Master of Elementary Education at University of Florida

University of Florida

United States of America, Gainesville

University Rank:#212

The Elementary Education at University of Florida is a Full Time Master program offered at the university's main campus in Gainesville , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus in English and can be completed in 2 years. Students develop academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them for future careers in this field. The next available intake starts on January 9, 2027.

About Master of Elementary Education

Program Information

The School of Teaching & Learning offers the Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Master of Arts in Education (M.A.E.) degrees in Elementary Education. More information about the requirements for these degrees can be found in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

The School of Teaching & Learning offers two distinct programs for preparing and certifying elementary school teachers: the Unified Elementary Professional Teacher (UEP) Graduate Program and the Alternative Certification in Elementary Education (SITE) Program.

The Unified Elementary Professional Teacher (UEP) Graduate Program

UEP is a 5-year elementary teacher preparation program that culminates in a Master's Degree in Education (M.Ed.). Students enter the program in the junior year of their undergraduate education. After successful completion of two years of undergraduate work in the program, students apply to graduate school and if accepted, complete a three-semester graduate year comprised of rigorous academic coursework and a yearlong internship in an elementary classroom.

The master's year is designed to deepen students' content knowledge while enhancing their pedagogical knowledge and instructional skills. It is a year for serious teacher preparation yielding highly effective graduates able to positively impact K-6 student learning from their first year of teaching, particularly elementary students who have shown patterns of underachievement including students with disabilities, students whose first language is not English, and students living in poverty. Master's students who successfully complete the program are eligible for Professional Teacher Certification in Florida (K-6) as well as the English for Speakers Of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement (K-12) and the Florida Reading Endorsement (K-12.)

Prerequisites: Students who expect to do graduate work in the Unified Elementary ProTeach program must first have successfully completed the undergraduate portion of the 5-year program earning a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Education (B.A.E). A GPA of 3.0 is required for entry into the graduate portion of the program as well as an acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, and three letters of recommendation.

For more information, please see our website: http://education.ufl.edu/elementary-education/proteach.

Alternative Certification in Elementary Education (SITE) Program

The Site-based Implementation of Teacher Education (SITE) program at the University of Florida is a state-designated Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) created to attract talented college graduates and career path changers with non-education majors to the elementary classroom. The yearlong teacher-residency program provides an alternative, accelerated pathway to teaching experience and certification for prospective teachers who possess an undergraduate degree outside of education. The clinical internship combines supervised classroom teaching and formal study, with successful completion leading to a master's (M.Ed.) degree in Elementary Education. The SITE program leads to eligibility for the Professional Certificate in Elementary Education K-6 and the Reading Endorsement in Florida.

Many students come to the program with degrees or professional experience in fields such as accounting, business, English, family studies, history, journalism, nursing and psychology. Selection for entry into this full-time internship requires a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA; a stellar essay/statement of purpose; three professional letters of recommendation; and a Statement of Status of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education.

Interns complete 36 credit hours of study and classroom teaching over three semesters, all under the supervision of a school-based mentor and a university coach. The mentor teacher and intern teach side-by-side throughout the entire school year, while the UF coach makes regular classroom visits to problem-solve, observe and reflect on teaching skills, and provide individualized support. Along with their planning, teaching and coursework responsibilities, the interns become familiar with the school improvement goals and new programs initiated at their host schools. SITE coursework is taught by UF education professors and teachers in Alachua County elementary schools who all have proven expertise in K-12 teaching.

SITE is intended to culminate in certification to teach in Florida. Graduates wishing to teach in states other than Florida should contact the Department of Education in their state of choice for certification requirements there.

For additional information about the program please visit: http://education.ufl.edu/site.

Elementary Education (MAE)

SLO 1 Knowledge
The student will master research-based knowledge of teaching and learning in elementary education.

SLO 2 Knowledge
The student will critique teaching practices based on knowledge of the developmental and socio-cultural context of the learner.

SLO 3 Skills
The student will investigate a problem or question within the field of elementary education.

SLO 4 Professional Behavior The student will present a written and oral presentation and defense of a topic of investigation in elementary education that demonstrates critical thinking and effective
communication skills.

Elementary Education (MEd)

SLO 1 Knowledge
The student will master research-based knowledge of best practices of teaching and learning in elementary education.

