The Florida State Board of Education Rules specify requirements in General, Professional, and Specialization Areas as follows:

1. General Preparation which parallels the core requirements at Florida Southern College. (See College Catalog).
2. Professional Preparation which includes the student teaching requirements, and specified courses of study in Foundations of Education, General Methods of Teaching, and Secondary Special Methods.
3. Specialization Preparation which includes the courses in the subjects or fields that are usually defined as majors and will meet the specific course requirements for certification in the selected majors.

All courses of study that meet these Professional and Specialization Preparation requirements are incorporated into each of the four-year schedules of approved certification areas. Some departmental majors meet the requirements of two certification areas. Students who wish to "add-on" areas of certification beyond their approved program should anticipate an additional semester of course work beyond the typical four year program, and consult with their academic advisors regarding the availability of required courses.