Educator Preparation Institute (E.P.I)

If you already have a 4-year college degree, in any area, you can begin moving toward teacher certification.  Our Educator Preparation Institute Transition-to-Teaching program puts you on the path toward teacher certification and employment in K-12 schools. It can also help teachers currently under three year temporary certificates to complete certification requirements.  Read below to learn more...

EPI Entry Requirements

1. Application and acceptance into EPI program
2. Transcript documenting Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution, with 2.5 GPA
3. Cleared Level 2 background check
4. Application to GCCC
5. Completion of New Student Orientation, with submission of all required documents
6. Application to Florida Department of Education for teacher certification

According to the Florida Department of Education, our state is projected to hire 25,000-35,000 teachers per year over the next 3-5 years.  Yet, the number of graduates exiting our college of education programs across the state is roughly 6,000 per year.  In an attempt to address this emerging gap, all community colleges in our state are offering "transition-to-teaching" programs.  These programs are designed to assist college graduates with four-year degrees to begin a career in teaching.

Gulf Coast Community College has partnered with Bay, Gulf, and Franklin county schools to offer the Educator Preparation Institute.  This is a "hybrid" delivered program, consisting of 9 classes taken through a mixture of online (Internet/Web-based) and face-to-face traditional classroom sessions.  This program is designed for:

• Those individuals holding any Bachelors degree interested in a teaching career
  

• Currently employed teachers within Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties attempting to meet teacher certification requirements (already on a three-year temporary certificate)
  Note:  Only The Florida Department Education can determine your certification requirements.  Certification requirements are determined by Florida D.O.E., not GCCC. Visit http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/ to learn more.
  

• If you're interested in becoming a Mentor for EPI Candidates, and are already a certified teacher, click here for the Mentor Application.

Enrollment in the GCCC E.P.I. is limited.

The GCCC EPI program is accepting new students for the Spring A 2009 semester. Program applications are due by November 26, 2008.

The GCCC EPI partners with:

• Bay District Schools - Job Openings
• Gulf County Schools - Job Openings
• Franklin County Schools - Job Openings (select Careers)

Additional Job Openings:

• St. Bernadette's School www.stbernadette.com