Certification
An individual seeking initial certification issued by the state of
Florida may do so by means of either the Florida Department of Education Program Approval Process or through
alternative programs offered by local school districts.
The program approval process means that a student has met all of Nova
Southeastern University's state-approved program competencies and the state of Florida's requirements for
initial certification. Certification through the program approval process is only available to degree-seeking
students and will be annotated as such on the student's transcript. In Florida, students graduating from
the state-approved program and who have passed all portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE)
are eligible for an initial professional certificate. Actual teacher certification is awarded by the Florida
Department of Education, not NSU.
Other states' certification requirements vary. Some states do not grant
initial certification unless transcripts are annotated as having met that state's approved program. Applicants
may not be certified until they complete that state's approved program and specific course requirements.
The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) reserves the right to change
requirements leading to certification at any time. Consequently, the NSU Undergraduate Teacher Education Program
reserves the right to change requirements in the Florida state-approved program to reflect changes mandated
by the FDOE.
For information regarding certification through an alternative certification
program, contact the certification officer of any school district in the state of Florida.
Certification only Program
Some courses are offered for students who already hold a bachelor's
degree in fields other than education and who desire to obtain certification in Prekindergarten/Primary Education
(Age Three Through Grade Three), Elementary Education (K-6), Exceptional Student Education (K-12), or complete
the ESOL add-on endorsement.
Individuals seeking courses that may lead to certification must be
admitted to NSU as non-degree seeking students before registering for courses. In order to be admitted as
a non-degree seeking student, certification-only candidates must provide a Status of Eligibility Letter (issued
by the Florida Department of Education) as part of their application. Certification-only students assume
full risk in interpreting the letter of eligibility needs. NSU recommends that certification-only students
discuss anticipated course offerings with the Florida Department of Education, or the local school district
certification officer before registering for any courses.
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