Teacher Certification

Transcription

1 Master s Degree Program Lead Story Headline Teacher Certification Programs Offered: M.S.Ed. - Early Childhood and Childhood Education (Birth - Grade 6) M.S.Ed. - Middle Childhood and Adolescence Education (Grade 5 - Grade 12) grad-ed@niagara.edu

2 What are the programs offered? Elementary (Birth - 6) certification - also referred to as Early Childhood and Childhood Education, and Primary/Junior in Ontario. Upon completion of the program students will hold a Master of Science in Education degree. Secondary (5-12) certification - also referred to as Middle Childhood and Adolescence Education, and Intermediate/ Senior in Ontario. Upon completion of the program students will hold a Master of Science in Education degree. When can I start the program? Niagara University offers two entry points into the program: Fall (September) or Spring (January). How long is the program? The program requires 39 credit hours and takes four semesters to complete. The program can be completed in 15 months: Fall Start - Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) Spring Start - Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Spring (January) What is the deadline for applying? Niagara University has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are considered as they are received and evaluated in a holistic fashion in keeping with the mission of the university. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application will be considered. Qualified students will continue to be accepted until the program is full. Please note programs may fill up without advance notice. I ve heard the program at Niagara University is a cohort-based program. What is a cohort-based program? Cohort-based programs are programs in which candidates attend courses and field experiences as a specific group earning their degrees together in a professional learning community. A cohort approach takes a diverse group of students and builds them into a community of teacher-learners by structuring their class schedules together and by teaching them in a way that emphasizes collegiality. The learning of each individual will assist the learning of others; the accomplishments of one should help all. This adds to the peer support that candidates experience within their group while at Niagara University, in field experiences, student teaching and later as alumni. The model is based on a set of principles known as constructivism in which the program is built on the sound research base of cooperative learning and is consistent with recent findings on successful professional growth projects. It provides a laboratory of meaningful interaction and offers the opportunity to develop professional dispositions and leadership skills on a daily basis. Further, the program utilizes team strategies drawn from the business and athletic worlds and fuses them into a collaborative school faculty. Candidates and professors alike find cohort-based programs to be a positive and dynamic learning experience. What facilities does Niagara s Academic Complex have to offer? High-Tech Academic Classrooms Model Pre K-12 Classrooms Certification/Licensure Assistance Family Literacy Center Comprehensive Field Experience Center Collaborative Working Space Institute of Applied Learning Professional Development Coffee Bar & Green Environment Faculty Suites

3 What is the field experience requirement of the program? Field experiences are designed to provide practical experience in various types of schools, learning environments, grade levels (as they apply to the certificate), and in the diversity of the student population in classrooms. The following field experiences are embedded into the program. 1 st Semester: 50 hours Early Field Experiences - Students from Ontario must complete these hours in the US. 2 nd Semester: 50 hours Teaching Assistantship 3 rd Semester: 50 hours Literacy Management Experiences - These placements involve teacher candidates working with local students in both classroom and summer camp placements. 4 th Semester: Student Teaching - Two full time placements. Each placement will address a different grade level to provide students with a variety of experiences. The Office of Student Teaching facilitates placement and works with numerous school districts and boards in New York and Ontario. Secondary students from Ontario will have placements in the content areas of their two teachables. Canadians can student teach in Ontario for both placements. (Canadian students therefore gain experiences in both the US and Canadian educational systems.) Why do I need a college / university level credit course in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and a Language other than English if I am going to be teaching Elementary age children? Since you will be teaching these subjects on a daily basis in the elementary classroom, it is essential that you have college /university-level course work in these respective disciplines. Where can I take the Elementary / Secondary prerequisite courses? Courses can be taken at accredited universities, colleges, or community colleges. Institutions are now offering flexible formatting of classes- express classes, staggered starts, intersession classes, distance education and online classes, etc. If the course is taken at a college / community college it needs to be for college (level) credit. Upon completion of required course work, an official transcript with credits (at least 3 hours / units or.5 credits) must to be submitted to Niagara University with documentation of the credits and grade / mark earned. Are there any prerequisite course requirements for Secondary Education? You will need a course in a language other than English from an accredited college or university. (See above.) *Students applying for Business Education are exempt from this requirement. Will American Sign Language (ASL) count for the foreign language requirement? Yes, as long as it is for 3 credit hours/units for US students, or at least.5 credit for Canadians. Can students take the CLEP test to meet the prerequisite requirements? Yes. Credit is awarded for scores of 50 or above on all CLEP examinations. For more information visit the CLEP website - How many days a week is the program? During the Fall and Spring, course work is kept to 2 consecutive days per week. You must also factor in time for your field experiences. During the Summer, course work is 3 to 4 days per week.

