Academic Program

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-2025.

Faculty

Professor Palmer
Associate Professors Bonet, Ríos-Rojas, Sanya, Stern, Taylor, Woolley (Chair)
Visiting Assistant Professor Bell, Olbrantz
Senior Lecturer and Director of Teacher Preparation Program Gardner

The Department of Educational Studies offers two distinct undergraduate programs: (1) a major or minor in educational studies and (2) a preparation program for students intending to teach at either the elementary or secondary level. The department also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for students preparing to teach at both the elementary and secondary level. The teacher preparation program at both the undergraduate and graduate level lead to a New York State initial teaching certificate.

Given these programs, the department offers a comprehensive study of formal and informal educational institutions and practices, and the ways they are affected by social forces. Interdisciplinary by design, classes draw on diverse methods of inquiry to critically analyze the historical and contemporary ways that people educate and are educated in the United States and societies across the globe. Theory, research, and practice work together to help students become more reflective and engaged as cultural workers, citizens, and critical thinkers. Students learn to ask questions about the relationships between knowledge, power, and identity in educational contexts, and to reimagine education and its contribution to a democratic society.

Study Groups

The South Korea Study Group is a joint program between Educational Studies and Asian Studies. The program offers a dynamic experience for any Colgate University student due in part to its efforts to become a leader in the newly forming globalized world in which we live. South Korea is highly regarded for its rapid modernization, yet the people still hold to its traditional ways in mind and spirit. While the focus is on students' development of educational studies theory and practice from a global perspective, they also gain a fascinating sociocultural experience.

Students enroll in four courses. The Director provides two courses for the students, one of which provides an opportunity to design a research project with a fieldwork component. Students then take two courses from the host university, Yonsei University. Yonsei offers a variety of courses in English. One course must be on the topic of Korea or East Asia. Prerequisites normally include  and at least one course in Asian Studies.

The Philadelphia Study Group offers students who are interested in a wide range of questions in and around education, urban studies, public policy, and social justice a full semester of coursework and experience in one of the most historically iconic and dynamic cities in the world. Lauded as "the birthplace of American democracy," Philadelphia offers students a place to explore some of the most pressing questions around contemporary education policy and its relationship to material questions about the changing spatial and demographic topographies of American cities. In close conversations with students, teachers, families, and community members, this program provides an experimental platform to gain a more critical understanding about the issues surrounding contemporary education and urban policy and the community-based struggles that have emerged in response.

Awards

The Award for Excellence in Childhood Education — awarded by the department for excellence in elementary student teaching.

The Award for Excellence in Adolescence Education — awarded by the department for excellence in secondary student teaching.

The Charles H. Thurber Award — named after the first professor of pedagogy at Colgate (1893) and awarded by the department to an outstanding senior major.

Honors and High Honors

Students may opt to write a Senior Thesis in Educational Studies in the Senior Thesis Seminar . Students are required to defend their thesis. The defense will normally take place during the last week of classes in the spring semester. This involves a formal presentation of the thesis. The entire Department of Educational Studies faculty will attend the defense and provide input to the Thesis Seminar professor and the faculty adviser.  

The designation of 'honors," "high honors," or neither will be determined by the Thesis Seminar professor, the faculty adviser, and any assigned reader. Students with an overall GPA of 3.30 and a departmental GPA of 3.50 will be considered for graduation with honors in Educational Studies.

An award of "high honors" is only awarded to work that shows exceptional scholarly insight and innovation. An honors project must bring something new into the world—it must teach us something or consider a particular question in a new light. In order to do this well, students will need to clearly articulate what the field of Educational Studies is and how their project is situated within our modes of inquiry/knowledge production.

The Teacher Preparation Program (TPP)

Director Gardner

The preparation of teachers is an all-university responsibility, generally directed by the Department of Educational Studies. The program encompasses liberal studies in education as well as studies and experiences designed to develop teaching effectiveness and professional leadership. The emphasis is on developing the student's ability to relate knowledge and theory to skillful teaching in the interest of promoting greater social justice and environmental sustainability. Colgate's undergraduate adolescence and childhood certification programs and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) childhood and adolescence programs are currently accredited through the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Colgate University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) with a successful Quality Assurance Review in Spring 2022.

There are three TPP options for Colgate Undergraduate students to complete their degree and certification required courses:

  1. Complete all degree coursework plus certification coursework requirements as an undergraduate student, eight semesters. Student teaching is usually done the fall semester of junior year. 
  2. Ninth semester option: To be eligible for this special program, students must have received their Colgate Bachelors degree in the academic year prior to the professional semester and completed all other certification prerequisites prior to enrolling in the ninth semester. In the ninth semester, students are allowed to enroll only in the professional semester courses, which consist of two or three seminars (depending upon adolescence or childhood certification) and student teaching. Students admitted into the ninth semester program will be charged a small administrative fee (currently waived), must meet the usual requirements for enrollment at Colgate (such as proof of health insurance), and are responsible for locating their own off-campus housing. Students interested in the ninth semester program should meet with an educational studies faculty member to determine if they are eligible and apply to the program in the spring of their senior year.
  3. MAT option: If accepted into the program, students will complete all certification coursework required at the graduate level including Student Teaching. Students must apply to the MAT Program even if they are already in the Teacher Preparation Program. The Director of the Teacher Preparation Program will create a Program of Study to make sure all Content and Pedagogical Core courses for certification are completed.

