School of Education | University at Albany

Office of the Dean

Virginia Goatley, Dean
Cheryl Dozier, Associate Dean
Alison Olin, Assistant Dean for Personnel and Planning
Christy Smith, Assistant Dean of Academic Programs, Partnerships and Accreditation, Executive Director of Student Success
518-442-4988

Drawing on its rich tradition of excellence, the School of Education’s mission is to enhance learning and human development, in and out of classrooms, and across the life span. The School seeks to advance knowledge about the full spectrum of challenges in learning, development, behavior, and adaptation.

The School of Education brings multidisciplinary expertise to bear on policy and practice about the changing needs of students, professionals, and educational systems, locally, nationally, and across the globe. We view questions of theory, research, practice, and policy as complementary and interrelated, and from this perspective, seek to:

Discover innovative research-based knowledge and solutions for the problems facing individuals, families, professionals, and educational systems;
Prepare outstanding professionals for classrooms, schools, communities, higher education, and policy forums;
Produce rigorous scholars to carry out the next generation of discovery and innovation; and
Provide visionary leadership for educational policy and change, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The School is organized into four departments: Educational and Counseling Psychology; Educational Policy and Leadership; Educational Theory and Practice; and Literacy Teaching and Learning.

Fall 2024, the School of Education launches three new undergraduate programs: B.S. in Early Childhood/Childhood Education; B.S. in Childhood and Special Education; B.S. in Adolescent Education. The School also offers over 40 different master's, certificate, and doctoral degree programs as well as an undergraduate B.S. in Human Development, a minor in Educational Studies, a minor in Leadership, and a minor in Pre-Education. Requirements for the Human Development major are outlined under the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology. Requirements for the minors are outlined in the Minors section of this bulletin.

All courses in the School of Education are preceded by the prefix letter E.

Pathways Into Education Center (PIE)

Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduates and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education as well as graduate students enrolled in degree programs that lead to teacher certification.

The PIE Center:

Coordinates undergraduate students’ access to programs and opportunities in education, such as the Educational Studies minor, E PSY 390 Community Service, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Future Educator’s Club.
Serves as the University’s central source for information about careers in education.
Directs students toward the educational careers best suiting their interests and talents.

Contact the PIE Center at:
518-442-3529
[email protected]

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Early Childhood/Childhood Education

The Early Childhood/Childhood Education program leads to New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). The program includes liberal arts and pedagogical coursework to prepare students for teaching young children through elementary students. It requires intensive practicum and student teaching experience.

Admission

Declaration of the major in Early Childhood/Childhood Education must be made by application to the School of Education.

I. Criteria for Students Admitted as Freshmen to Albany:

The student must have completed at least 24 credits (sophomore status)
The student’s cumulative grade point average for all coursework at the University at Albany must be 3.00 or higher at the time of evaluation
Written essay responses

If qualified applications exceed the number of available spaces, the following criteria will be used sequentially to select students to the program:

Overall GPA
Essay score

II. Criteria for Transfer Students:

Transfer students are expected to meet the admission criteria specified in section I and are expected to apply for admission to the program when applying for admission to the university. Please reach out to the Pathways Into Education Center at [email protected] for information on application deadlines.
Transfer students who plan to major in Early Childhood/Childhood Education but have not completed the admission criteria specified in section I, may declare their intention to major in Early Childhood/Childhood Education but will not be formally admitted to the major when they enter the University. Students must fulfill the criteria specified in section I.

Appeals: Students who do not meet the admission criteria due to extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal. Contact the School of Education Dean’s Office for more information about the process.

General Program B.S.:

A minimum of 93 credits, including 30 credits in the concentration.

Core courses:

63 credits

Foundations of Education (3 credits): E EPL 300
Teaching as a Profession (3 credits): E TAP 201
Educational Psychology, Development and Assessment (15 credits): E PSY 200, E PSY 400, E PSY 421, E PSY 440, E CPY 360
Special Education (6 credits): E SPE 350, E SPE 460
Literacy (9 credits): E LTL 300, E LTL 301, E LTL 400
Methods (9 credits): E LTL 351, E TAP 312, E TAP 314
Fieldwork and Student Teaching (18 credits): E EDU 479, E EDU 480

Concentration:

30 credits as approved by advisor in the following areas (a minimum of 15 credits must be taken at the upper division level):

6 credits Math (A MAT XXX or other as approved by advisor)
6 credits English (A ENG XXX or other as approved by advisor)
6 credits Science (A BIO XXX, A CHM XXX, A PHY XXX, A ATM XXX or other as approved by advisor)
6 credits Social Studies (A HIS XXX, A GOG XXX or other as approved by advisor)
3 credits Fine Arts (A ARH XXX or other as approved by advisor)
3 credits Liberal Arts and Sciences electives

Students must maintain a 2.85 cumulative GPA to remain in the major.

