director
5. You must also pass a FBI and FLDOE background check which involves being fingerprinted. For
additional information about fingerprinting or the status of your program entry status, call (305) 237
6203.
Can I start the EPI program now?
Students move through the program as cohorts, and a new cohort is established each semester.
Application deadlines are usually 30 days before the beginning of each semester; this provides staff time
to conduct interviews, make final selections, and process candidates’ documents.
I am currently employed. Will the class meeting times conflict with my job?
EPI courses are offered three consecutive weekends, excluding days the college is officially closed.
Classes meet Friday evenings, and all day Saturday. There are 45 hours of required Field Experience.
Field Experience must be scheduled at an approved public K-12 and match the student’s subject area
and the grade level established in the FLDOE Statement of Status of Eligibility.
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How do I apply for the Statement of Status of Eligibility from the FLDOE?
You may access the application online. Print the document and complete it. Mail your completed
application, official (sealed) transcript(s), and the required fee to the FLDOE. Steps for accessing and
completing the application:
1. Go to the Florida Department of Education’s Completing Your Initial Application Package page.
2. Review the FLDOE subject areas and requirements, and select one that closely matches the
coursework on your transcript.
I have a transcript from a foreign college or university. Will this be accepted?
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Prior to EPI application package submittal, original Bachelor degree documentation from a
foreign college or university must be submitted to the MDC Records Department for evaluation
Original documents from a foreign college or university must be legalized for international use;
the authentication would be either an apostille* or a certification depending on the country
where you earned the Bachelor degree
If your documents from a foreign college or university were issued in any language other than
English, translation into English must be submitted along with the documents submitted for
evaluation by MDC Records Department
MDC will only accept a translation that comes from a NACES agency
To identify a NACES agency, please, consult the link below:
http://www.naces.org/members.htm
* An Apostille is a form of certification set out in the 1961 Hague Convention, to which the United
States became a subscriber in 1981. It is a form of numbered fields, which allows the data to be
understood by the receiving country regardless of the official language of the issuing country. For
the list of Hague Convention members and parties, please, refer to:
http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=states.listing
Is the EPI program free? Is there financial aid available?
The EPI program is 21 college credits. For 2013/2014 academic year the in-state tuition for the program
is $2,398.62 ($114.22 per credit).
Other fees and expenses include:

A one-time MDC Admission fee of $30.00

LiveText LMS for EPI program software: $98.00

Textbooks: Module I $198.00 and Module II $162.00

Florida Teacher Certification Exams:
o General Knowledge Test: $130.00 (first-time registration)
o Professional Education: $150.00 (first-time registration)
o Subject Area: $200.00 (first-time registration)

Instructional materials for usage during delivery of lessons: $150.00
Individuals seeking financial assistance should contact Financial Aid office at any Miami Dade College
campus to determine personal eligibility for scholarships and/or loans. Career changers registered with
South Florida Workforce may be eligible for pre-paid tuition assistance.
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How can I get more information about EPI?
Visit the Center for Professional Development located at:
MDC InterAmerican Campus (627 SW 27th Avenue Miami, FL 33135 - Room IAP10)
Call (305) 237- 6203
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]
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