The major in Adolescence Education is approved by the New York State Education Department
(NYSED) and prepares teacher candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to teach in public and private schools in grades 7-12 in the specified NYSED certification area: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, and Spanish.
Teacher candidates in this major are required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of observation and work in public school classrooms as well as regular course work prior to student teaching. The practical application of the theory and principles of teaching and learning culminates in an assignment to area schools for student teaching in the senior year. It is necessary for students to make plans to set aside one of the semesters of the senior year to devote entirely to student teaching.
Students completing the adolescence education major with concentrations in biology, chemistry, English, geoscience, history, physics, mathematics, or Spanish must complete at least 60 credit hours in the liberal arts. Education courses are not liberal arts courses. Students should consult as early as possible with their advisor to be sure that they fulfill this requirement.
The Adolescent Education major includes specific admission and retention criteria and policies, including maintaining a minimum 2.75 GPA throughout the entire major. Students must also achieve a grade of C or better in all courses required for teacher certification. Retention criteria and policies can be found in the student handbook.
Total credits required for the Adolescence Education Bachelor of Science degree: 120. This includes electives where needed to meet the 120-credit minimum requirement.
Learning Objectives
Students who complete the Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12 (B.S.) will:
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of the subject matter they will teach
- Demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge
to design effective lessons
- Demonstrate teaching skills that promote student learning
- Teach caringly, effectively, and professionally
- Know how to learn
- Seek to understand multicultural perspectives
- Use technology effectively
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