Required Field Experience

There are two courses in the Educator Preparation Institute program that include a field experience.

  1. EPI 0945 Field Experience I
  2. EPI 0940 Field Experience II

EPI students must complete a minimum of 45 hours within each field experience course for a minimum total of 90 hours. This equates to a minimum of four (4) hours each week. Students will demonstrate the skills and competencies learned from the courses that they are concurrently enrolled in with the field experience course.

EPI students employed as full-time teachers or long-term substitute teachers are allowed to complete all of the field experience requirements within their own classrooms/schools so long as there is someone at the school willing to be a supervisor/mentor teacher who meets criteria as outlined by F.S. 1004.04(5). 

EPI students not employed as full-time teachers or long-term substitute teachers are required to complete field experience hours during daytime school hours. The EPI Director will arrange all field experience placements for these individuals at either a Pasco County public school, Hernando County public school, or with Florida Virtual School.

The EPI Director will coordinate with the principal at the assigned schools for all EPI students (full-time teachers or not) to ensure that a mentor/supervising teacher is assigned that meets criteria as outlined by F.S. 1004.04(5).

Applicants are required to complete and submit the EPI Field Experience Request Form during the application process.