Information
Frequently Asked Questions
General Admission Program
What does the Elementary Education/ESOL program consist of?
The Elementary Education/ESOL program is a 5 semester full-time (14-18 hours a semester) limited access program. Upon completion, students earn an Elementary Education/ESOL endorsement certification for grades K-6. The program fully prepares preservice educators for a career in the field of Elementary Education. The program’s content is constructed to meet all state requirements for professional educators.
When do I start?
Students are admitted provisionally during their first semester in the program. The program is designed to be completed after all general education requirements have been met or an A.A. degree has been obtained. All students must attend a College of Education orientation before registering for any Elementary Education classes. Orientation dates are available in Student Academic Services (813) 974-1804.
How long will it take me to complete the program?
The program is designed to be completed in 5 semesters with 14-18 credit hours each semester. Students can also take courses part time or at a slower pace. We offer several sections of each course in addition to evening times for flexible scheduling. Although a full time schedule seems to be overwhelming, we do have several students that work throughout the program. Most classes are paired with other courses of similar content or academic level. Please see semester course plans for sample schedules.
Can I take courses in the evenings?
Yes. Night classes rarely, if ever, require permits and generally begin at 5:15 p.m. Most of our courses have evenings sections available with the exception of the field experiences. However, not all courses are offered at night every semester.
How many field experiences will I have, also known as internships?
You will have three field classroom experiences in the Elementary Education program. Level I is one day a week, Level II is two days a week, and your Level III Field Experience (Final Internship) is five days a week.
Am I allowed to choose the school in which I intern?
No, the placement for your Level I and II Field Experiences are determined by your supervising professor. Your Level III Field Experience is determined by the School Board of the county in which you wish to intern within the USF service area. You may request a school for your final internship, but you will need a formal request on school letterhead signed by the principal or a classroom teacher. These requests are fulfilled when possible.
Are there deadlines I need to be aware of?
Yes. There are deadlines for you to register for a college orientation, apply to take the Florida Teacher Certification Exam, graduation, and to submit your final internship application. The Blackboard email list is used to help inform you of deadlines and changes in your program, but it is your responsibility to stay informed!
How do I know when to register?
Your first semester you will be registered after you meet for orientation. After the first semester you will need to register yourself for all your courses. To register you will need to find out your USF registration time and day.
When is my registration time and day?
Registration appointments are determined according to your class ranking. You will need to check OASIS (USF’s student access system) for your appointment time and day a week before registration starts. If you have any difficulty using OASIS, please contact the Registrar’s office at (813) 974-2000; they are there to assist you.
How do I register, what will I need?
You must clear all holds on your account before you can register. Also double check your course times and days on OASIS. Sometimes courses change days and times; OASIS offers the most up to date information. You must also obtain permission for any permit required courses. Most distance learning courses (web based course) require permits or permission from the department. You will not be allowed to register for a permit course until you have been issued authorization.
How do I know what to register for?
All your courses are outlined on the course plan sheet. It is very important to follow the course sequence. Course plan sheets are available on the bulletin board outside of EDU 202. If you have any questions with registration or course sequence please email mesebti@usf.edu.
How can I stay better informed?
At Orientation your USF email will be subscribed to the Elementary Education program email list. Periodically notifications of important program and course information is sent using this email list. You are responsible for regularly checking your USF email for this information.
If you have any other questions during your time at USF, please first consult the USF Undergraduate Catalog for the year you began the program or the Schedule of Classes catalog. If either of these publications is unable to answer your question, please contact the Childhood Education office at 974-3460 (EDU 202) or Student Academic Services at 974-1804 (EDU 106). You are, however, responsible for the information contained within those publications.