2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog, Volume 82
Education Department
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Meet the Education Faculty and Staff
Education Webpage
The Education Department provides a selection of courses enabling students across the College to examine and develop informed opinions on questions pertaining to the role of education in a democracy; questions of opportunity, equity and access; and issues of justice, the common good and human rights. These courses blend rigorous intellectual work in social science with focused field experiences/internships, and encourage students to apply new insights and understandings across a multitude of contexts.
The Education Department offers three pathways for students who are interested in pursuing careers related to education:
- The Education Dual Major is designed for students who are interested in becoming certified to teach English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, Spanish, Social Studies, or Computer Sciences in public schools.
- The Education Certificate program is designed for students interested in becoming certified to teach Business and Marketing Education in public schools. Returning students who have already completed a Bachelor’s Degree may also enter the Education Certificate program in order to complete requirements to teach in the certification areas offered by Siena.
- The Education Studies minor is designed for students who are interested in teaching in other content areas or grade levels, as well as for students who may be interested in careers associated with education.
The Education Dual Major is Siena College’s nationally accredited Teacher Preparation Program; it prepares students for careers in teaching and helps them acquire the professional knowledge and competencies characteristic of effective teaching in a multicultural society. These skills include critical thinking and expression, curriculum design, instruction and assessment, as well as empathy and concern for all individuals.
There are nine Education Dual Major tracks that prepare students for New York State Initial Teacher Certification in the subject areas:
● Adolescence Education: Biology (B.S.)
● Adolescence Education: Chemistry (B.S.)
● Adolescence Education: English (B.A.)
● Adolescence Education: French (B.A.)
● Adolescence Education: Mathematics (B.A. and B.S.)
● Adolescence Education: Physics (B.S.)
● Adolescence Education: Social Studies (B.A.)
● Adolescence Education: Spanish (B.A.)
● All Grades Education: Computer Science (B.S.)
In order to be eligible for an Education Dual Major track, students must complete the requirements for one of the following corresponding content area majors: American Studies (for social studies), Biology, Chemistry, English, French, History (for social studies), Mathematics, Physics, Spanish, or Computer Science. Students who complete a dual major will graduate with a bachelor’s degree and two majors, one in their content area and one in a related Education certification area.
It is the responsibility of the student to understand and fulfill the various requirements of Siena College, the Siena Education Department, and the state to which they plan to apply for teacher certification. Applicants must maintain an Education GPA of at least 3.0 and meet the academic and overall GPA requirements established by their academic departments as outlined in the course catalog. Only courses with a grade of C- or above are acceptable toward meeting content core and pedagogical core requirements for the Dual Major (Teacher Preparation Program).
As part of their course work, students will complete a minimum of one hundred and fifteen hours of field experience prior to the student teaching experience. For students in the certification sequence, these experiences are in varied secondary school settings. Students are responsible for their own transportation.
Students must apply for acceptance into the Professional Sequence of the Education Dual Major (Teacher Preparation Program). Application is typically made early in the Spring semester (prior to February 1) of the student’s junior year. Successful applicants will then complete the “Professional Sequence” in their senior year. The Professional Sequence consists of two methods courses (EDUC 381 and EDUC 481 ) and a minimum of 40 hours of related field experience in the Fall, and full-time student teaching and two related seminars (EDUC 461 and EDUC 462 ) in the Spring. The fall field experience will either be in middle school or high school placement(s); the same school classroom(s) will be the site for student teaching in the Spring.
The following requirements must be met before acceptance into the Professional Sequence of the Dual Major (Teacher Preparation Program):
- Successful completion of EDUC 210 , EDUC 260 , EDUC 261 , and EDUC 365 ;
- Submission of an acceptable portfolio, including application, transcript, resume and cover letter, application essays, and evidence of demonstrated success in field placements,
- Evaluation and recommendation by The Education Department (minimum Education GPA of 3.0);
- Evaluation and recommendation by the candidate’s academic major department (Note: each major sets specific coursework and GPA requirements for students pursuing teacher certification; for these specific requirements, please check the catalog entry for that major; students interested in social studies certification should see either the History Department or American Studies Department pages);
- Review and approval by the Education Professions Committee (EPC).
Students who withdraw from the Dual Major or who postpone their professional semester without informing the Education Department in writing will be required to reapply.
Students who complete the Dual Major requirements and receive a score acceptable to the Commissioner of Education on the two required New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (EAS and CST) will be eligible to apply for the New York State Initial Certificate in their field.
Verified certification exam data for Siena College program completers for the 2021-2023 graduating cohorts are as follows:
- Education All Students exam (EAS) - pass rate = 96%
- Content Specialty Tests (CST) - pass rate = 94%
Students who successfully complete EDUC 360 - Early Adolescence and Middle School and EDUC 385 - Teaching and Learning in the Middle School, and who have completed an approved program for an initial certificate in adolescence education grades 7-12, are eligible for an extension of their teaching certificate into grades 5-6. Science students also may be eligible for a General Science Extension to enable them to teach at the middle school level.
Although they will be advised through the appropriate department concerning requirements in their major, students interested in the Education Dual Major should consult with the Education Department faculty early concerning program and certification policies. Students who are not following the certification program, but who are interested in using education for related career opportunities, may seek advising from the Education Department staff as well. We certainly encourage these students to explore the Educational Studies Minor.
While students who are interested in becoming certified to teach Business and Marketing in New York State are not currently eligible for the Dual Major, they may complete the Teacher Preparation Program through earning the Education Certificate. These students would follow the same course schedule, application process, and requirements as noted above under the Dual Major section.
Additionally, students who have already completed a Bachelor’s Degree and who are interested in later completing the Teacher Preparation Program may apply into the Education Certificate Program for this purpose. The following requirements must be met by returning students who are applying into the Education Certificate Program:
- Initial interview with the Director of Field Experiences & Certification Officer;
- Application, cover letter, resume, and transcripts
- Endorsement by the Education Department and academic department;
- Three letters of recommendation from former professors and/or employers;
The Educational Studies Minor offers students an opportunity to examine and develop informed opinions on questions pertaining to the role of education in a democracy; questions of opportunity, equity and access; and issues of justice, the common good and human rights. While the Educational Studies Minor does not lead to certification through Siena College, the Minor is beneficial for students who: 1) wish to pursue certification at the graduate level in elementary education, special education, school guidance & counseling, school social work, school psychology, or school district business leadership; 2) anticipate having professional responsibility in settings such as corporate training and staff development; 3) anticipate working with children and adolescents outside of school settings; 4) have an interest in a career in the political realm serving as a legislative aide or representing and/or lobbying for educational organizations such as a state school boards association or a teachers’ union; 5) intend to teach at the secondary level but whose course requirements leave little room in their undergraduate program for our certification program; and/or 6) intend to teach in higher education. NOTE: If you are interested in a graduate program, make sure to research the specific requirements of that program.
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