Educator Preparation Program
What We Do
Utica University offers programs in teacher education that lead to certification in several different teaching areas.
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.
Undergraduate Educator Preparation Graduate Education Program
**Per New York State legislation, the graduate education department no longer requires the MAT or GRE exam for admissions.
Students interested in a teaching career should plan to consult with an education adviser 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 undergraduate students in the education programs. There are also additional requirements associated with student teaching.
Special Opportunities
The Utica University Educator Preparation program has partnership agreements with the Oriskany Central School District, New York Mills Free Union Schools and other local districts that provides on-site college courses for students as well as fieldwork opportunities.
The Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program is a collaborative project, launched in 1993, between Utica College and the Utica City School District designed to meet the challenges of motivating middle- and high-school students to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents diploma, and pursue post-secondary education. This program provides the opportunity for education students to work with students, faculty, staff, and youth advocates at Donovan and Kennedy Middle Schools and Proctor High School.
Career Opportunities
Students who successfully complete a bachelor's degree and the education program at Utica, and who take the requisite New York state examinations, are eligible for initial teacher certification in New York at the PreK-6 or 7-12 level. By interstate agreement, they also are eligible for provisional certification in most other states. Since requirements differ from state to state, however, students are advised to obtain information from the state in which they wish to teach.
Graduates of Utica's education programs teach in area schools and all over the United States. Many of those who remain in the area maintain close contact with Utica and serve as school-based teacher educators who host current Utica students for fieldwork and student teaching experiences.
How to Qualify
To qualify for student teaching, you need to:
- Receive a grade no lower than a C in any course in the Education Program;
- Maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.75 (undergraduates); maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (graduate candidates)
- Complete all requirements of their major (undergraduates)
- Complete all Core courses required by NYSED (if not previously met)
- Receive the positive endorsement of the faculty in the academic major
- Receive the positive endorsement of the faculty in education
- Have fingerprint record in the NYSED TEACH system per program and NYS process
Students are required to pass all NYSED Teacher Certification Exams prior to receiving initial certification. Go to NYSTCE for current information about NYS certification tests. Should you need assistance in preparing for these exams, help with test taking skills is available in our Center for Student Success. You can also enroll in on-line preparation for the New York State Teacher Certification exams at www.certed.com
The Education Program sends requests for cooperating teachers to all area school districts. Student teaching placements will be assigned by the Education Program, and every effort will be made to work with the individual needs of students within the parameters of the program.
Application
Apply online for student teaching. Please note that if you are not currently in the education program but intend on student teaching after being added back in, you will need to stop by Library Concourse room 128 to apply. Click on the link above to apply.
Utica University’s Educator Preparation Program has earned national accreditation from The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) for all undergraduate and graduate programs. This honor comes with a full seven-year accreditation following extensive review by the AAQEP Commission.
Resources for Supervisors are available to Utica University faculty and staff via the link below (login required):
Contact Us
Laurence Zoeckler, Ph.D.
Laurence Zoeckler, Ph.D.
Chair of Educator Preparation
(315) 792-5280
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