GRADUATE PROGRAMS
THE SPACE BETWEEN WHO YOU WERE AND WHO YOU ’ LL
BECOME
Program Highlights
BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER
Graduates become instructional leaders in their schools and districts, implementing best practices, innovative teaching strategies, and a commitment to continuous student success.
FLEXIBLE PARTICIPATION
Educators can enroll in one of four ways:
Post baccalaureate non-degree seeking Graduate certificate
Master’s or Doctorate degrees
COMMUNITY
Graduates join a supportive, close-knit cohort focused on enhancing teaching practices and student learning. Seventy percent of UNF grads remain in the region, strengthening local schools.
DISTRICT SPECIFIC CURRICULUM
Our faculty continually update and expand the curriculum to incorporate the latest teaching strategies and research. New graduate certificates and course clusters can be developed to meet educators’ evolving needs.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Strengthen your school community by investing in meaningful professional development that reduces teacher turnover and empowers educators in a collaborative learning environment.
RESEARCH GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Our dedicated grant team supports teachers in securing and managing research grants, helping educators bring innovative programs and instructional improvements to their classrooms and districts.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Customizable programs are designed to align with educators’ goals, providing studentcentered instruction, personalized faculty support, and flexible learning options.
AFFORDABLE TUITION
Affordable, competitive tuition: approx. $1,500 per course. UNF alumni who enroll within five years of earning their bachelor’s degree qualify for an exclusive tuition rate.*
*Florida Resident Tuition Rates
Program List
Graduate Certificates
These established programs allow your teachers to advance in a specific area at the graduate level. This pathway is quicker and more affordable than a traditional graduate program. In most cases, these courses can be transferred into a graduate program if your teachers decide to complete a master’s degree later on. The Silverfield College of Education and Human Services currently offers the following graduate certificates:
Advanced Literacy Practices for Engaging Learners
Advanced Secondary Instruction
Certificate in Partnerships with Individuals with Disabilities and Families
Early Childhood Education Certificate
Educational Leadership Certificate
Elementary STEM Education Certificate
K-12 Reading Endorsement
Secondary Teacher Thinking and Decision Making Certificate
Sport Management Certificate
Teacher Inquiry Certificate
Teacher Leadership for Professional and Student Learning Certificate
Teaching Diverse Learners Certificate
TESOL-EdTech Certificate
Whole Child Certificate
SUPPORTING CERTIFICATION NEEDS
Florida Certified Teachers
Endorsements
Endorsements are specialized credentials added to a teaching certificate, allowing teachers to demonstrate expertise in specific areas beyond their primary certification. We offer a selection of courses that may be applied toward eligibility for several endorsements, including ESOL, Reading, and ASL. The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) conducts a transcript review to determine whether specific courses fulfill the requirements for an endorsement. While the FLDOE makes the final determination, the courses listed below have previously been recognized as applicable for these endorsements.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement
Fifteen (15) semester hours in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) to include credit in each of the areas specified below:
TSL 6345: Methods of Teaching in ESOL and Bilingual Settings
TSL 6142: ESOL Curriculum Development
TSL 6525: Cross-Cultural Communication and Knowledge
TSL 6254: Applied Linguistics and Grammar for Educators
TSL 6440: Assessment in ESOL Settings
Reading Endorsement
Fifteen (15) semester hours in reading coursework based upon scientifically based reading research with a focus on both the prevention and remediation of reading difficulties to include the areas specified below:
RED6657 Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction
RED6656 Adv Foundations of Reading
RED5846 Practicum in Reading
RED Elective
RED Elective
American Sign Language (ASL) Endorsement
Eighteen (18) semester hours in American Sign Language to include three (3) semester hours in each area specified below:
ASL 4603: First and Second Language Acquisition
ASL 3301: ASL Structure
ASL 3514: Deaf Culture
ASL 4602: Methods of Teaching ASL
ASL 4211: American Sign Language IV
ASL 4702: American Sign Language Literature
Athletic Coaching* Coming Soon!
Clinical Educator Training (CET)
The Clinical Educator Training program is an essential opportunity for teachers who are interested in mentoring teacher candidates. Facilitated by our dedicated faculty, this training is designed to be both interactive and informative, with sessions offered in face-to-face or virtual formats to accommodate participants’ needs.
