Teaching Programs in Florida
No matter if you’re interested in teaching at the elementary, middle, or high school level, Florida offers online teaching degrees that will help you jumpstart your career. Not only that, but you can also pursue an advanced degree program as a practicing teacher. This enables you to get your master’s degree in a field like special education, curriculum and instruction, or educational technology without leaving your teaching position.
Of course, you can select from many online programs in the Sunshine State. The most difficult task is likely figuring out which program best fits your needs. That’s where this guide comes in! Check out some of the popular online teaching degrees below to learn more about becoming a teacher in Florida.

Online Teaching Degrees in Florida
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online teaching degrees in Florida:
- University of West Florida
- Florida International University
- University of Central Florida
- University of South Florida
- Florida State University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Keiser University
- Lynn University
- Grand Canyon University
- Purdue Global
University of West Florida
Online Bachelor of Arts- Exceptional Student Education
At the University of West Florida, you can pursue an online Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Exceptional Student Education. This area of education is in constant need of qualified teachers, so not only will this degree help you advance your career, but it might also lead to a lucrative position in the school district of your choice.
You must complete 132 credits to graduate. Of those, 60 credits are lower-division, introductory courses in a broad range of academic areas. For example, you’re expected to take classes like College Algebra, Public Speaking, Critical Thinking, and Elements of Statistics. You’ll also take an Introduction to Education course that gives you an overview of the U.S. educational system and your place in it as a pre-service teacher.
Other general education requirements are as follows:
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- The Arts and Humanities
- Multicultural Studies
- Lower-Division Electives
You must also take either General Psychology or Human Development Across the Lifespan to gain insights into the unique behavior of children.
As far as the major-area coursework goes, you’ll complete 60 credits of classes in teaching, learning, and related areas. For example, you’ll take an Educational Assessment class that introduces you to the processes of developing valid and reliable assessments in the classroom. Likewise, you’ll take a Methods in Inclusion and Collaboration course that helps you gain the skills needed to develop a classroom in which all students are accepted and work together to achieve their academic goals.
Other coursework focuses on specific teaching strategies. An example of this is the Teaching Students With Language and Communication Disorders class. As the name indicates, you’ll learn methods for communicating with students, enhancing their ability to communicate with you, and differentiating instruction for students with communication difficulties. Other teaching-related courses you’ll take include the following:
- Integrated Arts and Contemporary Educational Tools
- Instructional Strategies for Teaching Students With Exceptionalities
- Personal, Social, and Employment Skills for Exceptional Students
- Assessment and Differentiated Instruction in Reading
- Curricula for Teaching Students With Severe Disabilities
You’ll also take content-related classes. For example, Teaching Science in the Elementary School is a required course that helps you build competency for teaching young children basic science principles. You’ll also take Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School, Social Studies for Elementary Teachers, and Literacy for the Emergent Learner. As a result, you’ll graduate from this program with a wide range of content knowledge that you can pass on to your students.
The student teaching component occurs during the fourth and final year of this program. Though your classroom learning takes place online, the student teaching experience must be done in person at an approved school near where you live. You can choose to complete either one semester of student teaching or two semesters of a teaching internship. In either case, you’ll be supervised by an experienced teacher.
The following criteria must be met to apply:
- Submit the application linked above, along with a $30 application fee.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Submit ACT or SAT scores (this is not required for all majors).
- Submit a financial responsibility statement.
Florida International University
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
The online Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Florida International University focuses primarily on the development of the whole child. That is, you’ll study the cognitive, social, emotional, and linguistic development of young children in the context of early childhood theory and practice.
This degree can serve two different purposes. On the one hand, if you’re a practicing teacher and want to expand your knowledge and skills, this degree will prepare you better to work with pre-K and elementary-aged children. On the other hand, you might use this degree to pursue non-certified positions in preschools, daycares, and other early childhood settings. On its own, this degree does not lead to licensure.