SLO 2 Skills
The student will use knowledge of teaching and learning to organize instruction, develop and apply appropriate inclusive teaching practices for elementary education, evaluate the impact of instruction on student learning, and create a positive learning environment.

SLO 3 Professional Behavior
The student will collaborate with other professionals, reflect upon and research his or her own practice, and demonstrate a sense of efficacy and ethical practice.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Elementary Education at University of Florida

Entry Requirements

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6
TOEFLMin 80

English Program Requirements

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Elementary Education at University of Florida

How to Apply for Master of Elementary Education at University of Florida

Start by exploring our more than 250 degree programs to determine the application requirements and if additional items, such as transcripts, portfolios or recommendation letters, are needed in your application. Application deadlines also vary by department, so be sure to apply before the deadline.

Regardless of program, all graduate students apply using the UF graduate school application through CollegeNET. You will select your college and major within the application. Complete the application and pay the $30 non-refundable application fee. Review your application carefully before submission, as changes cannot be made once the application is submitted.

The Office of Admissions does not provide an application fee waiver. If needed, check directly with the program to which you are applying. Additionally, if your application is not considered because the application deadline is passed, UF will not issue you a refund for the application fee. It is important to know the application deadlines for the intended major.

If you are applying to more than one program, you must complete an application for each program and pay the non-refundable application fee

Official test scores must be sent to UF electronically by the testing agency.

GRE

Review your program requirements to determine if GRE scores are needed. Most applicants must submit GRE scores, but some programs in the College of the Arts do not require these. When using electronic delivery, select school code 5812 (University of Florida). UF does not superscore the GRE.

GMAT

All MBA applicants must submit satisfactory scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test. GMAT scores may also be accepted by certain MHA, Sport Management, and Food and Resource Economics programs. Contact individual departments for specific requirements. When ordering your scores from GMAC, select the department you intend to apply to here at the University of Florida.

Fundamentals of Engineering

Some engineering programs will accept FE scores as a substitute for the GRE. Contact individual programs for requirements.

Exemptions

Applicants with a previous graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution may be exempt from the Graduate Record Exam or Graduate Management Admission Test at the program's discretion.

Verifying Receipt of Scores

Requested scores generally arrive to UF within 2-4 weeks

Send your transcripts to the UF Office of Admissions.

For the purpose of initial review, the Office of Admissions accepts unofficial transcripts. These can be uploaded through your Application Status page.

Applicants who receive an offer of admissions should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the UF Office of Admissions from each postsecondary institution attended. If you attended UF as your postsecondary institution, you do not have to order a transcript from the Office of the University Registrar. Official transcripts can be sent to UF in two ways: paper transcript received by UF in a sealed envelope or electronic transcripts sent from your institution directly to UF, which can save up to two weeks response time. UF accepts electronic transcripts through FASTER, Parchment, National Student Clearing House, ScribbleSoft, e-Scrip Safe, Credential Solutions, SCOIR or Transcripts Plus.

All academic credentials become property of the university. They will not be returned to you or forwarded to a third party. For diplomas and academic credentials that are only issued once, please send an attested or certified copy of the original.

Transcript updates can be found within your Application Status page. Transcripts uploaded or received by mail will display on the Application Checklist as Transcript - Under Review. Once the transcripts are reviewed, these checklist items will be removed, and the Awaiting Transcript checklist items will be updated accordingly. We process transcripts as quickly as possible. The Admissions Office prioritizes the review of transcripts needed for students to register for the current term.

Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé that is uploaded within your graduate application.

If the program of interest requires recommendation letters, these should be submitted electronically through the admissions application. You must request these recommendations prior to submitting your application. You cannot add or delete recommendations once your application has been submitted. If your recommendation is supplied by paper or PDF, check with your academic program to inquire if this will be accepted.

You can check the receipt of materials by the Office of Admissions on the Check Status page. This page will only reflect information concerning materials forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions and does not include materials that are required to be sent directly to your academic unit.

Approximately 24-48 hours after submitting your online application, your 8-digit UF Identification Number (UFID) will be available on the status of your application. Use the same username and password used to submit your CollegeNET application.

Your UFID is unique to you and should be used in all email communication and any subsequent applications submitted. If you do not use your UFID in communications and submissions, it is difficult for us to match your test scores, transcripts, and financial aid information to your academic record.

Master of Elementary Education at University of Florida

University of Florida

United States of America, Gainesville