Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education 1-6, With Special Education Certification

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Those interested in this program register with the Education Department in the first semester of their first year to ensure timely completion of requirements necessary for admission to upper-level courses. Minimum requirements for the program are:

1. A grade-point average of 2.7 or higher
2. Grades of C+ or higher in required courses in the certification sequence

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The following sections list the courses needed to satisfy: 1) the psychology major; 2) the course requirements in the certification sequence for Childhood Education, grades 1-6 with Special Education Certification; and 3) Core/Liberal Studies requirements. Upon completion of these courses and the certification requirements described previously, the candidate earns a BS degree in Psychology and is eligible for dual certification. Candidates who fail to maintain a 2.7 or higher GPA, or do not demonstrate the disposition necessary to assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher, are subject to dismissal from the program after review by the Education Department.

A candidate must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 and earn grades of C+ or higher in the certification sequence. If at any time the candidate’s GPA falls below 2.7, the candidate will be notified that they are subject to academic review. Academic review will result in assignment of probationary status or dismissal.

A candidate on probation is expected to take immediate steps to raise their GPA. This can be done by (1) earning enough grades of B+ or A, or (2) retaking the course(s) in which a grade of C+ or below was earned and achieving a B or better in this course. NOTE: while a grade of B in any subsequent course may raise a GPA that is below 2.7, it may not by itself be sufficient to raise the GPA to 2.7 or above. Candidates may re-take only one course in the pedagogical core. Also, candidates may retake a course only one time.

A candidate is allowed up to 12 credit hours of work to raise his or her GPA above 2.7 after being placed on probation. If after attempting 12 credit hours the GPA has not been raised to 2.7, the candidate will be dismissed from the program. Candidates are expected to demonstrate appropriate professional dispositions in coursework and fieldwork throughout their program as follows

1. Responsibility
2. Integrity
3. Enthusiasm
4. Communication
5. Reflection

Any behaviors that are in obvious deviation from the teacher candidate dispositions stated above may result in assignment of probationary status or dismissal. Any candidate who does not demonstrate the dispositions necessary to assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher will be subject to review by teacher education faculty and may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. The candidate will be informed of any decision or recommendation by the teacher education faculty.

Certification Disclosure

Candidates who satisfactorily complete the Bachelor’s degree in the major and all education program requirements, including the achievement of qualifying scores on the New York State assessments, and completion of required workshops (Dignity for All Students Act, Violence Prevention, Child Abuse, Autism), will be recommended for New York State Initial Certification in Childhood Education, grades 1-6, with Special Education Certification.

Marist’s teacher education programs are designed to prepare candidates for certification in New York State and are aligned with the certification requirements in the state of New York. Marist College cannot guarantee that these programs will meet the requirements for initial or professional certification in any other state. It is the candidate’s responsibility to research and determine the certification requirements in any other state in which they plan to apply for initial or professional teaching certification. It is also the candidate’s responsibility to determine if the Marist College teacher education programs meet the requirements for certification in states other than New York.

Accreditation

The Education Department at Marist College is accredited and registered in New York State as an approved provider of teacher preparation programs. Marist College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).