You must complete 120 credits to earn this degree. Most students complete these requirements within four years, if studying full-time. As discussed earlier, a significant part of these credits are general education requirements. To satisfy these requirements, you’ll take classes in social sciences, math, English, and natural sciences, to name a few. You’ll also take courses in the arts, communications, humanities, and elective areas.
You’ll also take 30 credits of professional education classes. Generally speaking, these courses focus on teaching methods, curriculum development, and classroom management in an early childhood education setting.
For example, you’ll take an Educational Psychology class that examines the unique differences of each child in terms of learning, adjustment, and diversity. Likewise, you’ll take General Instruction Decision-Making, which helps you understand essential theories and models of instruction, student learning styles, using technology in the classroom, and other essential concepts.
Some of these professional education classes explore teaching methods, too. You’ll take Art in Early Childhood to become familiar with the value of art exploration in a learning environment. You’ll learn how to integrate activities with music, dramatic play, and visual arts into the day-to-day classroom curriculum.
Additionally, you’ll focus on developmental issues by taking classes like Early Childhood Educational Programs. This course analyzes various theories of early childhood education and the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development of young children.
Other required professional education courses include the following:
- Classroom Management
- Cultural and Social Foundations of Education
- ESOL Principles and Practices
- Special Needs of Children and Their Families
- Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in Inclusive Settings
Furthermore, you’ll take a host of early development courses. For example, you’ll take three child development courses that explore child growth, assessments used to gauge various types of growth (e.g., emotional, intellectual, personality), and diagnostic tools used to assess social growth. You’ll also take two classes relating to family and community studies: Family Literacy and the Young Child and Communities, Families, and Young Children.
The final components of this degree focus on literacy issues and electives. These courses include Children’s Literature, Language and Literacy Development, Education in History, and Integrated Math and Science in Early Childhood. A final class on Play and Development of Social Competence explores the value of play in the classroom in terms of academic and social development.
The following requirements must be met to apply as a first-year student:
- Complete the online application for admission linked above (it takes about 20-30 minutes).
- Submit a $30 application fee.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit (you must apply as a transfer student if you have 60 or more transferable college credits).
- Submit official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores.
You must complete at least 60 credits of lower-division coursework before you are accepted to the Early Childhood Development program. You must do so with a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
University of Central Florida
Online Bachelor of Science – Career and Technical Education
You can specialize in Career and Technical Education by pursuing a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Florida. This 120-credit program allows you to complete your coursework entirely online from anywhere in Florida or the world beyond.
As with any undergraduate degree, you’ll begin by completing around 60 credits of lower-division general education requirements, as outlined earlier. Doing so usually required two years of full-time study. You can complete these courses as an associate’s degree and then transfer into this bachelor’s degree program. Alternatively, you can enroll at UCF as a first-year student and complete the general education requirements as part of the bachelor’s degree program.
In either case, the next step in your education will be to complete 30 credits of core requirements. This component of the program begins with a basic-level course called Introduction to Career and Technical Teaching and Training. This class offers a broad overview of essential teaching and learning principles as they relate to teaching middle and high school students about the unique demands of career and technical education.
Then, you’ll complete numerous advanced core courses. You’ll take Professional Roles of the Career and Technical Teacher to get a better idea of what is expected of you inside and outside the classroom. You’ll also take General Methods of Testing Evaluation in Career and Technical Education, which focuses on devising quality assessments to gauge the academic progress of the students in your classes. Other core requirements are as follows:
- Evaluation of Career and Technical Education Instruction
- Special Populations in Career and Technical Education
- Principles and Practices of Technical Education
- Curriculum Development Techniques for Industry Training
- Teaching Adult Learners in Technical Programs
The next phase of the program focuses on course construction. You’ll take one course focused on building classes for business education, health occupations, or industrial education. No matter what specialization you choose, you’ll gain an understanding of how to sequence student learning such that it builds from one concept to the next. You’ll also gain an understanding of how to connect classroom learning and the application of that learning in the real world.
