In Florida, according to State Board of Education rules, five endorsement areas are required in exceptional student education (ESE): gifted, severe/profound disabilities, mobility skills for visually impaired, prekindergarten (PreK) disabilities, and autism. Subject area tests are not available for endorsements. An endorsement can be added to a current teaching certificate by taking approved coursework and applying to the Bureau of Educator Certification. The gifted endorsement and orientation and mobility endorsement are currently required for those teachers. Endorsement in the areas of severe/profound disabilities, PreK disabilities, and autism will be required by July 1, 2011. For specific details, click below on the links to the memos.

• Exceptional Student Education Certificate Endorsements - July 28, 2006
  Endorsements Memo 7-06.pdf

Select from one of the following disabilities to view a list of Florida’s public universities offering coursework that can be used towards earning an endorsement in that area.

• Autism
• PreK Disabilities
• Severe/Profound

Click the 'Overview Chart' button to view or print a chart showing Florida's public universities and community colleges offering ESE endorsements.

Florida Atlantic University offers a DOE approved endorsement program in the area of PreK disabilities. The University of Central Florida offers a DOE approved autism endorsement program.

The following links are to specific course numbers, course titles, and online offerings in the three endorsement areas required by July 1, 2011.

• Courses Leading Toward an Endorsement in Autism
• Courses Leading Toward an Endorsement in PreK Disabilities
• Courses Leading Toward an Endorsement in Severe/Profound Disabilities