Overview
Our program in childhood education is guided by the principle
that excellent elementary school teachers have a strong background
of research-based principles.
Teaching candidates successfully attain these knowledge bases
through a carefully planned sequence of courses taught by veteran
teacher-researchers, and with course-embedded faculty supervised
fieldwork.
During most of the elementary methods courses (long before
student teaching), teacher candidates participate in faculty
supervised fieldwork in area schools with students in real
classroom situations. Course-embedded fieldwork gives teacher
candidates the chance to learn from each other, to gain ideas for
teaching, to reflect with peers on what works and what does not
work well, and finally to support and become part of a community of
learners who care about teaching as a profession.
The Mount's education program is accredited by the National
Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. NCATE
accreditation is a mark of distinction, and provides recognition
that the college has met national professional standards for the
preparation of teachers.
Childhood Education at the
Mount
Childhood Education, Grades 1-6
Childhood Education, Grades 1-6 and Special Education, Grades
1-6
Childhood Education, Grades 1-6 and Middle School Extension
Related programs
Childhood Education teacher candidates may major in biology, chemistry, English, general
science, Hispanic Studies, history, information
technology or mathematics.
Program requirements
All candidates must receive a C+ or better in all certification
courses and may repeat a certification course only once. Candidates
must maintain a 2.75 minimum GPA in order to student teach.
Where Mount students have interned
Teacher candidates have student taught in more than 50 school
districts within a 25-mile distance from the college. Additionally,
some candidates have student-taught in the New York City public
schools.
Career Outlook
According to the New York State Education Department, the areas
of need in teaching are in special education, mathematics,
sciences, languages other than English, and technology. Teacher
candidates with only a childhood education certification will
likely find it difficult to find a first job in a tenure track
position after college.
Accreditation
The
Division of Education at Mount Saint Mary College is accredited by
the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE), www.ncate.org. This
accreditation covers initial teacher preparation programs and/or
advanced educator preparation programs at the College in Newburgh,
New York. However, the accreditation does not include individual
education courses that the institution offers to P-12 educators for
professional development, relicensure, or other purposes.
As part of the maintenance of NCATE accreditation, the college
is required to display data revealing the success of our programs.
The following link displays a connection to the most recent results
of Mount Saint Mary College teacher candidate “completers”
(graduates of our programs recommended for certification) on
New York State Teacher Certification Exams.