Grades 7 - 9 Extension to Childhood Education

Education, Programs in

(Preparation for early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, adolescence, teaching English to speakers of other languages, business and marketing education and dual certification in childhood and students with disabilities or adolescence and students with disabilities generalist)

Utica University offers programs in teacher education that lead to certification in several different teaching areas. In order to be certified to teach in New York State, prospective teachers are required to complete a bachelor’s degree, including the education program requirements, to pass the mandatory New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, and to meet all other regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education.

Students interested in a teaching career should plan to consult with an education advisor soon after matriculation to discuss career possibilities, procedures for admission to the education programs and the requirements for completion, and for information about the certification areas available. Some education courses require written permission of the chair for registration.

Courses in the education programs include observation and work in the public schools as well as regular course work. 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.

There are specific admission and retention criteria and policies, including a minimum 2.75 GPA requirement, for the education programs. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in all courses required for certification. There are also additional requirements associated with student teaching.

Utica University also offers master’s programs in education. For more information, consult the Utica University graduate studies catalog.

Learning Objectives

• Our degree candidates have a strong knowledge of subject matter.
• Our degree candidates demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge to design effective lessons.
• Our degree candidates acquire teaching skills that promote student learning.
• Our degree candidates teach caringly and effectively and are professionals.

Grades 7 - 9 Extension to Childhood Education

Students seeking an extension to authorize the teaching of a subject in grades 7 through 9 for certificates in childhood education (Grade 1 - 6) must complete the appropriate major and must take the following courses in conjunction with the childhood education program.

• Students seeking social studies certification must take both ECN 141 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3)  and POL 101 - Introduction to Politics and American Government (3)  or the equivalent, and a minimum of 21 credit hours in history.