Students in this major must also complete 15 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences as part of the elective or General Education sequence.

Additional Program/NYSED Requirements:

School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) Training
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Training (NEW)
DASA Training

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students with concerns about this matter should contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

As an approved teacher preparation program with the New York State Education Department, there may be additional certification requirements applicable. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, additional workshops. Certification procedures and requirements are outlined on the School of Education’s Teacher Certification website. This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State.

Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.

The B.S. in Early Childhood/Childhood Education program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the B.S. in Early Childhood/Childhood Education program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.

It is important to note that the University at Albany is not the licensure/certification authority in other U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in other U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Childhood and Special Education

The Childhood and Special Education program leads to New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Childhood Education (Grade 1-6) and Students with Disabilities (All Grades). This program includes liberal arts and pedagogical coursework to prepare students for teaching in general elementary classrooms and for students with disabilities at all grade levels. It requires intensive practicum and student teaching experiences.

Admission

Declaration of the major in Childhood and Special Education must be made by application to the School of Education.

I. Criteria for Students Admitted as Freshmen to Albany:

The student must have completed at least 24 credits (sophomore status)
The student’s cumulative grade point average for all coursework at the University at Albany must be 3.00 or higher at the time of evaluation
Written essay responses

If qualified applications exceed the number of available spaces, the following criteria will be used sequentially to select students to the program:

Overall GPA
Essay score

II. Criteria for Transfer Students:

Transfer students are expected to meet the admission criteria specified in section I, and are expected to apply for admission to the program when applying for admission to the university. Please reach out to the Pathways Into Education Center at [email protected] for information on application deadlines.
Transfer students who plan to major in Childhood and Special Education but have not completed the admission criteria specified in section I, may declare their intention to major in Childhood and Special Education but will not be formally admitted to the major when they enter the University. Students must fulfill the criteria specified in section I.

General Program B.S.:

A minimum of 99 credits, including 30 credits in the concentration.

Core courses:

69 credits

Foundations of Education (3 credits): E EPL 300
Teaching as a Profession (3 credits): E TAP 201
Educational Psychology, Development and Assessment (15 credits): E PSY 200, E PSY 400, E PSY 420, E PSY 440, E CPY 360
Special Education (12 credits): E SPE 350, E SPE 369, E SPE 460, E SPE 463
Literacy (9 credits): E LTL 300, E LTL 301, E LTL 400
Methods (9 credits): E SPE 351, E SPE 352, E TAP 314
Fieldwork and Student Teaching (18 credits): E SPE 479, E SPE 480

Concentration:

30 credits as approved by advisor in the following areas (a minimum of 15 credits must be taken at the upper division level):

6 credits Math (A MAT XXX or other as approved by advisor)
6 credits English (A ENG XXX or other as approved by advisor)
6 credits Science (A BIO XXX, A CHM XXX, A PHY XXX, A ATM XXX or other as approved by advisor)
6 credits Social Studies (A HIS XXX, A GOG XXX or other as approved by advisor)
3 credits Fine Arts (A ARH XXX or other as approved by advisor)
3 credits Liberal Arts and Sciences electives

Students must maintain a 2.85 cumulative GPA to remain in the major.

Students in this major must also complete 15 credits of Liberal Arts and Sciences as part of the elective or General Education sequence.

Additional Program/NYSED Requirements:

School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) Training
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Training (NEW)
Needs of Children with Autism Training
DASA Training

Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure

The B.S. in Childhood and Special Education program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the B.S. in Childhood and Special Education program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.

Degree Requirements for the B.S. in Adolescent Education

The Adolescent Education program leads to New York State Initial Teacher Certification. It offers a strong research-based preparation for prospective classroom teachers at Grades 7-12 in English, Spanish, Social Studies, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science), and Mathematics.

Admission

Declaration of the major in Adolescent Education must be made by application to the School of Education.

I. Criteria for Students Admitted as Freshmen to Albany:

The student must have completed at least 24 credits (sophomore status)
The student’s cumulative grade point average for all coursework at the University at Albany must be 3.00 or higher at the time of evaluation.
Written essay responses

If qualified applications exceed the number of available spaces, the following criteria will be used sequentially to select students to the program:

Overall GPA
Essay score

II. Criteria for Transfer Students:

Transfer students are expected to meet the admission criteria specified in section I, and are expected to apply for admission to the program when applying for admission to the university. Please reach out to the Pathways Into Education Center at [email protected] for information on application deadlines.
Transfer students who plan to major in Adolescent Education but have not completed the admission criteria specified in section I, may declare their intention to major in Adolescent Education but will not be formally admitted to the major when they enter the University. Students must fulfill the criteria specified in section I.

General Program B.S.:

A minimum of 84 credits, including 30 credits in the concentration.

