To improve science education statewide, UF partners with Valencia College on teacher prep
As the need for skilled science instructors grows throughout Florida, key educational institutions throughout the state are teaming up to meet the demand.
Faculty from Valencia College are now able to take graduate courses at the University of Florida through the online master’s degree in medical anatomy and physiology program, due to a collaboration between the State University System of Florida and the Florida College System. These teachers are expanding their knowledge in core science, specifically medical anatomy and physiology, in order to educate undergraduate pre-health students who aspire to become Florida’s future caregivers. There is no individual cost to those enrolled.
“This is a tremendous partnership opportunity between the University of Florida and Valencia College for us to share the expertise and resources that we have among each other, to support each other and to ensure that everyone who lives in Florida has access to high-quality education,” said Nico Rose, a UF assistant provost and senior director of operations, teaching and technology who helped facilitate the collaboration.
Just this spring, more than two dozen Valencia College faculty members have enrolled in the UF program’s inaugural cohort, hoping to bring the updated curriculum to their students within the year.