Teaching Certification

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The program is not only for earning certification but to truly learn what it means to be a teacher.

Our Emphasis
The program encompasses liberal studies in education and studies and experiences designed to develop teaching effectiveness and professional leadership. The teaching certification program emphasizes developing students’ ability to relate knowledge and theory to skillful teaching in the interest of promoting greater social justice and environmental sustainability.

The Teacher Preparation Program (TPP)

Colgate students can obtain a New York State Department of Education teacher certification at the University. Undergraduates can complete the program in either eight or nine semesters. The ninth semester is the student teaching semester and is tuition-free. Colgate also offers graduate degrees with certification. 

Master of Arts in Teaching

To enter the teaching certification program as a Colgate undergraduate, students first consult with the Director of Teacher Preparation and acquire an application form. Once the application is successfully reviewed, the teacher candidate can start the steps necessary to obtain a New York State Department of Education teacher certification.

The program offers teaching certification programs in the following areas:

Childhood/elementary certification
Adolescence/Secondary Certification Program

Student Teaching

student teaching

Acceptance into the teaching certification program means candidates are tentatively approved for student teaching, but does not guarantee final acceptance. Acceptance is contingent on faculty agreement of competence, feedback from community partners during practicum and observation experiences, as well as GPA. The program makes every effort to place students in a location that will prepare them most closely with their future employment goals.

Student teachers in the Teacher Preparation Program's Trout In The Classroom program at a local aquaculture center.

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

AAQEP logo

The Masters of Arts in Teaching at Colgate University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The Teacher Preparation Program at Colgate University has received accreditation of its educator preparation programs under the AAQEP standards with a successful Quality Assurance Review in spring 2022.

Colgate's 2024 AAQEP Annual Report

Colgate's 2023 AAQEP Annual Report