Core courses:

54 credits

Foundations of Education (3 credits): E EPL 300
Teaching as a Profession (3 credits): E TAP 201
Educational Psychology, Development and Assessment (15 credits): E PSY 200, E PSY 400, E PSY 422, E PSY 440, E CPY 360
Special Education (6 credits): E SPE 350, E SPE 460
Literacy (6 credits): E TAP 430, E LTL 400
Methods (3 credits): E TAP 452 (in appropriate content area)
Fieldwork and Student Teaching (18 credits): E TAP 479, E TAP 480

Concentrations:

Minimum of 30 credits in one content area (minimum 15 credits upper division)

Biology
- Chemistry Support Sequence
  - A CHM 115 (or A CHM 120/124)
  - A CHM 116 (or A CHM 121/125)
- Biology Sequence
  - A BIO 130
  - A BIO 131
  - A BIO 117
  - A BIO 201
  - A BIO 202
  - A BIO 212Y
  - A BIO 301
  - A BIO 330
  - 3 courses from: A BIO 303, A BIO 314, A BIO 318, A BIO 329, A BIO 343, A BIO 365, A BIO 375, A BIO 401, A BIO 402, A BIO 410, A BIO 454
Chemistry
- Support Sequence
  - A MAT 111 or 112 or 118
  - A MAT 113 or 119
  - A PHY 140/145
  - A PHY 150/155
- Chemistry Sequence
  - A CHM 115 or 120/124
  - A CHM 116 or 121/125
  - A CHM 220/222
  - A CHM 221/223
  - A CHM 326/327
  - A CHM 424
  - A CHM 429
  - A CHM 431
  - 6 credits from: A CHM 342, A CHM 408, A CHM 417, A CHM 444, A CHM 445, A CHM 447 or other as approved by advisor
Earth Science
- Support Sequence
  - A CHM 115 (or A CHM 120/124)
  - A PHY 140 or T PHY 141 or A PHY 105
    A MAT 100 or A MAT 111 or 112 or 118
- Earth Science Sequence
  - A ENV 105
  - A PHY 103
  - A ENV 221
  - A ATM 210
  - A ENV 302
  - A ATM 335
  - A ENV/A ATM 327
  - A ENV 404
  - A ENV 450 or A ATM 306
  - A ENV 490
English
- A ENG 200 level or above
- A ENG 205Z
- 6 credits from: A ENG 291, A ENG 292, A ENG 295, A ENG 297
- A ENG 300 level or above
- A ENG 300 level or above
- A ENG 305V
- A ENG 310
- A ENG 400 level
- A ENG 400 level
Math
- A MAT 100
- A MAT 112
- A MAT 113
- A MAT 220
- A MAT 300
- A MAT 308
- A MAT 312
- A MAT 326
- A MAT 331
- A MAT 400 level

* A MAT 108 (recommended if no prior stats course)

Physics
- Math Support Sequence
  - A MAT 112
  - A MAT 113
  - A MAT 214
  - A PHY 235
- Physics Sequence
  - A PHY 140
  - A PHY 145
  - A PHY 150
  - A PHY 155
  - A PHY 240
  - A PHY 245
  - A PHY 250
  - A PHY 410
  - A PHY 440
  - A PHY 450
  - A PHY 460
  - A PHY 470
Social Studies: Social studies shall include study in economics, government, and at least a total of 21 semester hours of study in the history and geography of the United States and the world.
- A HIS 100 or 101
- A HIS 130, or 131, or 144, or 158, or 177, or A HST 110
- A GOG 102
- A ECO 110
- R POS 101
- A GOG 356
- 300 level or above history or geography of the United States or the world as approved by advisor
- 300 level or above history or geography of the United States or the world as approved by advisor
- 300 level or above history or geography of the United States or the world as approved by advisor
- 300 level or above as approved by advisor in History, Geography, Civics, Citizenship, Government or Economics
Spanish
- Heritage Track
  - A SPN 105
  - A SPN 205
  - A SPN 209
  - A SPN 303
  - A SPN 310
  - A SPN 300 level or above*
  - A SPN 300 level or above*
  - A SPN 400 level
  - A SPN 400 level
  - A SPN 400 level

* Excludes A SPN 333

Non-Heritage Track
- A SPN 200
- A SPN 201
- A SPN 206
- A SPN 208
- A SPN 303
- A SPN 310
- A SPN 300 level or above*
- A SPN 300 level or above*
- A SPN 400 level
- A SPN 400 level

* Excludes A SPN 333

Students must maintain a 2.85 GPA to remain in the major.

Additional Program/NYSED Requirements:

School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) Training
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Training (NEW)
DASA Training

Federal Licensure/Certification Disclosure

The B.S. in Adolescent Education program at the University at Albany is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State. Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that the B.S. in Adolescent Education program at the University at Albany meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the additional following U.S. States: none.