Professional Training Option
The PTO program is a pathway to prepare students majoring in a content area for temporary teacher certification in Florida for that content area. Professional teacher certification in Florida is attainable after a year of successful teaching in a Florida public school, passing scores on relevant exams in the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE), and other requirements as required by the State of Florida.
*A professional certificate is granted only after a candidate works with an employing
school district to meet the requirements for teaching. Learn more about Educator Certification.
General Requirements
To be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the PTO Application
- Major in a non-education degree program.
- Earned 21 credits in English, Mathematics, Science or Social Science
- GPA: FAMU cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better, Subject Area GPA of 2.5 or better.
- Recommendation from advisor.
- Successful completion of Leon County background clearance;
- Proof of health insurance and liability insurance.
- Maintain an overall 2.50 GPA or higher throughout the course sequence of the PTO.
"Teaching is the highest form of understanding"
Completion Requirements
The professional training option consists of six courses that meet professional teacher
preparation coursework requirements, in consort with pre-professional level training
in the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. A successful completer will have their
transcript endorsed with the statement: “Completion of FLDOE - approved Professional
Training Option.”
The PTO Completion Requirements include:
- EEX 2030 Introduction to Education of Exceptional Children
- EDF 3135 The Adolescent Learner
- EDF 3430 Measurement and Evaluation of Educational Growth
- RED 3333 Teaching Reading in the Content Area
- TSL 4081 ESOL Survey of Strategies for Learning
- EEX 4601 Behavior Management (prerequisite: EEX 2030)
Additional criteria are required by the State of Florida for a temporary teaching certificate. Student candidates must contact the Florida Department of Education for specific criteria.
