Education for Instruction

Education Degree Become a Licensed Teacher Through Real Classroom Experience
Start working in classrooms in your first year and prepare for teacher certification through JU’s teaching degree: Education for Instruction.
At 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ, you will not just study education — you will practice it alongside experienced teachers in real classrooms across Jacksonville.
The Education for Instruction major is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Undergraduate education degree designed to allow you to have the chance to participate in internships, independent studies, and community service opportunities designed to meet your individual goals of being a change agent in your community. Through this education degree, you will be prepared to fill in-demand positions, providing front-line education, curriculum development, instruction, presentations, and leadership in all aspects of community development.
what you can expect
Education for Instruction Major
| Benefit |
|---|
|
Classroom experience starting in your first year |
|
Five distinct school placements before student teaching (including public and charter schools in the Jacksonville, FL area). |
|
A full semester of student teaching |
|
Eligibility to sit for the Florida teacher certification exam |

Undergraduate Education Major Why take an Education Degree at 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ
Learn to Teach by Teaching
Most programs delay classroom experience until late in your college career. At Jacksonville University, you begin working with students and teachers early and often.
Is your passion elementary education? If so, this degree will support and develop your skills in local classrooms.
You will complete five different classroom placements before your final student teaching experience and complete an accredited Education Degree. This means you graduate with real confidence, not just theory.
Our students develop their teaching skills over time through
- Direct mentorship from practicing educators
- Structured field experiences across multiple grade levels
- Small class sizes that allow for individualized feedback and growth
This is not simulated preparation. This is real teaching experience.
Florida Teacher Certification
How Teaching Certification Works
Becoming a certified teacher in Florida requires passing the .
At 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ:
- Your coursework aligns with state expectations
- Your field experiences prepare you for real classroom environments
- Faculty guide you through the certification process
Because our students come from across the country, the program is designed to provide flexibility for licensure in Florida and beyond.

