Certification

The following information is also available in the Vassar College Catalogue.

New York State Teacher Certification

Childhood Education Certification: A program leading to the New York State Initial Childhood Education Certificate (1-6) is offered. New York State certifies students for the initial certificate upon recommendation of the teacher certification officer. Such recommendation depends on academic excellence, specified competencies in professional course work, field experiences, and demonstrated fitness for teaching. In addition, students must pass qualifying examinations set by New York State. The program of study must include the following requirements: Psychology 105, 231; Education 235, 250, 290, 350/351, 360, 361, 362.

Recommended Sequence of Courses for Childhood Education Certification:

Freshman year:

Psychology 105
Education 235
Education 290 (Field Work)

Sophomore year:

Psychology 231
Education 350/351

Junior year:

Education 250
Education 361

Senior year:

Education 300
Education 360
Education 362 (Student Teaching)

NRO work may not be used to satisfy state certification requirements.

The student teaching internship is a five-day/week full time classroom experience in selected local schools during the a-semester.

Adolescent Education Certification: Programs leading to the New York State Initial Adolescent Education Certificate (7-12) are offered in the fields of English, foreign languages (Spanish, French, German, Russian), mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and social studies. Students with a major in the areas of anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, urban studies, American culture, and sociology are eligible for social studies certification. New York State certifies students upon the recommendation of the teacher certification officer. Such recommendation depends on academic excellence, specified competencies in professional course work, field experiences, and demonstrated fitness for teaching. In addition, students must pass qualifying examinations set by New York State. The program of study must include the following: Psychology 105; Education 235, 250, 263, 290, 301, 373, 379, 392, plus one additional course in adolescent literacy determined in consultation with the department.

In addition to fulfilling requirements for their major, students may need to complete additional coursework in the subject area in which they plan to teach. These requirements vary slightly for each field; therefore it is important that students planning such a program consult with the appropriate member of the department as soon as the area of concentration has been declared.

Recommended Sequence of Courses for Adolescent Education Certification: