Undergraduate Catalog

School of Education

Phone:845-257-2800
Location: School of Education, Old Main Building, Room 114
Web address: www.newpaltz.edu/schoolofed


Caring, Critical, and Reflective Professionals Responsive to the Needs of a Diverse Society

The School of Education is committed to the preparation of caring, critical, and reflective professionals who are academically strong, pedagogically skilled, and responsive to the needs of our diverse society. We strive to prepare strong educators and school administrators who create communities in classrooms, schools and alternative educational settings where all students learn in meaningful ways. Our work is grounded in these values and commitments, which we strive to nurture in ourselves as in our students:

  • Inquiry
  • Intellectual growth
  • Professionalism
  • Appreciation of human diversity
  • Advocacy for students
  • Democratic citizenship

Programs leading to teacher certification: The Department of Teaching & Learning offers undergraduate teacher-preparation programs in Adolescence Education (certification to teach grades 7-12) and Early Childhood & Childhood Education (certification to teach birth through grade 6) as well as graduate programs in these and other certification areas. (Learn about our educator-preparation programs' accreditation here.)

Non-certification program: The Early Childhood Studies program prepares students to work with young children in alternative learning environments, such as daycare settings, after-school and tutoring programs, children's programs in museums and other such institutions, and parent/caregiver educational programs and workshops in schools and hospitals. The programs leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree without recommendation for the issuance of a New York State teacher certificate.

In addition, a new minor in Adolescence Education will be available in fall 2021. Though the minor does not lead to eligibility for a New York State teacher certificate, it may be of interest to students seeking an introduction to the field of secondary education. For more information about this new program, please contact a faculty advisor in the Department of Teaching & Learning.

The Department of Educational Studies & Leadership offers graduate degree and certificate programs and supports undergraduate educator-preparation programs through its Educational Foundations Unit. The department's undergraduate foundations courses address the political, social and historical issues of American education and satisfy key teacher-certification requirements. An undergraduate minor in Social Justice Educational Studies will be available to students in Fall 2021. To learn more, follow the link below.

School of Education Programs: