School of Education

Program Advisors

All students who are interested in becoming teachers or learning more about the teaching profession should contact the MDC SOE Advisement Offices at soeadvisement@mdc.edu to learn more! In order to ensure that you are registering for the correct classes that you need to achieve your educational goal, it is important to get correct information. Advisors/case managers will provide career and education counseling to individuals interested in pursuing employment in the field of education and support to MDC SOE students in their ongoing quest for teaching excellence. Advisors/case managers will review your degree audit, grade point average (GPA), pathway progress, and provide program counseling. Bachelor of Science students are assigned an advisor/case manager who will support their studies from entry to graduation. Advisement services are provided in the areas of early childhood credentialing (FCCPC, NCDA), bachelor’s degree programs, teacher initial certification, certificate and credential renewals, alternative certification programs, and endorsement programs.

Advisors/case managers are specially trained to be knowledgeable about the MDC SOE programs as well as financial aid and scholarship information. Hours of advisement are Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm, and Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. No appointment is needed to meet with an advisor/case manager.

Clinical Experience

To ensure the safety and well-being of both students and staff, teacher candidates enrolled in MDC SOE courses and completing clinical experience hours in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) or Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers must undergo a mandatory Level 2 clearance through a fingerprinting background check.

All MDC students, regardless of their employment status, must obtain a clearance card to fulfill the clinical experience requirements for their program. Additional information may be found in the Fingerprinting & Security Clearance section of the Work-Based Learning Handbook.

Step-by-Step Process

To receive your Security Clearance Card, you must first complete fingerprinting with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Fingerprinting.

Important: MDC does not automatically receive your clearance information. You must submit a request after your appointment so we can verify your clearance.

Step 1: Schedule Your Fingerprinting Appointment

You must schedule your fingerprinting appointment with the M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting.

To schedule your appointment:

• Visit: hr.dadeschools.net
• Click Personnel Services
• Select Fingerprinting
• Click Overview
• Select Intern Scheduling System
• Choose and confirm your appointment date

Deadline: Complete this step by the end of the first week of the semester.

Step 2: Attend Your Fingerprinting Appointment

You must attend your scheduled appointment with the M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting.

Bring the following items:

• Valid ID (Driver’s License, Passport, or Florida ID)
• Social Security Card (U.S. students) or Passport (international students)
• $99 payment (Visa or MasterCard only)
• Service Provider Input Document

Step 3: Submit Your Security Clearance Card Request

After you have been fingerprinted, you must submit your request to the MDC School of Education.

Submit your Security Clearance Card Request

Important:

• Do not submit this form before completing your fingerprinting appointment
• Submitting the form does not mean your card will be issued immediately
• MDC must first verify your clearance status with M-DCPS

Step 4: Wait for Clearance Verification

The M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting may take 2–3 weeks or longer to provide your clearance status.

MDC cannot issue your Security Clearance Card until this verification is received.

Once your clearance is confirmed:

• Your card will be issued using the information from your request
• You will receive an email from clearancecard@mdc.edu when your card is ready

Need an Update?

If you have not received an update after 3 weeks, you may contact the M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting:

Phone: 305-995-7472

Important Reminders

• You must be fingerprinted by M-DCPS before submitting your request
• MDC does not receive fingerprinting results automatically
• Processing times depend on M-DCPS verification

Clinical Teaching Lab

Mini-Teach Lesson Simulation

Through this simulation, pre-service educators progressively develop their instructional skills by designing, developing, and implementing standards-based lessons. This serves as a bridge between educational theory and instructional practice. Designed for students enrolled in ECE3301, EDG2130, TSL3080, and EEX3070

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Allows students to earn academic credit for prior learning experiences through evidence-based demonstration of competencies.

Targeted for Apprentices, Para-to-Teach Candidates, and Bachelor Applicants

Currently offered for the following courses: EDF1005, EME2071, EDF2144, EEX2000, EME2040, EEC1000

FTCE Examination

Provides structured strategies and resources to prepare for Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) through FTCE webinars, online study platforms, credit courses and in-person bootcamps.

TRIAD Model of Support

Designed to enhance pre-service teacher effectiveness and impact through three components:

Cycles of Assistance- A structured, student-centered process to identify and respond to academic and/or performance related challenges

Prescribed Professional Learning - aligned to student needs and instructional performance

• Lesson Plan Development Workshops
• Classroom Behavioral Management Training
• Instructional Strategies Seminars
• Technology Integration Clinics

College Wide Support - support systems focused on supporting the student holistically

• Advisement
• Learning Resources
• Single Stop
• Career Exploration
• Financial Aid
• Wellness Center

Contact Information:
For more information, connect with Dr. Princess Briggs at pbriggs2@mdc.edu.

Explore the resources of the Clinical Teaching Lab and take the next step toward a successful teaching career!

For FTCE-Florida Teacher Certification Examination information, please visit: https://www.mdc.edu/testing/tests/ftce/

Teacher Certification

Becoming a certified teacher in Florida is an important step toward entering the classroom with confidence. The School of Education is committed to helping students understand the Florida Department of Education certification process, prepare for required exams, and access study tools that support their success.

Florida Teacher Certification Process

Teacher certification in Florida is managed by the Florida Department of Education's Bureau of Educator Certification. Students seeking certification should review the official FLDOE requirements and complete the steps required for their specific certification area.

The general process includes:

1. Submit an initial application to FLDOE
   Applicants must complete the Florida Educator Certification application, pay the required processing fee, and submit official transcripts. (Florida Department of Education)
2. Receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility
   After FLDOE reviews the completed application package, applicants receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, often called the SOE. This document outlines whether the applicant is eligible for certification and identifies any remaining requirements. (Florida Department of Education)
3. Complete required certification exams
   Students may be required to pass Florida Teacher Certification Examinations, also known as FTCE exams, depending on their program and certification area. FLDOE provides test information and registration guidance through the FTCE/FELE testing website. (Florida Department of Education)

Students are encouraged to review their FLDOE status regularly and speak with an advisor if they have questions about how certification requirements align with their academic program.

Certification Exam Preparation

The School of Education provides access to study resources that can help students prepare for Florida certification exams. These platforms offer practice questions, study guides, video lessons, and practice tests designed to support exam readiness.

Study.com

Study.com offers FTCE preparation resources, including short video lessons, practice questions, quizzes, and full-length practice tests for several Florida certification exams. (study.com)

Students may use Study.com to review exam content, strengthen areas of need, and practice before taking required certification exams.

240 Tutoring

240 Tutoring provides FTCE study guides that include practice questions, video lessons, instructional content, and quizzes. (240 Tutoring)

Students may use 240 Tutoring to create a study plan, review key competencies, and monitor their progress as they prepare for certification exams.

Need Support?

Students who need assistance understanding certification requirements, selecting the correct exam, or accessing study platforms should contact the School of Education for guidance.