Florida Gulf Coast University Catalog

Florida Gulf Coast University considers the preparation of teachers and other professional educators an integral part of its vision and mission. The university is dedicated to providing high quality educator preparation programs for meaningful careers in schools and agencies.

Title II of the Higher Education Act

Title II, Section 207 of the Higher Education Act mandates that universities make available certain information concerning the institution’s teacher preparation programs including the pass rate of program completers on assessments required by the state for teacher licensure or certification, the statewide pass rate on those assessments, and other basic information on teacher preparation programs. The information pertaining to Florida Gulf Coast University is available on the web at http://www.coe.fgcu.edu

All College of Education academic degree programs were revised in 1999-2000 and reviewed and approved against the most current state standards in the fall of 2006. FGCU’s College of Education offers six baccalaureate degree programs that lead to certification in early childhood education (Age 3 to Grade 3), elementary education, special education, and secondary education (biology, mathematics, or social sciences). All undergraduate programs lead to certification and early childhood education, elementary education, and special education include endorsement in ESOL. At the graduate level, school counseling and educational leadership prepare students for certification by the Florida Department of Education. Other advanced degree studies include educational technology, ESOL, mental health counseling, reading, special education, elementary education, and curriculum and instruction. The College also supports many non-degree seeking students in courses leading to certification, through the Educator Preparation Institute (TIP) and the Professional Training Option (Education Minor).

Student Characteristics:

Approximately 72% of College of Education undergraduates come from the surrounding five county service area of FGCU. More than 15% represent ethnic or racial minorities, and 91% are women. 84% of current undergraduate teacher education students are under 30 years of age. At the graduate level, 83% are females and 73% are over 30.

Admission Requirements:

Refer to program descriptions for admission requirements.

Internship/Student Teaching Requirements:

Undergraduate degree seeking students in programs apply for final internship in advance and are placed in area schools when they have completed all but one course of their College of Education courses with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Special features:

• Frequent and integrated field experiences throughout study.

• Integrated study in a unique expeditionary format that promotes best teaching practices with all students.
  Graduate degree seeking students have frequent and integrated field experiences throughout their course of study.

Contextual Information:

Revised programs described above were implemented in the fall of 2002 and 2005 and all teacher certification programs received full approval from the Florida Department of Education in 2006.

1120 students were enrolled in College of Education degree programs in 2007-08 of whom 658 were seeking initial teacher certification.

The FGCU College of Education has extensive partnerships with area schools and districts that include a professional development school, special centers to support targeted need groups (i.e., special education, instructional enhancement) and low performing schools in its five county area through the Alliance of Educational Leaders.

Pass Rate Data:

The following pass rate data is for the 2007-08 academic year and is based upon data verified by the Florida Department of Education.