Director: M. Gardner
Department Site
IJʿ’s Department of Educational Studies offers teacher certification programs for those planning to teach in grades 1 through 12. There are certification programs at both the undergraduate (for both elementary and secondary) and at the graduate level (for both elementary and secondary certification). Students wishing to teach at the elementary level (grades 1–6) earn a teaching certificate in Childhood Education. Students seeking elementary certification can major in any subject. If students would like to major in Educational Studies they must obtain a total of 24 classes (96 credits on a semester-hour system) that are considered Liberal Arts and Sciences. At the secondary level (grades 7–12, what New York State terms Adolescence Education), IJʿ offers certification in the following areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, English language arts, mathematics, physics, and social studies. Students seeking secondary certification should choose a major closely associated with the secondary subject they wish to teach.
Teacher preparation students are strongly encouraged to apply for a minor in educational studies due to the extensive coursework involved through the department. Teacher candidates will student teach in “the professional semester,” that is offered only one semester during the academic year. Student teaching is an intensive full-time commitment that typically requires curtailing most extracurricular activities.
Students who wish to gain New York State teacher certification have the option of completing their professional semester as part of the ninth semester program. More information can be found on the department page of the .
Students pursuing teaching certification typically take EDUC 101 as their first education course. Those interested in teacher certification should meet with the Director of Teacher Preparation as early as possible to develop a program of study that fulfills certification requirements.
For more information regarding teacher certification, please contact:
Dr. Meg Gardner
(315) 228-6385
mgardner@colgate.edu