All potential students must fill out a general application for Pensacola State College, formerly known as Pensacola Junior College, as well as an application for the Educator Prep Program. Pensacola State College requires applicants to its Educator Prep Institute to pass a screening test. At this point, applicants are invited for an interview. All applicants to the institute must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a fully accredited college or university.
The educator certification program at Pensacola State College typically takes two semesters. Students take one course at a time. Each course lasts approximately one month. Students take four or five courses each semester. Students should begin coursework during the fall semester to complete the program within two semesters.
Each semester, students are required to gain field experience at a school. Students observe teaching practices at public, private and charter schools in the area. Students must attend class two nights a week in addition to Saturday mornings. To obtain a Florida teaching certificate, students must pass a professional exam as well as general knowledge and subject-specific exams.