College of Education - Professional Education Unit Information

Important Notification to All Education Majors

All programs and degree options in the College of Education lead to New York State Certification and are subject to the guidelines and mandates established by New York State.

Additionally, all programs and degree options are held accountable to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards. As such, any changes made by the New York State Board of Regents or CAEP have the potential to impact the requirements of the program. Undergraduate programs are reviewed each semester to check compliance with state certification and national accreditation requirements.

Candidates should meet with their faculty advisors and attend all advisement sessions for up-to-date information on current programs and certification requirements.

New Teacher Education Admission Requirements as of Fall 2015

In response to a State University of New York Board of Trustees mandate, Fredonia has adopted new admission requirements for all new students beginning Fall 2015.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

For Freshmen interested in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood/Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Childhood Inclusive Education Programs:

Beginning Fall 2015, students entering as freshmen to Fredonia who are interested in becoming teachers may declare and explore the education major of their choice through designated initial courses. At the end of freshman year, students will need to apply to the College of Education and be formally admitted as a candidate of that program. The core program, including student teaching, will be restricted to teacher candidates only. Applicants for Teacher Candidacy must meet the following requirements:

Grades of "B" or better in EDU 105/106 and EDU 225
Reported scores on SAT/ACT
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better
Record of Positive Professional Dispositions

Applicants should visit http://www.fredonia.edu/coe for specific application procedures. Each program maintains requirements for continuing in the program including overall GPA, minimum course grade requirements, and maintaining appropriate professional dispositions.

For Freshmen interested in Adolescence Education and Music Education Programs:

Interested applicants should refer to the specific content departments or the School of Music sections of this catalog for admission requirements and application procedures of those programs.

For Transfer and Current Fredonia Students interested in any Education Programs:

Beginning Fall 2015, prospective transfer students or current Fredonia students in other majors outside of Education, wishing to enter a teacher certification program will need to apply and be formally admitted as a candidate of that program. The core program, including student teaching, will be restricted to teacher candidates only. Applicants for Teacher Candidacy must meet the following requirements:

Reported scores on SAT/ACT (prospective transfer students may choose to submit SAT, ACT, or GRE scores)
Overall GPA of 3.0 or better
Any additional program requirements

Applicants should visit http://www.fredonia.edu/coe for specific application procedures and requirements. Each program maintains requirements for continuing in the program including overall GPA, minimum course grade requirements, and maintaining appropriate professional dispositions.

Graduate Admission Requirements

For all Education Programs:

Beginning Fall 2015, new graduate students applying for acceptance into education programs must meet the following requirements:

An undergraduate minimum overall GPA of 3.0
Unless applying to a program leading to a recommendation for a first initial teaching certificate, applicants must provide proof of an initial certificate
Reported scores on the GRE
Any additional program requirements

Applicants should contact the Graduate Admissions Office for application procedures. Each program maintains requirements for continuing in the program including overall GPA and minimum course grade requirements and maintaining appropriate professional dispositions.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Fredonia is fully accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), which has merged with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) to become CAEP, a partnership of national and international professional organizations to advance excellent educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. CAEP standards expect the College of Education-Professional Education Unit to base its programs on content and teaching standards set by professional associations in each content area. CAEP accreditation adds both credibility and national transportability to Fredonia certification programs.

Program Philosophy and Conceptual Framework for All Certification Programs

The College of Education believes that all children can learn and that they learn best when taught by reflective and responsive educators who carefully assess their instructional competence via reflections upon pupil performance. Responsive educators make informed decisions based on these reflections and adjust instruction to enhance pupil progress. All candidates in the College of Education - Professional Education Unit complete a series of four field-based experiences in local schools. Each field-based experience is taught in conjunction with a required education course to clearly connect educational theory and practice. Each of the field experiences is highly structured, well supervised, and intended to provide multiple opportunities for candidates to Plan, Instruct, Reflect, and Respond with school children in classroom settings. Candidates also enroll in course work related to child and adolescent development, applications of psychology in the classroom, and pedagogical strategies as well as liberal arts and discipline-specific content courses. All of the courses work together to strengthen the candidates' Four Pillars of Understanding — Knowledge, Pedagogy, Diversity, and Professionalism — which in turn support the process of effective planning, instructing, reflecting, and responding. Course work and instruction are rooted in a strong foundation of research-based practices and strategies, contextual factors that influence instruction, and standards for teaching and learning.

Candidate Organizations for All Certification Programs

Within the College of Education, a dynamic and active Teacher Education Club offers activities that provide an array of opportunities for academic, personal, and professional growth, as well as community service. The College of Education also houses the Zeta Upsilon Chapter of the International Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi. This invitation-only, service-orientated organization provides multiple opportunities for professional growth. In addition, the College of Education sponsors a chapter of the Golden Key International Honour Society.

International Exchange Program

Upon completion of degree requirements, the College of Education provides opportunities for graduate degree candidates to study in the United Kingdom. Through cooperative efforts with the University of Plymouth in Plymouth, England, students are afforded the opportunity to engage in a five-week international teaching practicum. This five-week internship (May-June) includes classroom experience in the United Kingdom, organized cultural excursions, and free travel time for individual development. Candidates earn 3 hours of graduate credit that can be used to meet the Social Foundations requirement in the Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree program or as an elective in programs with elective options (with advisors approval). As a result of reciprocal agreements between The State University of New York at Fredonia and this British institution, students from England visit the Fredonia campus and area schools at selected times each year. Students can also apply to student teach in Australia through a partnership with University of Sunshine Coast.