An additional six credits of technical specialization courses are required. For example, you might focus on business education and take classes in the marketing, management, or business administration fields. As another example, you might choose health occupations as your specialization and take courses related to health and human services, mental health, or nursing. You may choose to add a minor to your degree, which can be selected from any technical specialization area in career and technical education.
The final 21 credits of this program are restricted electives. Though you may choose the topics you study, they must be upper-division classes. Furthermore, you must earn at least 12 credits of direct field experience or a teaching internship, which you’ll complete in an approved public or private school setting near where you live.
Once you complete this program, you might be eligible for a variety of education-related careers. You could pursue a certified teaching position in career and technical education. You might also seek a job as a career and technical education curriculum specialist who works directly with teachers to devise engaging learning activities for students.
You can start the process of admissions online if you’re interested in applying to UCF. You must meet the following requirements to apply as a first-year student:
- Complete the UCF online application linked above.
- Submit a $30 application fee.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Submit official SAT or ACT scores.
It is highly recommended that you also submit an application essay.
University of South Florida
Online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
The University of South Florida (USF) provides a wide array of degrees programs. However, the diversity extends beyond just academic offerings. You’ll engage in an academic environment where students represent nearly 150 nations from across the globe. Additionally, 40 percent of the student body consists of people of color. By interacting with so many different experiences perspectives, you’ll gain an appreciation for individuals who differ from you.
USF stands as one of the largest universities in Florida, with an enrollment exceeding 50,000 students in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral programs. You also have access to a robust online learning platform, which allows you to pursue education in various fields from the comfort of your own home.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree are interested in furthering your education, the University of South Florida offers a Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. This program requires you to complete 33 credit hours, typically over two years.
While the core focus is on curriculum instruction, you must complete 24 credits in early childhood education courses to fulfill the program’s requirements. These courses may include, but are not limited to:
- Diversity in Home School
- Play Learning
- Research Seminar: Issues Trends in Early Childhood Education
- Cognition, Comprehension, Content Area Reading: Remediation of Reading
- Professional Development for Student Learning
You’ll also be required to pass a comprehensive exam to demonstrate your mastery of the curriculum. Additionally, you can choose to specialize in one of four areas: reading, teacher leadership, positive behavior support, or interdisciplinary studies.
Regardless of your chosen concentration, you’ll explore current issues in early childhood education, with particular attention to advocacy social justice. This prepares you to become a strong advocate for children an influential force in early childhood education.
To apply for this program, you must complete the following steps:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in education or a closely related field.
- Submit a current curriculum vitae or resume detailing your education, teaching experience, other professional activities.
- Provide a personal statement, writing samples, letters of recommendation if requested.
- Participate in an interview with a faculty committee if requested.
Florida State University
Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction
If you’re ready to enhance your skills and gain a deeper knowledge of the art of teaching, the online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida State University is a worthy option. In fact, this program is ranked in the top five in the nation and provides you with a detailed graduate education delivered by highly experienced faculty.
The primary focus of this program is to improve the effectiveness of classroom teaching. To achieve this goal, you’ll implement what you learn in this program in your own classroom, exploring different techniques, ideas, and approaches for delivering the curriculum to your students. This program is highly reflective, too; you’ll be asked to critically evaluate your abilities to design and deliver curricula, provide engaging instruction, and create an engaging classroom experience.
You’ll need about two years to complete the 30 credits required for graduation. Since this program is designed especially for current teachers, you’ll complete courses on a part-time, year-round basis to minimize the impact on your full-time teaching job.
