Education, Certification Program
Faculty: Elizabeth Bloom (Chair); Ross Bussell; Mark Davies; Marisa Kofke; Erin Toal. Adjunct Faculty: Caroline Cooper, Cathy Hardison, Debora Henry; Eamonn Hinchey, Deb Kiser; Carol Pierce; Julie Schelp
Coordinator of Student Teaching and Field Experience:
Jennifer Brislin
Tracks
Childhood (grades 1-6)
Adolescent Education (grades 7-12)
Students with Disabilities (Generalist 7-12)
Music Education (K-12)
Art Education (K-12)
Dual Certification in Special Education and Childhood.
Minor
Educational Studies (does not lead to NYS Certification)
Minor Tracks
Educational Studies: General
Educational Studies: Social Advocacy
Educational Studies: Outdoor Education
About
The Hartwick College Teacher Education Program prepares future teachers for certification in Childhood (1st-6th grade), Dual Childhood/Special Education (1st-6th), Adolescent Education (7th-12th grade) certification in nine content areas, Students with Disabilities Generalist (7th-12th), Music Education (K-12th), and Visual Arts (K-12th). The program is selective, as it aspires to train future leaders in education. Hartwick’s education program is based on four axioms: 1) Effective pre-service teachers show competence in their academic major by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or better, 2) Hartwick’s Liberal Arts in Practice curriculum firmly grounds students in the liberal arts, 3) Effective teacher training operates from research-based principles of teaching-learning, and 4) Effective teachers integrate those principles into meaningful experiences in classrooms.
Hands-on teaching experiences are a central part of Hartwick’s education program. There are many effective ways of learning and the Department of Education offers a variety of options to education students including: study abroad, alternative/multicultural/special education mini-practica, field experience, and directed studies with professors. We encourage students to design, develop, and implement an educational program that is consistent with their interests and long-term professional goals.
Our Mission: A commitment to social change.
The Hartwick College Teacher Education Program prepares teacher candidates to begin their careers with a foundation in research-based learning theory and instructional practices, a commitment to meeting and honoring the educational needs of diverse learners and a dedication to environmental and social justice in schools and society.
Our department takes for granted that education is the primary means to life success. Therefore, schools must mitigate against the conditions that threaten equal opportunity and academic achievement for all children regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, religion, income, gender identity or sexual orientation. If schools are to adequately fulfill this responsibility, then teacher training programs play an important role in exposing prospective teachers to the sociocultural issues relevant to the task.
Beyond developing a commitment to social justice, students are expected to maintain academic excellence, display a passion for teaching and possess high professional dispositions.
The Education Department aspires to prepare educators who:
Demonstrate competency in their chosen content/major area.
Possess knowledge about the social, political, cultural, psychological, philosophical and moral dimensions of teaching.
Demonstrate the dispositions of a professional educator which provide the foundation for competent teaching.
Are equipped with an initial repertoire of skills for applying research-based teaching and learning strategies, including the ability to integrate new and emerging technologies.
Are prepared to begin teaching in varied settings, and provide diverse learners with opportunities to reach their full potential.
Areas of Certification
At Hartwick, students do not major in education but complete a program for certification coupled with a content major or major/minor combination. Hartwick offers education programs leading to certification in *Childhood (grades 1-6), Adolescent Education (grades 7-12), **Students with Disabilities (Generalist 7-12), Music Education (K-12), and Art Education (K-12) and dual certification in *Special Education and Childhood.
*Special Note 1: All students pursuing Childhood or Dual Childhood/Special Education certification must take 2 math courses, 2 English courses, 2 science courses, and 2 History and/or Political Science courses.
**Special Note 2: All students pursuing Students with Disabilities (Generalist 7-12) certification must take 2 Math courses, 2 English courses, 2 science courses, and 2 History and/or Political Science courses.
Approved Childhood Content Area Majors:
Art
Biology
Anthropology
Chemistry
English
Computer Science
History
Geology
Languages
Math
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Theatre
Psychology
Economics
Sociology
Approved Adolescent Content Areas:
Biology
Chemistry
Earth Science (with Geology/Environmental Science)
English
French
Math
Physics
Social Studies (majors approved in Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology)
Spanish
Approved Dual Certification:
Childhood Certification/Students with Disabilities (1-6)
Special Note: Students seeking dual certification cannot pursue any other certifications.
Approved K-12 Programs:
Art
Music
Special Note: Students seeking Art or Music certifications cannot pursue Students with Disabilities Certification.
