Frequently Asked Questions for Education Students
Please click on your question below as some include a link to another website.
- I have a question about my Teacher Certification...
- I think I want to change my major to Education. What do I need to know?
- How do I change my major to Education?
- I already have a Bachelor's Degree (and/or a Master's Degree). How do I get certified to teach?
- I have a question about my Student Teaching or Field Experience placement...
- How do I get additional certificates once I am a certified teacher?
- Where should I look to find information about teaching in other states?
2. I think I want to change my major to Education. What do I need to know?
FACT 1:
The College of Education houses four different undergraduate programs:
Early Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 2)
Childhood Education (Grades 1 - 6)
Childhood Inclusive Education (Grades 1 - 6 and Students with Disabilities Grades 1 - 6)
Early Childhood/Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 2 and Grades 1 - 6)
All Adolescence Education (Grades 7 - 12) programs are housed within the specific academic department.
FACT 2:
The College of Education has two programs which lead to dual certification.
The Early Childhood/Childhood Education program leads toward certification in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood (Grade 1-Grade 6).
The Childhood Inclusive Education program leads toward certification in Childhood (Grades 1-6) and Students with Disabilities (Special Education; Grades 1-6).
FACT 3:
The College of Education offers concentrations in English, Mathematics, Music, Natural Science, Social Sciences and World Languages. All education majors are required to have a concentration.
FACT 4:
The College of Education offers a Middle School Extension (Grades 7 - 9) in English, French, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Spanish for Childhood Education and Childhood Inclusive Education majors.
FACT 5:
The process of becoming an Early Childhood, Childhood, Early Childhood/Childhood or Childhood Inclusive Education major does not happen instantaneously. There is a three-step process that you must pursue as a candidate for admission to The College of Education.
FACT 6:
Students are not permitted to change their major to Early Childhood, Childhood, Early Childhood/Childhood or Childhood Inclusive Education during the first semester of enrollment at Fredonia. A full semester of grades is required for consideration.
FACT 7:
Applicants are required to have an overall Fredonia grade point average of at least 3.0 if 24 or more credit hours have been earned. A Fredonia grade point average of at least 2.75 is required if 23 or fewer credit hours have been earned.
FACT 8:
Applicants who apply and meet the GPA requirements will be accepted into the College of Education may explore the education major of their choice through designated initial courses and field work. At the end of their first full year in education, 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. Please click here or further information.
FACT 9:
Depending on academic history, students that decide to change their major will need to reevaluate their graduation date.
3. How do I change my major to Education?
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants are required to have an overall Fredonia grade point average of at least 3.0 if 24 or more credit hours have been earned. A Fredonia grade point average of at least 2.75 is required if 23 or fewer credit hours have been earned.
STEP-BY-STEP:
1. INITIAL SCREENING INTERVIEW
If you meet the requirements to apply for a change of major in the College of Education at Fredonia, you must schedule an initial screening interview with the Coordinator of The Office of Student Services in the College of Education to discuss your interests in the field of Education and evaluate your qualifications.
Please contact:
Diane Sercu, Coordinator
Office of Student Services
College of Education
E262/264 Thompson Hall
T- 716-673-4768
E- diane.sercu@fredonia.edu (preferred method)
2. RECOMMENDATION
The information that is collected in the initial screening interview will be submitted in the form of a recommendation to the Chairperson of Curriculum & Instruction for evaluation and decision after review of the final grades from the current semester.
3. DECISION and NOTIFICATION
The decision to accept a candidate into the College of Education is based on several criteria, including academic record, interest in the field, and availability of the field placements. Candidates will be notified via postal mail of the status of their application after review of the final grades from the current semester. Please note that the process is not instantaneous.
Final determination for acceptance will not be effective until the following semester.
REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR INITIAL SCREENING INTERVIEW:
Please come to your initial screening interview prepared with:
- An unofficial copy of your academic transcript
- Change of Major Declaration form signed by your present department chair
- The determination of your major (Early Childhood, Childhood, Childhood Inclusive, Early Childhood/Childhood)
- Decision regarding concentration area
All screening interviews will be held in E262/264 Thompson Hall and will last approximately 30 minutes.
4. I already have a Degree...
I already have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in an area other than Education, how can I get certified to teach through Fredonia?
Interested candidates that wish to obtain Initial New York State Teacher Certification through Fredonia are required to pursue the appropriate Bachelor’s Degree that leads to Initial Teacher Certification, a MSEd in TESOL, or complete the MAT Science degree.
One track of the MSEd TESOL program leads to Initial Teacher Certification for any interested candidates.
I already have a degree from Fredonia, and I want to pursue another Bachelor’s Degree (that leads to Initial Teacher Certification in the State of New York). What do I do?
Fredonia graduates seeking an additional Bachelor’s Degree must take a minimum of 30 semester hours at the university and must successfully complete the requirements of their additional major or program. Contact the Office of Admissions (716-673-3251) for more information.
I already have a Bachelor’s Degree from another College/University, and I want to pursue another Bachelor’s Degree (that leads to Initial Teacher Certification in the State of New York). What do I do?
New students seeking an additional Bachelor’s Degree must take a minimum of 45 semester hours at Fredonia and must successfully complete their additional major or program. Contact the Office of Admissions (Maytum Hall, 6th floor, 716-673-3251) for more information.
What if I withdrew from Fredonia and I want to come back?
Please refer to Readmission and Reinstatement in the academic policy section of the College Catalog.
7. I plan to pursue an additional Teacher Certification through BOCES, and I need to take some Education classes. What is the process at Fredonia?
For more information about obtaining Teacher Certification through BOCES, please contact your local BOCES Regional Teacher Certification Officer.
For information on how to register for graduate level education courses, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies.
The Office of Extended Learning (2142 Fenton Hall, 716-673-3177) offers educational opportunities to working adults and non-traditional students who wish to pursue undergraduate courses on a part-time basis. Space in Education courses is reserved for full-time students who are enrolled in one of our Teacher Certification programs. Therefore, space is limited!