For students who've been accepted into the MAT Program who received their Bachelors Degree at another institution, the Director of the Teacher Preparation Program will create a Program of Study to make sure all Content and Pedagogical Core courses for certification are completed as a Colgate graduate student. Students must successfully complete their undergraduate degree prior to the start of their graduate level programming. 

Student Teaching: Student teaching is always during the fall semester. Final approval depends on successful completion of all prerequisite courses in their program by the end of the spring term, prior to student teaching. A decision is made by the department to approve a candidate for student teaching based on previous academic performance at Colgate as well as the apparent suitability of the candidate for the teaching profession.

Successful completion of all requirements in all certification programs leads to recommendation for New York State initial teacher certification.See below for certification pathways and requirements.

Application Instructions for Undergraduate level TPP

  • Students should apply by November 1st of their sophomore year or sooner in order to plan coursework. Students interested in pursuing teacher certification in New York State are strongly encouraged to have taken EDUC 101 and any other Educational Studies courses that count toward certification prior to the end of their sophomore year.
  • For content and pedagogical core courses required by the New York State Department of Education undergraduate students must receive a grade of C or above and graduate students must receive a grade of B- or above in order to meet expectations. Students must achieve at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, or its equivalent, in the program leading to the baccalaureate or graduate degree in order to be eligible for program completion and certification.
  • Application Materials: 
    • Application form
    • Transcript
    • Personal statement that includes a discussion of your past experience and your reasons for pursuing a teacher certification at Colgate
    • A sample of written academic work. Ideally, EDUC 101 autobiography assignment (graded preferred)
    • A letter of recommendation written by an individual who, ideally, has observed the student in some teaching/learning capacity in a school setting.
  • Application materials are to be submitted to the Educational Studies Division Coordinator, Erin Conway.

Application Instructions for MAT level TPP

  • Apply by: 
    • February 1st (for fall semester start date). Colgate students graduating in May will need to turn in all materials by February 1st  their senior year. 
    • October 1st (for spring semester date). Colgate students graduating in December of their senior year (in coordination with the Registrar's Office), will need to turn in all application materials by October 1st of their junior year. 
  • Application Materials: application form, resume, personal statement, sample of written academic work, $50 application fee (waived for Colgate graduates), transcripts, two letters of recommendation from professors with whom you have studied and one letter of recommendation from a professional who has observed you working with children or adolescents in a learning environment.
  • Application materials are to be submitted to the Educational Studies Division Coordinator, Erin Conway.

Childhood Education Teacher Certification Coursework Requirements

The elementary certification program is currently offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The program leads to New York State teacher certification in grades 1–6. It combines a program of study with both liberal arts and educational coursework. Students are required to obtain 24 liberal arts credits out of a total of 32 in order to be eligible for state certification as an undergraduate.

Educational Studies Courses:

  • EDUC 101 - The American School (for Foundations of Education requirement)
  • EDUC 202 - The Teaching of Reading (for Literacy Skills requirements)
  • EDUC 204 - Child and Adolescent Development (for Development and Learning requirements)
  • EDUC 207 - Inclusive and Anti-Ableist Education (for Teaching Students with Disabilities & Special Health-Care Needs)
  • One of the following courses (for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment requirement):
    • EDUC 231 - Inquiry Based Teaching in the Schools
    • EDUC 214 - Theories of Teaching and Learning
    • EDUC 321 - Psychological Perspectives in Education
  • One of the following lab courses (for the fieldwork requirement):
    • EDUC 214 Lab-TPP Observation Hours
    • EDUC 231 Lab-TPP Observation Hours 
  • EDUC 451 - Seminar on Curriculum and Instruction in English/Social Studies (for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment requirement)
  • EDUC 453 - Seminar on Curriculum and Instruction in Science/Mathematics (for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment requirement)
  • EDUC 454 - Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Problems
  • EDUC 455 - Student Teaching (for 70 day student teaching requirement)
  • EDUC 456 - Dignity in Schools (0.25 credits), (for DASA requirement) 
  • One EDUC elective (for Social and Cultural Diversity in Schooling, Teaching, and Learning requirement)

Other NY State certification requirements required before taking EDUC 456 - Dignity in Schools:

  • Fieldwork — 100 hours
  • Child abuse workshop (two hours of training in the identification of suspected child abuse/maltreatment)
  • Violence intervention and prevention workshop
  • Fingerprinting

Certification Content Coursework- Childhood Education (grades 1-6):