4 Do I get to pick my schedule? Since the program is cohort based, your schedule is assigned. What is the cost of tuition for the program? The program is 39 credit hours. For the 2015 academic year cost per credit hour is $675 US. 39 hours x $675 = $26,325 US. You pay tuition on semester-by-semester basis. Semester One - 12 hours x $675 = $8,100 US. Semester Two - 9 hours x $675 = $6,075 US. Semester Three - 9 hours x $675 = $6,075 US. Semester Four - 9 hours x $675 = $6,075 US. *For students seeking teacher certification in other countries, including Canada, bridge courses are available as part of your program. Besides tuition, are there any additional fees? There is a one time $ US Comprehensive Fee (parking, library, etc.) and a Chalk and Wire electronic portfolio fee of $46 per year. Students must also factor in the cost of textbooks. Is a Bachelor s Degree required to apply? Yes, a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university is required for admissions. The degree conferral should be posted on the final official transcript you submit. What if I am in progress with a scheduled graduation date? Individuals who are still students and currently in progress with a graduation date planned before the start of Niagara University s program need to indicate this on their application. Also, an official letter from the college / university should be submitted to verify your planned graduation date. The in progress letter is provided by the registrar or academic department. Please submit with your application the in progress letter and a current transcript showing classes you are currently enrolled in. A final transcript will be required once your degree is conferred and posted. What New York State certification tests are students (both US and Ontario) required to take and pass for certification? Teacher Performance Assessment (edtpa) Education All Students Test (EAS) Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST) Content Specialty Test (CST) - Elementary candidates must take both the Birth-2 and 1-6 Multi-Subject CST New York State certification website:

5 How can I find more information and upcoming events? More information pertaining to Niagara s teacher education program can be found online at It is highly recommended that you attend an informational session. Informational sessions, both in Ontario and on the NU Campus, will be coming up soon. Times, dates, locations, and registration information can be found at I ve heard that Niagara University s program is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), what does that mean? Professional accreditation of preparatory programs is the bedrock upon which all professions (e.g., architecture, engineering, medicine, law) have built their reputations. It assures that those entering the respective field have been suitably prepared to practice through assimilation of a body of knowledge and pre-service practice in the profession. Accreditation of schools of education indicates that the school underwent rigorous external review by professionals, that performance of a teacher candidate in the program has been thoroughly assessed before he or she is recommended for licensure, and that programs meet standards set by the teaching profession at large. CAEP advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. CAEP determines which schools, colleges, and departments of education meet rigorous national standards in preparing teachers and other school specialists for the classroom. For more information about CAEP you can go to - Where can I find information on financial aid? Niagara University Financial Aid office: Niagara University Scholarship, Employment, and Graduate Assistantship Information: www/niagara.edu/gradaid US students - FAFSA: Canadian students - OSAP: Financial Aid Counselor: / finaid@niagara.edu Who can I contact about Housing? Nightly Niagara: / Graduate and commuter students have the option of residing on campus in a residence hall on a nightly basis. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Center of Renewal Lower River Road - Stella Niagara, NY / Hospitality@Center-of-Renewal.org / Who can I contact about tuition / bursary questions? Director of Student Accounts: / sao@niagara.edu Who can I contact for assistance if I am an international students? (from outside of the US or Canada) International Relations: Bernadette Brennan (Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs): bmb@niagara.edu

6 More FAQ s for Canadian & International Students Will I need a Passport? Citizens of Canada are required to present a valid passport to enter the United States by any means, including by land, sea and air. Will I need a student VISA? All students who are not American citizens require a student VISA. The VISA is used to cross the border on a daily basis for classes. How difficult is a student VISA to obtain? The process for obtaining a VISA is fairly simple and very straightforward. Niagara University has been issuing student VISAs for decades and our staff is highly responsive to student's needs. Who can I contact if I have VISA questions? Assistant Director of Records - Phone: / Fax: / records@niagara.edu Records Office - Lower Level Gallagher - Niagara University, NY Sarina Munzi (Administrative Assistant - SEVIS Compliance): smunzi@niagara.edu / What is required by Immigration? Niagara University will send you an application for a student VISA, which will take you about 5 minutes to fill out. In addition to providing your personal information (e.g. citizenship, date of birth), you will also provide a letter from a financial institution documenting your ability to pay you tuition. You will then fax or mail the application back to Niagara, and then we will prepare your VISA. NU sends the VISA back to you in the mail so that you can present it at the border. What are the latest issues regarding crossing the border? Contrary to public speculation, crossing the border is quite quick and convenient. The delays that are announced in the media typically pertain only to "commercial" traffic - large trucks. Cars typically go around the line of trucks, and straight to the booths on the border. Can I be certified to teach in Ontario after completing the master s program? For students seeking teacher certification in Ontario, bridge courses designed to meet new O.C.T. requirements are available as part of your program. Upon completion of Niagara University's program, official transcripts of coursework and a letter of professional standing will be sent to the Ontario College of Teachers by the College of Education. Ontario students apply to the Ontario College of Teachers for an interim Certification of Qualifications. Can I apply while waiting to take the TOEFL or IELTS? Yes, you may apply while waiting for a scheduled exam. However, conditional admission is not provided to international students. We must receive your scores before official admission decisions will be made.