The training is available at least once a semester or can be scheduled upon request from a partner school, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for teachers. As a program mandated by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), it holds great importance in preparing mentor teachers to effectively guide teacher candidates. Participants gain valuable strategies for mentoring, including techniques for conducting conferences, utilizing data collection, providing targeted feedback, and supporting teaching experiences.
By equipping mentor teachers with these tools, the Clinical Educator Training ensures a collaborative and supportive learning environment, fostering growth for both mentors and teacher candidates.
Professional Services: School Cou
The Master of Education in Counselor Education with a concentration in School Counseling equips graduates with the skills and certification needed to serve as PK-12 school guidance counselors in the State of Florida. Designed as a selective cohort program admitting 20-30 students annually, it fosters a collaborative learning environment where participants grow alongside their peers. Through rigorous coursework and over 700 hours of supervised field experiences across three to four semesters, graduates emerge as highly qualified professionals ready to meet the needs of students and schools. Partnering with our program offers districts a valuable opportunity to develop a pipeline of skilled counselors to support the academic, emotional and social well-being of their students.
Administrative/Educational Leadership
School Leadership with FELE
The Master of Education in Educational Leadership is designed for teachers aspiring to advance into administrative roles such as principals, assistant principals, and deans within the public school system. This state-approved program includes the endorsement required for educational leadership certification, making it a vital step for those looking to transition into school leadership. The 30-credit curriculum combines research-based studies in educational policy, instructional leadership, and management skills with practical insights into effective schools and innovative practices. Applicants must hold a valid professional teaching certificate and have at least one year of teaching experience. Guided by a commitment to fostering excellence in teaching and learning, this program equips future administrators with the knowledge and vision to lead schools effectively and inspire educational success.
Athletic Administration
The Master of Education with a concentration in Athletic Administration offers a transformative opportunity for aspiring leaders in school athletic programs. In today's dynamic and diverse environment, athletic administrators play a critical role in fostering excellence, equity and leadership within interscholastic sports. As the demand for skilled professionals in these unique educational settings grows, this program equips graduates with the expertise to navigate challenges and lead with confidence. The program’s comprehensive curriculum includes 12 hours of educational leadership courses, 12 hours of graduate-level sport-specific courses and 6 hours of foundational coursework from the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services. Together, these components prepare teachers to excel in shaping the future of athletics within your district.
Initial Florida Certification
Career Changer or College Grad with Non-Education Background
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is ideal for individuals seeking a career in education, specifically as classroom teachers. UNF's MAT programs are designed to prepare you for a professional teaching license, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently lead a classroom. UNF's MAT programs offer flexible options that are tailored to a variety of subject areas and age groups, ensuring you are prepared to meet the diverse needs of students in today's educational landscape.
This program is particularly well-suited for those looking to transition into teaching from another career or for current teachers with non-education degrees interested in upgrading from a temporary to a professional teaching certificate. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree. For those interested in secondary education, a bachelor's degree in a related field or specific subject area such as English, mathematics, science or the social sciences is required.
on: Prepare to teach in an ing, where you’ll provide literacy, math, science, and ng young learners' curiosity development during these
n: Prepare to teach in a l setting (6-12), where you'll p critical thinking skills and ing of the world as they adulthood, while providing nowledge in one of the as: Biology Education; ; English Language Arts cation; Middle School Math Education; Social Studies
Exceptional Student Education: Prepare to teach and support students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). You'll gain expertise in high-leverage practices, universal design for learning, special education law, positive behavior supports, and datadriven instruction to effectively meet diverse student needs.
”
“Before starting the master’s program, I had spent about 14 or 15 years in education. I was feeling burnt out and run down, but this program reignited my passion for education.
-Jessie Didier, Student Support Success Director
Personalized
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Community BENEFITS A
We are proud to share that nearly a quarter of Duval County Public Schools employees are alumni of our teacher preparation programs, a testament to our commitment to preparing highly qualified teachers and staff who serve our local schools. Additionally, seventy percent of our graduates choose to stay in the region, contributing to the strength and stability of our local education system. When you choose UNF, you drive the evolution of one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. Our collaborative nature allows us to develop dynamic partnerships that meet critical needs and provide students with direct access to experiential learning.
Faculty Support
Having faculty who live and work locally and are available to support you is crucial in encouraging positive change and supporting ongoing innovation and improvement in your schools and classrooms. Faculty who are members of the community understand the unique needs and challenges of local teachers and staff, creating a more personalized and relevant learning experience. Their presence fosters strong relationships, provides accessible mentorship and ensures that learning opportunities are directly aligned with your goals. Our faculty are here to support and empower you as you work to advance your skills and better serve your students.
