Pathway to Teaching, B.S.
[Pathway to Teaching-0801]
Students in the Pathway to Teaching Program develop the knowledge and skills to become effective teachers, ready to meet the Next Generation Learning Standards, through active engagement in small classes, classroom simulations, field experience, and student teaching.
Available Concentrations for Childhood Track:
- Historical and Social Sciences
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Language Arts
- Math, Science, & Technology - Math emphasis
- Math, Science, & Technology - Science emphasis
- Social Studies
Available Content Areas for Adolescence Track:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- English
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Studies
Admission Requirements:
To be considered for the Pathway to Teaching Program, prospective students must:
- Have completed at least 60 hours of college credit with a C or better, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0
- Have fewer than 30 hours of General Education and/or Content core coursework still to be completed
If you need additional credits to enter the program, consult the Academic Advisor to determine the coursework needed to best prepare you to meet NYSED certification requirements.
- Writing Sample - Please attach an essay of 250-300 words in which you describe the characteristics of an excellent teacher. Be sure to include a description of what an excellent teacher needs to know and be able to do.
- Resume - Please attach a one-page professional resume highlighting your professional experience. Please include teaching, coaching, or mentoring experiences.
- Transcripts - One official transcript from all colleges/universities attended. The department seeks a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5. A transcript review by an Admissions Counselor is required to determine if any additional courses are needed for enrollment based on NYSED certification guidelines.
- Recommendations - Two professional and/or academic recommendations are needed
SPECIFICS OF THE PATHWAY TO TEACHING, B.S. DEGREE
Minimum Total Hours: 124
Total Liberal Arts Hours: 62
Minimum Requirements: GPA of 3.0 in all TEDU courses; no grade less than B- in the major.
Credits in the Program: 48 for Childhood track; 60 for Adolescence track
- COMP 1050 (3) Academic Literacy Skills
- TEDU 1950 (3) Foundations of Educating All Students
- TEDU 1850 (3) Social Foundations of Education
- PSYC 2030 (3) Child & Adolescent Development
- TEDU 3330 or TEDU 3020 (3) Foundations of Lesson Planning (Elementary/Secondary)
- TEDU 3450 (3) Foundations of Lesson Planning II
- LITR 3150 (3) Adolescent Literature (adol. track) or
- MATH 1050 (3) Nature of Math (childhood)
- TEDU 2550 (3) Foundations of Multiple Literacies
- TEDU 3040 (3) Application of Literacy Strategies
- TEDU 3650 (3) Diagnostic & Prescriptive Teaching
- TEDU 3070 (3) Assessment of Student Learning
- TEDU 3050 (3) Current Trends in Education
- TEDU 3200 or TEDU 3850 (3) Specialized Teaching Methods (Elementary/Secondary)
- TEDU 3600 (3) Creating Inclusive Learning Communities
- TEDU 4010* or TEDU 4020* (4) Student Teaching (Childhood/Adolescence)
- TEDU 4410* or TEDU 4420* (2) Student Teaching Seminar (Childhood/Adolescence)
Students in the Adolescence Education programs must also take the following courses (these courses may also count toward fulfillment of General Education or content core coursework):
- HIST 3061 (3) History for Adolescence Teachers
- LITR 3610 (3) Literature for Adolescence Teachers
- MATH 2630 (3) Foundations of Math for Adolescence Teachers
- NSCI 3610 (3) Foundations of Science Adolescence Teachers
Field Experience Requirement | Students must complete 150 hours of fieldwork
Student Teaching Practicum | 14 Weeks
*Additional requirements must be met for these courses. Please see the Fieldwork Handbook for more information.
In order to obtain New York State certification, the following requirements must be met:
- EAS | Educating All Students Exam
- CST | Content Specialty Test in Appropriate Content Area
- CST | Students with Disabilities (if applicable)
- Teacher Performance Assessment
- SAVE | Mandatory Workshop
- Child Abuse | Mandatory Workshop
- DASA - Dignity for All Students | Mandatory Workshop
- Autism Training | Mandatory Workshop
- Fingerprinting clearance
Upon successful completion of all academic requirements (including the Roberts TPA) and completion of all required workshops, the student will be recommended to the state by RWU. A student who has not completed the required workshops will not be recommended to the state until successful completion of the required workshops. Six months after the student's conferral date, if a student has not completed all the successful workshops, the student must apply for certification himself or herself through individual evaluation. RWU will not recommend the student for certification.
Stop Out Policy:
The Pathway to Teaching Program is delivered in an accelerated format. In order to succeed in the program and be well prepared to student teach in the final term, progress from one module to another is important. As is stated in the Grading policy above, students must earn a minimum grade of B- in order to move onto the next module. If a grade of less than a B- is earned, the student must stop out of the program. A student who is stopped-out may rejoin a future cohort, but must retake the course in which a grade of less than a B- was received.
Once a Stop Out is directed due to a failing grade, the student must submit a written request to show intention of re-joining the program with the next cohort. The request must be sent to the Program Director and must explicitly state steps that will be taken to ensure success upon return (i.e., taking a writing course to improve writing skills, sorting out home-life issues, getting settled into a new job, etc.). Once the written request is received, the Program Director will first consult with the PTT Steering Committee and will then meet with the student to develop a plan for re-entry. The student must adhere to all stipulations of the plan and must earn a passing grade in the failed course on the second attempt in order to be able to continue on in the program.