7 What is your institutional code so that TOEFL can send Niagara University the score directly? The TOEFL code for Niagara University is How do US college /university credit hours equate to credits in Canada? US college courses are semester based and are worth 3 college / university credit hours/units and usually equal.5 credit at Canadian institutions (though some Canadian institutions are on the hour system). Many Canadian courses are full year, which would equate to 6 credit hours. Six full year courses (or 12 half credits) would equate to 36 college / university credit hours in the US. How many credits do I need if I want to teach Secondary in my 1 st teachable and 2 nd teachable? The first specific teachable area requires what constitutes a major in that discipline, generally between 6 full year courses (12 half-year courses). The second teachable area requires what constitutes a minor in that discipline, generally 3 full year courses (6 half-year courses). Does it matter if I only have a 3-year Bachelor's degree? A bachelor s degree is required for the program. An honors is not necessary, thus a 3-year bachelor s degree will satisfy admission requirements. What are the Ontario Teachables for Secondary Education that Niagara University offers? Business Studies- Accounting International Languages- Arabic Business Studies- Entrepreneurship International Languages- Italian Business Studies- General International Languages- Mandarin Business Studies- Information and Communication Technology International Languages- Spanish Computer Studies Mathematics Dramatic Arts (2nd only) Politics Economics Religious Education English Science- Biology French as a 2 nd Language Science- Chemistry Geography Science- General History Social Sciences General International Languages *Two teachables are required for students seeking certification in Ontario.

8 Will Niagara University accept OACs to fulfill the prerequisite course requirement? No. Due to our standards and national accreditation, we cannot accept OACs. How do I get to the campus from Ontario? Take the QEW towards Niagara Once you pass over the St. Catharines Skyway you will want to get over in the left lane Take the HWY-405 exit towards Queenston, exit #37 Continue on to the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge (You can see Niagara University from the bridge off on your right hand side.) After customs proceed to the far right hand lane and take the first right hand turn which is the first exit toward RT- 104/ R. MOSES PKWY/ Lewiston Take the RT-104 West ramp Turn slight right onto Lewiston Rd / NY-104 West Turn left onto University Dr. The College of Education is located in the Academic Complex - Room 225 Where is Niagara University located? Niagara University is located in the Town of Lewiston, New York. It stands atop the picturesque Niagara River Gorge five miles from the world famous Niagara Falls and overlooks the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Queenston Lewiston Bridge is only one mile from Niagara University. Niagara University is located outside of the Buffalo / Lake Erie snow belt and receives substantially less snow than the metroplex in the winter.

9 What materials do I need to apply? Niagara University s graduate education application process is self managed. Please submit online application and ALL application materials: 1. Niagara University Teacher Certification Application - Online available online $30.00 Application Fee - Online Paid via credit card 3. Official Transcripts - Mailed Official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended in a sealed institution envelope *If you have not yet graduated and/or your degree has not been conferred, please enclose an in-progress letter. 4. Two References - Online (or Mailed) Academic, Professional, and/or Volunteer *After submitting your online application, you will be able to directly your references to request a recommendation. 5. Statement of Intent - Online Two-page, double-spaced, typewritten statement discussing your academic and/or research background, your career goals, personal philosophy, and how Niagara University s graduate program will help you meet your career and educational goals. *Please include your name at the top of this uploaded document. 6. Resume and/or Experience Profile - Online (Optional) Resume and/or profile including all professional experiences relating to the intended field of study *To be uploaded in the same document as your Statement of Intent. Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0/B may be required to attend an interview designed to examine the student's career goals, personal readiness for their program, multicultural sensitivity and awareness, personal dispositions and decision-making skills, and/or provide a writing sample. A degree evaluation by WES ( is required for applicants who have obtained a degree outside of the United States or Canada. Please select the comprehensive course-by-course report. For individuals whose native language is not English, a language proficiency examination is required. Please visit for more information. Niagara waives this examination requirement for students scoring 600+ on the GRE/GMAT. Remember to submit ALL application materials. Materials marked Mailed can be sent to: Niagara University Graduate Education Office Academic Complex Room 225 Niagara University, New York