Your Pathway to Teaching Licensure & Non-Teaching Education Careers
Important to know
All students are supported through the licensure process, including guidance for Florida exam preparation and certification requirements.
A Clear and Supported Route to Becoming a Teacher in any U.S. State.
91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ prepares you to become a licensed teacher throughout the USA, while giving you flexibility in how you apply your education degree.
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Elementary Education Pathway
K-6 Teaching | Primary School Teaching
- Begin classroom observations in your first year
- Complete at least 455 hours of field experience
- Engage in five distinct placements
- Complete a full semester of student teaching
- Graduate eligible to sit for the Florida Subject Area Exam
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Secondary Education Pathway
K-12 Teaching | High School Teaching
- Major in your academic discipline
- Complete the education minor OR complete a double major in Education for Instruction and your content degree
- Participate in field placements
- Graduate prepared for teaching licensure in their subject area
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Beyond the Classroom Pathway
Training | Ed Tech | Instructional Design
Through customized internships and community service, working with seniors, non-profits, community programs, coaching and health care, you will build in-demand leadership skills, design innovative curricula, and graduate ready to act as a powerful change agent in diverse, flexible environments such as:
- Instructional Design
- Corporate Training
- Educational Technology
- Nonprofit Development
Education Major JU’s Education Degree Curriculum
The Education for Instruction Degree program at 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ prepares you for the 21st-century world by structuring educational pedagogy with multiple opportunities to be engaged in realistic applications in the community. When you graduate from this program, you will be prepared to provide frontline education, instruction, presentations, and leadership in all aspects of community development. The program is designed to allow you a strong liberal arts experience, coupled with transdisciplinary classes across the JU campus.
Education for Instruction Core Classes
| Prefix Number |
Course Title |
Crs | Area | Sem | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EDU 102 |
Human Devel. and Learning |
3 |
M |
F/S |
|
|
EDU 103 |
Intro and Foundations of Ed. |
3 |
M |
F/S |
|
|
EDU 211 |
Classroom Management |
3 |
M |
S |
|
|
EDU 231 |
Mtg Needs of Diverse Learn. |
3 |
M |
S |
|
|
EDU 248 |
Methods of Teaching ESOL |
3 |
M |
F |
|
|
EDU 312 SI |
Intro. To Civic Engagement |
3 |
M |
F/S |
Service Learning (satisfies QEP) |
|
EDU 306 WI |
Intro. to Leadership |
3 |
M |
S |
|
|
EDU 401 |
Measurement, Eval. & Assess. In Educ. |
3 |
M |
F |
|
|
EDU 432 |
Effective Instructional Strategies |
3 |
M |
F |
|
|
EDU 486 |
Reading and Learning Skills |
3 |
M |
S |
|
|
|
Total |
30 |
|
|
|
Your degree plan allows you to select a concentration from 4 different topics. You design the program that will best guide your future, and we work with you to achieve your goals:
- Literacy Education
- ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages)
- Community Education or
- Elementary Education (If you select Elementary Education, you will complete student teaching and study Literacy and ESOL.)
Refer to the complete list of program options and course requirements in the .
Education for Instruction Program at a Glance
At 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ, you are not one of hundreds in a lecture hall. Our smaller program size allows for:
- Close relationships with faculty
- Individualized coaching on teaching methods
- Continuous feedback across your development
This is where teaching becomes a craft, not just a concept.
Real Experience in Real Classrooms
Five Placements. One Confident Teacher.
You will not rely on a single student teaching experience to learn how to teach. Instead, you will build your skills across multiple environments:
- Public schools through our partnership with
- Charter schools across Jacksonville
- Diverse classroom settings and student populations
By the time you reach student teaching, you are not starting from scratch. You are refining skills you have already practiced.
Your Education Degree Career Pathways
Our education degree graduates pursue a range of careers in teaching and beyond, including:
- Elementary and Secondary Teaching
- Education Administration
- Nonprofit Management & Advocacy Roles
- Community Education Specialist
- Education Coordinator
- Educational Nonprofits and Community Programs
- Youth Program Coordinators
- Literacy Programs Managers
- Community-Based Programming
- After School Learning
- Graduate study in education
Whether you choose to teach immediately or explore broader educational roles, you will graduate with the skills to lead and adapt.
* Yearly Salaries sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Website (as of May 2024)
Average Yearly Salaries
Education for Instruction Start Your Journey as an Educator
If you are ready to work in real classrooms, learn from experienced teachers, and graduate prepared for teaching licensure, 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ offers a clear and experience-driven path forward through the Education for Instruction teaching degree.
Education for Instruction Undergraduate Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
Most programs delay classroom experience until your upperclassman years. At Jacksonville University, our education major gets you into real classrooms during your very first year. You will complete five distinct school placements before your final semester of student teaching, ensuring you graduate with practical, hands-on experience.
If you choose the Elementary Education Pathway, you will focus on K-6 teaching but all degrees are Education for Instruction. Along with your core coursework, you will study Literacy and ESOL, participate in five distinct placements, and complete a full semester of student teaching to graduate and be eligible to begin the certification or licensure process.
The Education for Instruction major is structured as a standard four-year undergraduate bachelor's degree program. This timeline includes your foundational liberal arts courses, core education classes, 455 hours of early field experience, and a final full-semester student-teaching capstone.
Absolutely. While this program focuses heavily on classroom instruction, the curriculum heavily emphasizes curriculum development, 21st-century educational pedagogy, and presentation design. This provides an excellent foundation if you choose to pursue a graduate-level instructional design degree or corporate training roles later on.
Yes. Becoming a school leader typically requires classroom teaching experience first. Our undergraduate program includes foundational leadership coursework, such as EDU 306 (Introduction to Leadership). This sets a strong baseline for your teaching career and future enrollment in an education administration degree program for principal or district leadership certification.
Prospective students must first apply and be admitted to 91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ. Once enrolled, faculty advisors will guide you through the specific steps required to maintain good standing in the School of Social Sciences and Education.
If you want to teach high school (grades 6-12), you will major in your specific academic discipline (such as Math, Biology, or History) and complete our Education Minor. This pathway still prepares you fully for teaching licensure in your chosen subject area.
While many graduates become K-12 teachers, this versatile major prepares you to be a change agent in your community. Career pathways also include:
- Community Education Specialists
- Learning & Development (L&D) Curriculum
- Nonprofit Management & Advocacy Roles
- Youth & Sports Program Administrator
We would love to connect with you! You can Request More Information online to speak with an admissions counselor, or contact JU Education Department directly at teach@ju.edu. You can also Schedule a Visit to see our beautiful campus and meet our faculty.
Education for Instruction Undergraduate Degree Request Information
Contact Information Department of Education
Founders Building
91Ïã½¶ÊÓÆµ
2800 University Blvd N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Email: teach@ju.edu
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