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Secondary Teacher Certification Program




For the purpose of teacher certification by the State of New York, Secondary Education is categorized as Middle Childhood Education for grades 5 through 9, and Adolescence Education for grades 7 through 12. The emphasis of the Secondary Teacher Certification program is on the subject the student plans to teach, on a series of sequential education courses that prepare the teacher candidate to successfully confront the challenges of teaching, and on two practical supervised student teaching experiences at both the Middle School and High School levels.

Students, in conjunction with Education and Content Area advisors, design a program that will provide them with necessary instructional and classroom management skills, as well as content area courses required for the Dowling College degree and for New York State Teacher Certification. Students are requested to meet with the Coordinator of Secondary Education early in their program in order to keep informed about changes in New York State Teacher Certification and Dowling degree requirements.

Certification areas
Students may be certified in the following areas:
Biology*
Business and Marketing
Chemistry*
Earth Science*
English*
French*
Mathematics*
Music
Physics*
Social Studies*
Spanish*
Theater Arts
Visual Arts

*Students wishing to pursue dual certification in Middle Childhood or Adolescence Education with Special Education in one of these subject areas should refer to the B.S. in Special Education requirements on page 82.

In addition to meeting the academic area requirements for certification in their respective departments, students must demonstrate competency in a language other than English and have taken a broad background of course work in Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.

When students complete this program they will have acquired knowledge, skills, and dispositions in four domains:

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of content and pedagogy, demonstrate knowledge of students, be able to select instructional goals, demonstrate knowledge of resources, design coherent instruction and assess student learning.

Domain 2: The Classroom Environment
Students will be able to create an environment of respect and rapport among the students and teacher, establish a culture for learning, manage classroom procedures and manage student behavior.

Domain 3: Instruction
Students will be able to communicate clearly and accurately, use question and discussion techniques effectively, engage students in learning, provide proper feedback and demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness.

Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities
Students will be able to reflect on teaching, maintain accurate records, communicate effectively with families, and contribute to the school, the district, and the community.

Academic Benchmarks
All Students seeking Secondary Teacher Certification have their academic progress evaluated at three stages:

Entry Stage:
Students seeking entry into the Secondary Teacher Certification Program must apply for admission through the Office of Enrollment Services. The office evaluates such student credentials as transcripts from high school and/or post-secondary institutions, scores on the SAT, letters of recommendation, etc. (See Admissions).

Midpoint Stage:
Students reach the midpoint stage of the program immediately prior to enrolling in EDU 3127. At this stage students must have met the following requirements:
  • Satisfactory completion of the following courses: EDU 1021A, EDU 1081A, EDU 3146N, EDU 4150A, LIB 1101N, PSY 2016A, and EDU 1140A or SMP 1032A
  • Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of content courses
  • Earned a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5

    Exit Stage:
    Students reach the exit stage immediately prior to applying for the Initial Teaching Certificate. At this stage students must have met the following requirements:
  • Satisfactory completion of the following courses: EDU 4194N, EDU 4195N, and EDU 4196N
  • Completion of all required content courses
  • Satisfaction of the language requirement
  • Awarded a Baccalaureate Degree
  • Passed the required New York State Teacher Certification Exams (LAST, CST, ATS-W)
  • Attended the required workshops (Child Abuse, Violence Prevention)
  • Fingerprinting
  • Minimum G.P.A. of 2.5


    CORE REQUIREMENTS
    Middle Childhood (5-9) and Adolescence (7-12)
    Lower Junior Year
    Course Number and Title Credits
    EDU 1021A Education in Society 3 
    EDU 1160A The Middle School and the Middle School Child (Middle Childhood only) 3 
    EDU 3146N Literacy Acquisition I 3 
    PSY 2016A Developmental Psychology II 3 

    Upper Junior Year
    EDU 1081A Introduction to Exceptional Children 3 
    SMP 1032A Personal Health and Human Development or 3 
    EDU 1140A Prevention and Intervention Strategies for Youth at Risk 3 
    EDU 4150N Teaching Reading in the Content Areas (prerequisite EDU 3146N) 3 
    LIB 1101N Information Literacy 1 

    Middle Childhood and Adolescence Pedagogy
    Lower Senior Year
    Course Number and Title
    EDU 3127N Curriculum Development, Grades 5-12 (10 hours field experience per week at grades 5 & 6 in middle childhood program, or grades 7-9 in adolescence program) 3 
    EDU 3128N Instructional Methods & Classroom Management Strategies*; Grades 5-12 (corequisite EDU 3127N) 3 
    EDU 4149N Literacy Acquisition II (Middle Childhood only) (prerequisite EDU 3146N, corequisite EDU 3128N) 3 

    Upper Senior Year
    (EDU 4194N, 4195N, and 4196N must be taken together)
    EDU 4194N Student Teaching Seminar; Grades 5-12 3 
    EDU 4195N Subject Methods Seminar; Grades 5-12 3 
    EDU 4196N Supervised Student Teaching; Grades 5-12* 3 

    *In addition to course registration, students are required to register with the Director of Educational Placements by November 15 for Spring semester student teaching, and by May 1 for Fall semester student teaching. Field placements will be at the discretion of the Director of Educational Placements. The student must maintain a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 or better in the subject area for which he/she seeks Teacher Certification.

    Note: Students seeking Middle Childhood or Adolescence certification must also complete 6 credits in one foreign language, not American Sign Language, prior to student teaching (EDU 4194N, EDU 4195N, EDU 4196N). Sign Language may only be used by students requiring special accommodations.
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