Program Description

If your goal is to become a certified teacher in Grades 1-6, you will be interested in the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) Associate of Arts degree program. This program prepares students for transfer to a four-year SUNY institution to pursue initial NYS certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1- 6). With careful advisement, students may complete the ten SUNY General Education requirements and 12 to 18 credits of a specialization required by four-year teaching degree institutions. Specializations include: English, Mathematics, History, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and General Science. Students should consult a Teacher Education advisor to select a specialization that will transfer to the four-year institution of the student’s choice.

This program also provides thirty clock hours of guided field observation, and six credit hours of Professional Preparation courses. A one-credit course focusing on school violence prevention and safety issues facing professionals working with children is also required. Students who successfully complete this one credit course earn NYS certificates of completion in Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect, and in School Violence Prevention and Intervention.

If your goal is to become a certified teacher in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2), please consult a Teacher Education advisor in the Human Services and Teacher Education department.