10 Program Requirements Fall Starters First Semester Elementary (Primary/Junior) EDU 523 Foundations of Education EDU 536 Human Learning, Development and Motivation EDU 539 Characteristics of Students with Exceptional Needs EDU 595 Introduction to Educational Research **EDU 681PA Portfolio 1 *50 Hours Field Experiences Second Semester EDU 505 Measurement and Evaluation in Education EDU 529 Curricular Applications in Elementary/Inclusive Education EDU 767 Methods of Teaching Elementary/Inclusive Education **EDU 532 Adolescent Psych *50 Hours Teaching Assistantship Third Semester EDU 571 Foundations of Literacy Instruction EDU 576 Integrating Language Arts in the Elementary Curriculum EDU 530 Managing Culturally Responsive Classrooms **EDU 790PA Portfolio 2 *50 Hours Literacy Management Experiences Fourth Semester EDU 787 Practicum in the Elementary Classroom (6 credits) EDU 791 Professional Seminar in Elementary Education First Semester Secondary (Intermediate/Senior) EDU 523 Foundations of Education EDU 536 Human Learning, Development and Motivation EDU 539 Characteristics of Students with Exceptional Needs EDU 595 Introduction to Educational Research **EDU 681PA Portfolio 1 *50 Hours Field Experiences Second Semester EDU 505 Measurement and Evaluation in Education EDU 760 Methods of Teaching Secondary Education (content specific) EDU Special Methods of Teaching in the Academic Subject Areas of Secondary Education **EDU 532 Adolescent Psych *50 Hours Teaching Assistantship Third Semester EDU 571 Foundations of Literacy Instruction EDU 577 Content Literacy Methods EDU 530 Managing Culturally Responsive Classrooms **EDU 790PA Portfolio 2 *50 Hours Literacy Management Experiences Fourth Semester EDU Practicum in the Secondary Classroom (6 credits) EDU 790 Professional Seminar in Secondary Education **For international students seeking teacher certification in other countries, including Canada.** Niagara University reserves the right to make revisions on any or all specifications contained herein and to apply such revisions to current and new students alike. The provisions in this document are to be considered directive in character and not as an irrevocable contract between the student and graduate division.

11 Program Requirements Spring Starters First Semester Elementary (Primary/Junior) EDU 523 Foundations of Education EDU 536 Human Learning, Development and Motivation EDU 539 Characteristics of Students with Exceptional Needs EDU 595 Introduction to Educational Research **EDU 681PA Portfolio 1 *50 Hours Field Experiences Second Semester EDU 571 Foundations of Literacy Instruction EDU 576 Integrating Language Arts in the Elementary Curriculum EDU 530 Managing Culturally Responsive Classrooms **EDU 790PA Portfolio 2 *50 Hours Literacy Management Experiences Third Semester EDU 505 Measurement and Evaluation in Education EDU 529 Curricular Applications in Elementary/Inclusive Education EDU 767 Methods of Teaching Elementary/Inclusive Education **EDU 532 Adolescent Psych *50 Hours Teaching Assistantship First Semester Secondary (Intermediate/Senior) EDU 523 Foundations of Education EDU 536 Human Learning, Development and Motivation EDU 539 Characteristics of Students with Exceptional Needs EDU 595 Introduction to Educational Research **EDU 681PA Portfolio 1 *50 Hours Field Experiences Second Semester EDU 571 Foundations of Literacy Instruction EDU 577 Content Literacy Methods EDU 530 Managing Culturally Responsive Classrooms **EDU 790PA Portfolio 2 *50 Hours Literacy Management Experiences Third Semester EDU 505 Measurement and Evaluation in Education EDU 760 Methods of Teaching Secondary Education (content specific) EDU Special Methods of Teaching in the Academic Subject Areas of Secondary Education **EDU 532 Adolescent Psych *50 Hours Teaching Assistantship Fourth Semester EDU 787 Practicum in the Elementary Classroom (6 credits) EDU 791 Professional Seminar in Elementary Education Fourth Semester EDU Practicum in the Secondary Classroom (6 credits) EDU 790 Professional Seminar in Secondary Education **For international students seeking teacher certification in other countries, including Canada.** Niagara University reserves the right to make revisions on any or all specifications contained herein and to apply such revisions to current and new students alike. The provisions in this document are to be considered directive in character and not as an irrevocable contract between the student and graduate division.