Admission into the Teacher Education Program
Admission into the Teacher Education program requires a formal application at the completion of the core education courses (EDUC 101, EDUC 102, EDUC 201), which will be reviewed by the Department Faculty. Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the field of education, meet academic standards and possess professional dispositions.
Specific academic criteria that are used for initial admission into the program include:
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75;
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in core education courses;
- No grade less than a C in education courses (courses can only be taken twice and extenuating circumstances must be petitioned to the department);
- No grade less than C in any major, minor, or college Gen. Ed. curriculum courses;
- A review of student’s Application for Admission into HCTEP by Department of Education. Students who meet most of the criteria but fall below in some areas may be placed on academic probation by the Department of Education and will have one semester to show growth toward the minimum requirements.
Requirements for Mini-Practicum Teaching
Students seeking to enroll in the J Term mini-practicum (EDUC 390/EDUC 391) must be accepted into the Hartwick College Teacher Education Program and be in good academic standing.
Students wishing to undertake a mini-practicum in locations other than those selected by the Department of Education must submit a written proposal for review by the department faculty. All proposals must be submitted electronically to the Chair of the Department of Education.
Student teaching requirements include:
- Completion of 100 hours of departmentally approved field experience or equivalent school internship.
- Departmentally approved Junior Review Portfolio.
- Completion of foundational and pedagogical courses (no grade below a C).
- No grade less than a C in any education, major or college Gen. Ed. course (NYSED rules);
- A 3.0 GPA in content major, education courses, and overall.
- A 3.0 GPA in core foundation courses (EDUC 101, EDUC 102, EDUC 201, EDUC 202) and education program.
- A written endorsement from department chair of major.
Policy regarding extra-curricular activities during student teaching
The Hartwick Student teaching model is based on NYSED requirements and includes two full seven week placements. Students are expected to attend every day of the placements, including professional development days and any mandatory after-school responsibilities (e.g., Parent-Teacher Conferences, Curriculum Night, Open House, etc.) without exception. In the event of serious illness or emergency, student teachers must contact their cooperating teacher, college supervisor, and seminar instructor. Failure to comply with this requirement will impact the student teacher’s final evaluation.
Student teachers must dedicate themselves full time to Student Teaching. Therefore, student teachers may not engage in any extracurricular activities including, but not limited to, additional college classes, team sports, theater productions or outside employment. Exceptions will be granted only after the student has submitted a written petition to the Department of Education. A decision will be rendered based on the student’s academic record and dispositional preparedness.
The Department of Education reserves the right to pull and or fail a student who is not meeting the requirements of the student teaching placement.
Recommendation for Certification to NYSED
Upon successful fulfillment of the curricular and field experience requirements of the Teacher Education Program and passing scores on the teacher certification examinations required by New York State, students qualify to be recommended for Childhood (1-6), Dual Childhood/Students with Disabilities (1-6), Adolescent (7-12), Students with Disabilities Generalist (7-12), Art (K-12) and Music (K-12) Initial Certification.
Reciprocity exists with many states. Students should check with specific state education departments with regard to certification requirements.
Requirements for Recommendation
To qualify for the recommendation for certification by the Hartwick College Department of Education, students must satisfactorily complete the following:
- Course requirements in approved academic major with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- No grade in any course lower than a C (in college Gen. Ed., major or Education courses)
- College General Education curriculum requirements
- Additional extra-departmental course requirements (vary by major and level)
- Education coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above and no single grade below a C
- Child Abuse Identification Seminar (provided in EDUC 372 Lyceum)
- Dignity for All Students certificate (provided in EDUC 372 Lyceum)
- Substance Abuse Seminar (provided in EDUC 372 Lyceum)
- Violence Prevention Seminar (provided in EDUC 372 Lyceum)
- Passing NYSED battery of tests (see www.NYSED.gov for dates and details)
- Educating All Students Test (EAS)
- Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST)
- Content Specialty Test (CST) (Childhood and Students with Disabilities Generalist takes Multi-subject test)
- edTPA
New York State Regulation
Teacher certification programs at Hartwick College are subject to the rules and regulations of the State Legislature, Commissioner of Education, Board of Regents, and State Education Department of New York State. Institutional recommendation for certification is not guaranteed upon completion of the above courses without demonstrating competent teaching and professionalism in the field.
Teacher education general information sessions are held regularly throughout the year. To attend one, or to receive more detailed information on your options for an education program, contact the Department Chair: Betsy Bloom 308 Clark Hall, 607-431-4945, bloome@hartwick.edu or Coordinator of Student Teaching and Field Experience, Jennifer Brislin: 314 Clark Hall, 607-431-4841, brislinj@hartwick.edu.