Thinking of becoming a Florida Master Naturalist?
The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education
program developed by
the University of Florida and provided by participating
organizations. FMNP training will benefit persons interested in
learning more about
Florida’s environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase
their knowledge
for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, and ecotourism
guides.
The FMNP consists of three Core Modules – Freshwater Wetlands,
Coastal Systems, and Upland Habitats.
Who should take the training?
- Adults (18 years of age or older) interested in learning more about
Florida’s unique natural and cultural history
- Volunteers and employees at parks, nature centers, museums, historical sites, and any
facility or organization
that provides environmental education programs
- Ecotour guides who wish to enhance current programs
- Teachers who wish to acquire educational contact hours for continuing education*
*CEU credit must be obtained and approved through individual
school districts
How much does it cost, how long does training last, and what is included?
- The cost is $225 per FMNP Module
- Each course provides 40 educational contact hours. Meeting times for courses vary and
may be viewed
here.
- Each Module includes classroom learning, field trips, and practical experience in
providing interpretive
information about Florida’s environment.
- Students receive detailed course manuals.
- Upon successful completion, students receive University of Florida certificates,
patches, and pins that denote
their accomplishment by area of expertise (e.g., Wetlands Naturalist) and are registered
in the University of Florida
database of Florida Master Naturalists.
- The FMNP does not provide university credit toward a degree-seeking program.
What are student responsibilities and how do I register?
- Students are expected to attend classes and complete group final projects. There are no
tests or final exams
required for completion of FMNP Modules.
- Registration is available through the FMNP
website.
Obtaining Teacher In-Service Credits
Teachers throughout Florida have
received in-service credits for continuing education requirements by
taking the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP). Typically, 40
credit hours have been awarded for each FMNP Module. Specific requirements
for teacher in-service credits
are decided by individual school districts, not the FMNP Program or the University of Florida/IFAS. Teachers must
contact their school board/district in-service staff development
coordinators
to receive credit for FMNP Modules.
Consider:
- There are three FMNP Core Modules (40 contact hours
each) for a total of 120 contact hours
- 120 hours are needed for teacher
re-certification (5 year requirement)
- FMNP course descriptions are available here.
- FMNP curriculum supplements Sunshine State Standards
- FMNP
workbooks and
purchased FMNP videos can be utilized in school science curriculum
- FMNP final projects can be incorporated as classroom projects and
educational programs
- Other specific FMNP
information (# of classes, graduates, history) can be
obtained from
info@masternaturalist.org
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