Department of Education

OLGA DEJESUS-DIAZ, Ed.D., Assistance Dean for Teacher Education

MISSION:

Preparing innovative, inclusive educators who promote success and the social good.

The teacher education programs are designed to develop professionals committed to help all students learn. The programs of study integrate a strong liberal arts foundation with research-validated pedagogical knowledge. As members of a community of learners, candidates are expected to master the personal and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to teach and assess students within the full range of individual abilities, to evaluate and improve teaching, to develop creative standards-based curricula, and to contribute as effective teachers and leaders in their schools and communities. The roles of research and technology and the importance of critical thinking, creative problem solving, and multicultural and global perspectives are emphasized.

General Description and Requirements

Marist College offers New York State approved and registered undergraduate programs leading to initial certification in the following fields and continues to update programs to maintain compliance with New York State teacher education requirements. Marist College is accredited and registered in New York State as an approved provider of teacher preparation programs.

Childhood Education, grades 1-6, with Special Education Certification (dual certification). The program of study leading to dual certification in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities (1-6) prepares graduates to teach in the general childhood education classrooms and in a variety of settings serving students with special educational needs. All dual certification candidates major in psychology. The psychology major provides a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and specifically emphasizes the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of children for successful learning in grades one through six.

Birth through Grade 2 (B-2): This is an elective program for Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities candidates. The B-2 program is three sequential courses that prepares candidates for eligibility for New York State B-2 certification as a teacher in pre-school, kindergarten, or the primary grades. The B-2 program also enhances the preparation of those seeking certification in Childhood Education/Students with Disabilities by focusing on early childhood education.

NOTE: The total number of credits may exceed the minimum of 120 undergraduate credits needed for graduation because it adds a complementary certification to the base program of Childhood/Students with Disabilities certification (both grades 1-6). The Birth through Grade 2 certification courses work well for the candidate who has room in their schedule that may be available through credits brought into Marist. The Birth through Grade 2 certification is for general education only and is not certification for Students with Disabilities, B-2.

Certain candidates may also choose to seek acceptance into the Dual Degree BS/MSEd Program, resulting in dual certification in Childhood Education, grades 1-6, with Special Education Certification and the MSEd in Contemporary Curriculum and Instruction. Contact the Director of Graduate Education Programs for information.

Adolescence Education (grades 7-12): This is a dual degree program combining the Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts in Teaching. This program leads to dual New York State Initial Teaching Certification in an Adolescence Education content field (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Mathematics, Social Studies/History, or Spanish) along with Students with Disabilities, both grades 7-12. Candidates achieve their Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in their content field. In addition, candidates complete required undergraduate education courses and 12 credits of graduate level education courses as part of the undergraduate program.

The remaining 24 credits of the Master’s program are taken in the following sequence: 6 credits of graduate work through a hybrid delivery system in the summer following undergraduate graduation, 12 credits in an on-ground setting for the fall semester, and 6 credits of full-time student teaching the following spring. Candidates must achieve a 3.0 GPA in each of their education courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Candidates are accepted into the dual degree program upon being admitted to Marist. There is a formal review of their standing for the MAT Program in spring of their junior year.

The MAT (Masters of Arts in Teaching) is a 36-credit program.

To meet the requirements for initial certification in New York State, all teaching candidates must pass New York State qualifying assessments, and successfully complete required workshops, (Dignity for All Students Act, Violence Prevention, Child Abuse, Autism).