Online Learning Environment
For online coursework, we use the Canvas. Online courses are mostly asynchronous with some components that are synchronous. Instructors schedule live sessions at mutually convenient times and record these sessions for those who are unable to attend. Students in UNF’s graduate degree programs, certificates and micro-credentials
can expect to engage in applied learning activities that directly relate to the work they are doing in their classrooms. While courses are academically rigorous, they are also fun!
“The program gave me a different approach from what I had learned before and I feel that I am much more effective. I’ve also learned to work with my peers better, the other staff members here we bounced ideas off one another, I’m not tech savvy but there were people there to help me whenever I needed it. I say to anyone, whenever you’re presented with this opportunity, take it, I feel UNF is a great place to learn.”
-Jacqueline Bourne, Teacher and Voluntary PreK DIrector
Cohort Benefits
Thecohortlearningmodelfacilitatescollaborationwithpeersandcanenhancethe learningexperiencewhilefosteringasenseofcommunity.Cohortlearning provides: connectiontothesupportofyourpeersinadditiontoprofessors opportunitiestoconnectwithcohortmemberswhohavedifferentexperiences andbackgrounds opportunitiestonetworkandbuildstrongprofessionalrelationshipswithinthe schoolordistrictcommunity
Thesebenefitsaresometimesdifficulttoexperienceinonlinelearningsettingsbut beingpartofacohortopenstheonlinelearningenvironment,creatingagroupof memberscapableofmotivatingoneanothertowatchlectures,complete assignmentsandcontributetodiscussions.
SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Symposiums and Workshops
STEP Into Learning Network Symposium
Hosted by UNF, this symposium brings together researchers, teachers and community partners to build impactful collaborations in early childhood STEAM education.
Seven Bridges Writing Project Summer Institute
The Seven Bridges Writing Project (SBWP) invites K-12 English teachers to join a collaborative network that unites teachers and faculty across Northeast Florida to advance writing instruction, create meaningful learning experiences for students, and foster a supportive space for teachers as writers. Hosted by UNF and inspired by the National Writing Project's "teachers teaching teachers" philosophy, the annual three-day Seven Bridges Writing Project Summer Institute offers strategies to engage student writers while helping teachers refine their craft.
Initiatives
C.A.M.P Osprey (Collegiate Achievement Mentoring Program)
C.A.M.P. Osprey pairs collegiate student leaders with students in grades 5–9 from DCPS to cultivate leadership skills, academic success, and community involvement. This dynamic program integrates mentoring, leadership training, and campus visits to inspire and empower students. Serving communities across Northeast Florida and beyond, C.A.M.P. Osprey delivers its initiatives through a blend of in-person and virtual experiences.
inSTEP Field Trips
The UNF inSTEP field trips provide teachers and students with a unique opportunity to enhance STEM learning by exploring our on-campus Solve Tinker Explore Play (STEP) Lab and visiting the research labs of STEM professors engaged in cutting-edge work. These field trips are designed to foster deeper, extended student learning by moving beyond the typical “one-and-done" field trip experience. They offer a multi-phase approach that includes pre- and post-trip classroom lessons for teachers. Each trip is carefully aligned with specific Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for science and Florida’s B.E.S.T. standards for English Language Arts.
High School Virtual Teaching Academy
UNF’s free Virtual Teaching Academy gives high school students in the Jacksonville region the opportunity to enroll in up to four select UNF courses while in their junior and senior year.
Osprey AmeriCorps Junior Teachers and JTR AmeriCorps Senior Year Residency
The Jacksonville Teacher Residency (JTR) AmeriCorps offers exciting undergraduate programs designed for juniors and seniors in elementary, secondary, preK primary, exceptional student education, deaf education or music education. This year-long service-learning experience offers an incredible opportunity for aspiring teachers who will complete their field placements in a high-need classroom in Duval, St. Johns, or Clay County, while receiving a living stipend and other valuable benefits.
Read USA Mentors
This pathway offers UNF sophomores, juniors and seniors, who are pursuing degrees in teacher education, the opportunity to become READ USA literacy tutors. READ USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving literacy rates among elementary students in under-served communities, will train and employ UNF students to deliver daily, intensive literacy interventions to third, fourth, and fifth graders in Duval County. By participating, students will gain hands-on experience in the classroom while making a meaningful impact on young learners.
