Overview

Program Overview

The Childhood Education major prepares teacher candidates to be highly capable and ethically responsible teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to teach and reach all students effectively in childhood education (grades 1–6). The program standards draw directly from the SoE/PEU’s conceptual framework, New York State Teaching and Learning Standards, and the Association for Childhood Education International Standards. We embrace the fundamental belief that all students can and will learn and that learning is significantly enhanced when teachers understand and apply education theory and research to inform practice; multifaceted approaches to address the diverse learning needs of each student; and best educational practices to improve teaching and learning.

The Childhood Education major program qualifies a candidate for certification in grades 1–6 with a B.S. in Childhood Education. Teacher candidates who major in Childhood Education must also complete a second major—either in Special Education* or in a liberal arts field. The second major may require candidates to complete more than the minimum 120 credits required for degree completion. Candidates are encouraged to see their advisors to determine the specific number of credits required for each major. The 49-credit Childhood major is structured within a block schedule. Courses in one block must be completed successfully before continuing to the next block level.

*Curriculum and program requirements for the Childhood Education major are currently under revision to reflect the Department's inclusive education philosophy and goals. Childhood Education majors are encouraged to select a dual major in Childhood with Special Education. A dual major prepares teacher candidates to effectively design instruction that meets the needs of all learners in classroom and special education settings in grades 1–6. Candidates with a dual major in Childhood/Special Education should see their advisors regularly to assure efficient course sequencing.

Program Requirements

Childhood Major Requirements

Note: Candidates must earn a grade of “C” or higher in each of the following courses required for certification in order to move to the next block. Courses in which the candidate has earned a grade lower than a “C” must be repeated.

*Any courses within a block that are marked with an asterisk must be taken concurrently.

If also majoring in Special Education, see Special Education Major, Grades 1–6 Requirements, and note section entitled Block IV Childhood/Special Education Student Teaching Experience.

For students majoring in Childhood Education, all of the above credit bearing courses are used in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Qualification for New York State Initial Certification in Childhood Grades 1–6

Candidates in Childhood Education (grades 1–6) must successfully complete the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree which includes study in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, the General Education Core, and the Content requirements that provide coursework in all the New York Learning Standards.
• Education Core: 49 credits in teacher preparation courses.
• At least 100 hours of field experiences prior to student teaching.
• Student Teaching Experience (14 weeks).
• New York State Teacher Certification Examinations: Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST), Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (ATS-W), and the multi-subject Content Specialty Test (CST).
• Fingerprint clearance.
• Child Abuse and School Violence Intervention and Prevention Workshops.

Liberal Arts Content Requirements For New York State: Childhood Certification

Candidates should check with their Education advisors in choosing appropriate courses. Many of the courses for this Content Core may also fulfill requirements of the College Core. Students should consult Core Requirements for a full description of the College’s Core.

All courses taken to meet the requirements of the Content Core, whether completed at SJFC or accepted in transfer, must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.”