  • Two of any of the course subjects below (for Concepts in Historical and Social Sciences requirement):
    • History (HIST)
    • Geography (GEOG)
    • Anthropology (ANTH)
    • Economics (ECON)
    • Sociology (SOCI)
    • Political science (POSC)
  • Two of any of the course subjects below (for Scientific Processes requirement):
    • Biology (BIOL). This includes courses in cell biology and biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, genetics and evolution, biological diversity, human biology, zoology, and environmental biology.
    • Chemistry (CHEM). This includes courses in matter and atomic structure, energy, chemical bonds and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and quantitative relationships.
    • Earth and Environmental Geosciences (GEOL). This includes courses in space systems, atmospheric systems, geological systems, and water systems.
    • Physics (PHYS). This includes courses in mechanics and heat, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound and light, and quantum theory and the atom.
  • Two MATH classes such as courses in mathematical reasoning,quantitative methods, number theory and concepts, algebra, analytic geometry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, data analysis, probability, and discrete mathematics. (for Mathematical Processes requirement). The following Colgate courses also meet this requirement: COSC 100 Computers in the Arts and Sciences, MATH 105 or CORE S143 - Introduction to Statistics, PSYC 309 - Quantitative Methods in Behavioral Research.

MAT Graduate Students are also required to take the following:

EDUC 593 - Special Project and Thesis

Secondary Education Teacher Certification Coursework Requirements

The secondary education certification program is offered at the undergraduate and MAT levels. In both the MAT and undergraduate programs, certification is available in English, history, mathematics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics. The program combines a major in one of these chosen academic fields with courses in educational theory and practice. Students who complete the program will have a strong background in teacher education and a New York State approved major from a department on campus.

Educational Studies Courses for Certification

  • EDUC 101 - The American School (for Foundations of Education requirement)
  • EDUC 202 - The Teaching of Reading (for Literacy Skills requirements)
  • EDUC 204 - Child and Adolescent Development (for Development and Learning requirements)
  • EDUC 207 - Inclusive and Anti-Ableist Education (for Teaching Students with Disabilities & Special Health-Care Needs)
  • One of the following courses (for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment requirement):
    • EDUC 231 - Inquiry Based Teaching in the Schools
    • EDUC 214 - Theories of Teaching and Learning
    • EDUC 321 - Psychological Perspectives in Education
  • One of the following lab courses (for the fieldwork requirement):
    • EDUC 214 Lab- TPP Observation Hours
    • EDUC 231 Lab-TPP Observation Hours 
  • One of the following courses based on certification field:
    • EDUC 451 - Seminar on Curriculum and Instruction in English/Social Studies (for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment requirement)
    • EDUC 453 - Seminar on Curriculum and Instruction in Science/Mathematics (for Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment requirement)
  • EDUC 454 - Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Problems
  • EDUC 455 - Student Teaching (for 70 day student teaching requirement)
  • EDUC 456 - Dignity in Schools (0.25 credits), (for DASA requirement) 
  • One EDUC elective (for Social and Cultural Diversity in Schooling, Teaching, and Learning requirement)

Other NY State certification requirements required before taking EDUC 456- Dignity in Schools:

  • Fieldwork — 100 hours
  • Child abuse workshop (two hours of training in the identification of suspected child abuse/maltreatment)
  • Violence intervention and prevention workshop
  • Fingerprinting

MAT Graduate Students are also required to take the following:

  • EDUC 593 - Special Project and Thesis

Certification Content Coursework- Secondary Pathway (grades 7-12):

  • English: major in English with coursework in composition, English literature, poetry, playwriting, grammar, and English linguistics. 2 classes of study in related areas such as speech, drama, theater, and journalism. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information.
  • Social Studies: major in History with coursework in areas such as: economics, government, United States history, world history, geography, sociology, anthropology, and political science. 1 class in economics and 1 class in geography are required. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information.
  • Mathematics: major in math with coursework in areas such as: mathematical reasoning, quantitative methods, number theory and concepts, algebra, analytic geometry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, data analysis, probability, and discrete mathematics. A maximum 2 classes of S.H. of statistics coursework (offered by a Mathematics or Statistics department) can be accepted. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information.
  • Chemistry: major in Chemistry with coursework in areas such as: scientific methods, matter and atomic structure, energy, chemical bonds and molecular structure, chemical reactions and quantitative relationships. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information.
  • Biology: major in Biology with coursework in areas such as: scientific methods, cell biology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, comparative anatomy, genetics and evolution, biological diversity, human biology, and ecology. Introductory chemistry sequence is also required. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information.
  • Earth Science: major in Earth and Environmental Geosciences  with coursework in scientific methods, space systems, atmospheric systems, geological systems, and water systems. 2 classes in astronomy are required. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information. 
  • Physics: major in Physics with coursework in scientific methods, mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, waves, sound, light, and quantum theory and the atom. See the Teacher Preparation Director for more information.

 

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Other

Courses