School of Education

Program Advisors

All students who are interested in becoming teachers or learning more about the teaching profession should contact the MDC SOE Advisement Offices at soeadvisement@mdc.edu to learn more! In order to ensure that you are registering for the correct classes that you need to achieve your educational goal, it is important to get correct information. Advisors/case managers will provide career and education counseling to individuals interested in pursuing employment in the field of education and support to MDC SOE students in their ongoing quest for teaching excellence. Advisors/case managers will review your degree audit, grade point average (GPA), pathway progress, and provide program counseling. Bachelor of Science students are assigned an advisor/case manager who will support their studies from entry to graduation. Advisement services are provided in the areas of early childhood credentialing (FCCPC, NCDA), bachelor’s degree programs, teacher initial certification, certificate and credential renewals, alternative certification programs, and endorsement programs.

Advisors/case managers are specially trained to be knowledgeable about the MDC SOE programs as well as financial aid and scholarship information. Hours of advisement are Monday to Thursday from 9am to 6pm, and Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. No appointment is needed to meet with an advisor/case manager.

Clearance Cards

To ensure the safety and well-being of both students and staff, teacher candidates enrolled in MDC SOE courses and completing clinical experience hours in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) or Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers must undergo a mandatory Level 2 clearance through a fingerprinting background check.

All MDC students, regardless of their employment status, must obtain a clearance card to fulfill the clinical experience requirements for their program. Additional information may be found in the Fingerprinting & Security Clearance section of the Work-Based Learning Handbook.

Step-by-Step Process

To receive your Security Clearance Card, you must first complete fingerprinting with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Fingerprinting.

Important: MDC does not automatically receive your clearance information. You must submit a request after your appointment so we can verify your clearance.

Step 1: Schedule Your Fingerprinting Appointment

You must schedule your fingerprinting appointment with the M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting.

To schedule your appointment:

• Visit: hr.dadeschools.net
• Click Personnel Services
• Select Fingerprinting
• Click Overview
• Select Intern Scheduling System
• Choose and confirm your appointment date

Deadline: Complete this step by the end of the first week of the semester.

Step 2: Attend Your Fingerprinting Appointment

You must attend your scheduled appointment with the M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting.

Bring the following items:

• Valid ID (Driver’s License, Passport, or Florida ID)
• Social Security Card (U.S. students) or Passport (international students)
• $99 payment (Visa or MasterCard only)
• Service Provider Input Document

Step 3: Submit Your Security Clearance Card Request

After you have been fingerprinted, you must submit your request to the MDC School of Education.

Submit your Security Clearance Card Request

Important:

• Do not submit this form before completing your fingerprinting appointment
• Submitting the form does not mean your card will be issued immediately
• MDC must first verify your clearance status with M-DCPS

Step 4: Wait for Clearance Verification

The M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting may take 2–3 weeks or longer to provide your clearance status.

MDC cannot issue your Security Clearance Card until this verification is received.

Once your clearance is confirmed:

• Your card will be issued using the information from your request
• You will receive an email from clearancecard@mdc.edu when your card is ready

Need an Update?

If you have not received an update after 3 weeks, you may contact the M-DCPS Office of Fingerprinting:

Phone: 305-995-7472

Important Reminders

• You must be fingerprinted by M-DCPS before submitting your request
• MDC does not receive fingerprinting results automatically
• Processing times depend on M-DCPS verification

Clinical Teaching Lab

The Clinical Teaching Lab is an innovative space designed to support teacher candidates as they transition from theory to practice. Equipped with cutting-edge tools like the Revolution Lightboard for mini-teach lesson simulations, the lab provides an immersive environment for skill development and performance improvement.

Key Features:

• Mini-teach lesson simulations using the Revolution Lightboard
• Florida Teacher Certification Exam test preparation support
• Targeted performance improvement and skill development

The Clinical Teaching Lab is tailored to help students address areas for growth, ensuring a successful transition from pre-service to in-service educator. This initiative supports all bachelor’s degree and Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) students within the School of Education who demonstrate a need.

How It Works:
A Performance Improvement Plan/Support Dialogue Form can be initiated by faculty, staff, advisors, administration, or students themselves.

Contact Information:
For more information, connect with Dr. Corey A. Montgomery at cmontgom@mdc.edu.

Explore the resources of the Clinical Teaching Lab and take the next step toward a successful teaching career!

For FTCE-Florida Teacher Certification Examination information, please visit: https://www.mdc.edu/testing/tests/ftce/