It is highly recommended that students complete the Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE) including the General Knowledge Test, Professional Education Test, and Elementary Education (K-6) Subject Area Examination prior to graduation. A Trinity College graduate holding a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Elementary Education meets the Subject Specialization Requirements for Elementary Education (Grades K-6) in order to qualify for the Florida Temporary Educator Certificate. The Temporary Certificate is issued only after the individual has successfully interviewed for a teaching position and is employed in a Florida public, state-supported, or state-approved private school, and has completed all application process requirements including a fingerprint clearance. The Temporary Certificate is valid for three school years and is nonrenewable. Most teachers with a valid Temporary Certificate who have achieved passing scores on all parts of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) are eligible to apply for a Professional Certificate after they have demonstrated Professional Education Competence (PEC), verified by the school principal after the first year of full-time employment as a teacher. (See fldoe.org/teaching/certification/ for complete details on certification.)

All Trinity College Elementary Education majors will complete the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certification process. Most students desiring to teach in
Christian, Private, Missions, or International schools will complete their Field Internships and Senior Year Student Teaching Internships in Christian or Private schools. Those focused on teaching in Missions schools have the option of completing their final Student Teaching Internship in a Missions setting. These students are also strongly encouraged to participate in short term missions opportunities or other intercultural ministry experiences and to choose electives from Intercultural Studies courses.

In addition to the practical application of teaching methods and philosophies that are learned as an Elementary Education Major, it is important to remember that every student graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College also double majors in Bible and Theology. Trinity is first and foremost a Bible College with a mission that every student will be immersed in the teachings of Scripture and how it applies to each student’s program of study. Having a double major in Elementary Education and Bible and Theology uniquely equips individuals to effectively teach children the Word of God in Church and Ministry settings. Most students desiring to teach in Church and Children’s ministry settings will complete their Field Internships and Senior Year Student Teaching Internships in Christian schools.

For specific information regarding Florida certification, students may contact the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Suite 201, Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

Yes! Although many people think they can’t afford to go to college, a large percentage of students receive some type of financial assistance, including our degree completion students. Our financial aid representatives are ready to help you sort through the different types of financial aid and show you how to get the assistance available to you.

Trinity College of Florida is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.

Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (U.S. Department of Education database)

APPROVALS:
– Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400, toll-free telephone number (888) 224-6684.
– Trinity College is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students, and
– United States Department of Education for Federal Pell Grants and other Federal financial aid programs, and
– Approved to enable the certified veteran to gain financial supplement for education.

MEMBERSHIPS:
– American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
– Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges (ABACC)
– Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
– Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
– Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)
– Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS)
– Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA)
– National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (NAICU)
– National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)
– Tampa Bay Library Consortium (TBLC)

Every college and university has the right to decide what credits they will transfer in their programs. Trinity College uses the (SCNS) Numbering System. This numbering system is used by all public postsecondary institutions in Florida and by participating non-public institutions. The major purpose of this system is to facilitate the transfer of courses between participating institutions. Students and administrators can use the online SCNS to obtain course descriptions and specific information about course transfer between participating Florida institutions. This information is at the SCNS website, go there and download the SCNS Handbook to see the list of schools and courses at Florida Department of Education.