During the program’s first year, you’ll take basic courses that enhance your understanding of curriculum design and instructional procedures. These classes include the following:
- Making Sense of Data to Inform Instruction
- Using Assessments in the PK-12 Classroom to Differentiate Instruction
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Adaptations and Accommodations for Learners with Disabilities
As you can see, these classes focus on the fundamentals of curriculum instruction. On the one hand, you’ll learn how to collect and analyze data to enhance your ability to deliver targeted instruction to each student. On the other hand, you’ll learn how to devise inclusive activities that take cultural, religious, economic, and social factors into consideration.
The program’s second year focuses on many of the same types of topics. For example, you’ll take Teachers as Informed Curriculum Decision-Makers, which evaluates how you can use data to make more informed decisions about what to teach and how to teach it. As another example, you’ll take a course called Analyzing and Refining Teaching, in which you’ll use data to examine your effectiveness in the classroom and identify areas that need improvement to meet your students’ needs.
Additionally, you’re required to take a Teaching and Technology course that explores modern ways of integrating technology into classroom activities. This is a critical class, as technology is not just an important system for delivering classroom instruction, but its wide application in work and life settings requires students to learn how to use it effectively early in their academic careers.
If you like, you can add a specialization to this degree that focuses on a specific application of curriculum and instruction. Options include the following:
- Early Childhood Education
- English Education
- Social Science Education
- Foreign and Second Language Education
- Mathematics Education
Other options include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elementary Education, Science Education, and Visual Disabilities.
You can complete the graduate application for admission to FSU online. The admissions requirements are as follows:
- Submit your application for admission.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit official GRE scores.
- Provide a one-page statement of purpose describing why you wish to pursue this degree.
- Provide a resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Submit a writing sample, such as a published undergraduate paper.
What are the Requirements to Become a Certified Teacher in Florida?
Becoming a certified teacher in Florida requires you to meet educational prerequisites, complete a teacher certification program, pass the required exams, and submit an application. Here’s how you can achieve each of these steps:
Meet Educational Background Requirements
Your first step to becoming a teacher in Florida is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This is a vital requirement to be eligible for certification and to begin your teaching career.
Complete a Teacher Certification Program
After obtaining your bachelor’s degree, the next step is to apply to a state-approved teacher education program, also known as an Educator Preparation Institute (EPI). EPIs are specifically designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who wish to become educators.
Pass Required Exams
Next, you’ll need to study for and pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). Success in these exams is essential as it brings you closer to obtaining your Florida Professional Certificate and marks a significant milestone in your teaching career.
These exams are designed to assess your knowledge of the subjects you’ll teach and your understanding of teaching methods and student learning strategies.
If you are seeking your first teaching certification, you’ll likely need to pass the FTCE which includes:
- The General Knowledge Test
- Subject Area Examinations (SAEs)
- The Professional Education Test (PET)
Complete Fingerprint and Background Screening
You must undergo a fingerprint and background screening. These screenings will be submitted to the FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to determine your eligibility for teacher certification.
Apply for and Obtain Your Florida Teaching License
Once you have fulfilled the requirements above, you must submit an initial application package. This includes paying the necessary fees, sending your transcripts, and providing any out-of-state or international certificates.
You’ll need to submit a completed application package through the online licensing service with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) or by mail.
You’ll then receive an Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE), valid for three years, which serves as a formal declaration of your eligibility for a Temporary Certificate or a Professional Certificate.
If you are issued a Florida Temporary Certificate, you must secure employment in a public school or a nonpublic school that has a state-approved program for demonstration of professional education competence.
Can I Teach in Florida Without a Teaching Certificate?
No, you cannot teach in Florida without certification as a standard practice. The state requires educators to meet specific prerequisites . However, due to Florida’s current teacher shortage, there are alternative pathways available. One such alternative is the alternative teacher certification program.
How Long Does It Take to Get Teacher Certification in Florida?
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can earn your certification in 12-18 months by completing a post-baccalaureate or alternative teacher certification program. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, it typically takes five to six years to become a certified teacher in Florida . This timeframe includes completing your degree, going through a certification program, passing the FTCE, and applying for certification.