Education Programs at Plattsburgh State
Building On a Century-Long Tradition of Preparing Teachers
Have you ever wondered how your teachers became teachers? What inspired them to enter their profession? How did they get started? Ever wonder about how you might become a teacher?
Teaching is a profession with a long and venerable tradition. It's not for everyone. It requires the "raw materials" of intelligence, patience, and commitment to helping others - all combined with a very specialized training in both the passing on of knowledge and in helping others to think and learn for themselves. You can't get this kind of professional preparation at every college. At Plattsburgh State, we have made it our specialty for more than 100 years.
Plattsburgh's education program prepares tomorrow's teachers with the intellectual foundations, professional theory, and hands-on professional experiences that will be demanded of them as educators in the 21st century. Baccalaureate degree programs combine everything that is needed for both graduation and New York State Department of Education requirements. What is more, Plattsburgh provides master's-level teacher education degrees, which are mandatory for professional certification in New York State. We even offer a special master's track for four-year college graduates whose degrees are outside of education fields, but who wish to become certified teachers. All of this makes Plattsburgh one of the most comprehensive teacher education centers that can be found anywhere.
Many students discover that their interest in becoming a teacher stems from earlier grade school or high school experiences: for example, a high school coach who encouraged them, or a teacher who made a difference in their life by believing in them or who made learning both easy and fun. If you're at the stage where you think that you'd like to start down the road to becoming an educator and are ready to select this field as your college major, you will be pleased to know that our program is designed to help you at every step of your journey. Our students, whom we call pre-service teachers, receive academic and career advisement from the time they enroll until graduation. Programs are designed to bring you gradually through all the theoretical and practical preparation that teachers need. Even at the final student-teaching stage of your college career, Plattsburgh advisors will be there with you in the field, helping you to hone down the basics of working with students in a real classroom environment.
Advantages
- Quality teacher education program with a 100-plus year tradition
- Expert introduction to professional course work, through advanced theory and practical preparation
- Classes taught by qualified faculty, not graduate teaching assistants
- Bachelor's and master's degrees offered
- Extensive student-teaching network
Field experiences
All Plattsburgh pre-service teachers enjoy the opportunity to observe and teach in assigned classrooms before student teaching. In fact, our Office of Field Placement arranges hundreds of in-school opportunities at various levels throughout students' junior and senior years.
All pre-service teachers complete their practical preparation in their senior year of college by enrolling in a full semester of student teaching. With the support of Plattsburgh Field Supervisors and working teachers in the field, student-teachers assume full responsibility for classroom instruction.
Plattsburgh students receive student-teaching assignments throughout northern New York State, from Albany to the Canadian border and from Lake Champlain to Malone and in New York City. Pre-service teachers have historically placed a high value on their field placements as they seek to apply the knowledge and skills gained through their classroom experiences.
After graduation
After you earn your bachelor's degree at Plattsburgh, you may apply to the graduate degree programs in Elementary, Special, and Secondary Education, in Curriculum and Instruction, and Reading, plus an Advanced Certificate in School Administration and Supervision.
Programs of Study
Note: These documents require the latest version of Acrobat Reader, which is available as a free download.
- Adolescence Education
- Adolescence Education Undergraduate Program. See page 41. (PDF file size is 247kb)
- Adolescence Education Graduate Program. See page 1. (PDF file size is 230kb)
- Childhood Education
- Childhood Education Undergraduate Program. See page 38. (PDF file size is 247kb)
- Childhood Education Graduate Program. See page 5. (PDF file size is 230kb)
- Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership. See page 12. (PDF file size is 230kb)
- Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Program. See page 10. (PDF file size is 230kb)
- Literacy Education. See page 14. (PDF file size is 230kb)
- Special Education. See page 19. (PDF file size is 230kb)
- View education (EDU) course descriptions
Offices and Services
- Departments of Educational Studies and Services Administrative Office
Located in Room 302 Sibley Hall on the Plattsburgh State campus, this office houses all the secretaries for the departments of education and is the central point for picking up forms, brochures, and other information. - Extension Site at Adirondack Community College
This office serves graduate candidates enrolled in education programs at the Adirondack Community College (A.C.C.) in Glens Falls. - Graduate Advisor Office
This office serves individuals who are interested in getting more information about Plattsburgh State graduate programs in education. - Office of Student Teaching and Field Placement
This office places candidates in the schools for field experiences and student teaching so that they can meet New York State Education Departement (N.Y.S.E.D.) certification and Plattsburgh State program requirements. The office serves candidates in all five departments of education. - Professional Studies Office
Office of the Dean: Located in Room 400 Sibley Hall on the Plattsburgh State campus, this office houses the Dean and Associate Dean of Professional Studies, both of whom oversee the five departments of education which are part of the Professional Studies Division. - Reading Center
Located on the Plattsburgh State campus in Room 332 Sibley, the center serves undergraduate and graduate education candidates as well as children in the community who need help in boosting their reading skills. - Undergraduate Advisor/Academic Progress
This office serves candidates in undergraduate education programs who are in need of advise or help in meeting academic requirements for all undergraduate programs.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions?
If you would like more information about education programs at Plattsburgh State, please contact
Departments of Educational Studies and Services
Office: Sibley 302, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 564-2122
Fax: (518) 564-2149
E-mail: education@plattsburgh.edu