Education Program - Undergraduate Education Requirements
General Education Requirements
Candidates must complete all Plattsburgh State University of New York General Education Requirements, which are intended to provide the skills, breadth of knowledge, and the perspectives that all college graduates should have beyond their major.
Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)
Candidates seeking admission into the professional education programs must take and pass all sections of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) prior to enrolling in EDU 33O--Exploring Educational Issues Through Writing. Passing the PPST is a prerequisite to enrolling in EDU 330 that, in turn, is a prerequisite to entering the initial course in each professional education program. These are EDU 371 for elementary grades 1-6 and elementary and middle childhood education; EDS 410 for special/elementary grades 1-6; and EDU 372 for secondary education. PPST exams are administered at Plattsburgh State University and at other times at various university locations. Education program majors and potential transfer candidates, who may be otherwise eligible to enter EDU 330 in their first semester at PSU, are advised to take this exam as soon as possible since it must be taken at least one semester before enrolling in EDU 330. Candidates should contact the Departments of Educational Studies and Services Office for further information about the PPST exam.
Admission Requirements for All Undergraduate Education Programs
By the end of the first semester of their sophomore year, all candidates and transfers seeking to enter an education program must complete and submit an "Application for Admission."
Eligibility requirements for ALL education majors are as follows:
- Attend a mandatory "Application for Admission" session in October or February;
- Minimum overall GPA of 2.5 (not including education classes);
- Minimum GPA in concentration of 2.5;
- Minimum grade of 2.0 in English 101;
- Completion of at least 30 credits overall;
- Take and pass all required subtests - math, reading, and writing--of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST);
- Complete and submit an "Application for Admission" form to the Departments of Educational Studies and Services Office; and
- Provide evidence of suitability for a teaching career, as established by information provided on the "Application for Admission" and one letter of reference.
Note: The professional education faculty is considering the requirement of having candidates take the LAST/NYSTCE exam as an exit benchmark after completing the content majors and concentrations.)
Application forms may be obtained from the Departments of Educational Studies and Services Office in Sibley 302 and must be submitted to the office in October or February. Admission decisions will be made by a committee of faculty members and mailed to candidates'local addresses. All decisions will be made prior to candidates' need for advising and registration for courses for the next semester.
Candidates who are admitted to an education program must complete all required education courses with a C or better to continue to the next higher level in the education sequence. Candidates who fall below a 2.50 minimum will not be allowed to progress in their program, but they will be allowed to retake any education course once. An advisor will assist candidates in making appropriate professional decisions. Screening and guidance will occur throughout the professional sequence.
Pre-Student Teaching Education Program and Field Experiences (Practicums/Internships/Blocks)
Pre-Student Teaching Education Program
Successful progression through the education program requires satisfactory attainment of prescribed competencies. These competencies are gained through a planned sequence encompassing several semesters, usually scheduled during the junior and senior years. This theory-based, experience-oriented program culminates in a senior field experience referred to as student teaching. The candidate is held responsible for any arrangements and expenses incurred for transportation while assigned to field-based experiences in any of the sequences. Completion of the sequences requires education course work for majors as follows: 53 credits for elementary, 54 credits for middle childhood education, 38 credits for secondary and 57 credits for special/elementary education.
Field Experiences: Prior to entrance into the Senior Field Experience (Student Teaching), all teaching candidates must complete a "Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience Record." This record will be included in the candidates' portfolio and will ensure that they receive experience with students in each of the following four (4) categories:
- Low socioeconomic status
- English language learners
- Students with disabilities and high needs schools.
Some of these requirements may be completed through regular pre-student teaching field placements as part of practicum/internship/or block coursework. However, it remains the responsibility of each teaching candidate to ensure that experience has been completed in all four (4) categories prior to entering student teaching.
Senior Field Experience (Student Teaching)
Student teachers test ideas, assume responsibility and develop competencies in performing the role of a teacher. The elementary major participates in student teaching at both the primary and intermediate levels while the secondary major student teaches at both the junior high and senior high school levels. Candidates enrolled in the special education/elementary education major receive placement in both special and elementary education classrooms.
At the beginning of every spring semester, ALL candidates qualified to student teach during the following fall or spring semesters must attend a mandatory student teaching application session. Plattsburgh operates senior field experience centers in various geographic areas extending from the Canadian border to Malone, and south to the Glens Falls, Albany, and New York City regions. Senior field experience assignments are limited to these geographic regions. With the exception of New York City, candidates may be required to relocate to any of these regions. All placements are arranged by the Office of Field Experience and Student Teaching.
Admission to the Senior Field Experience (Student Teaching)
Candidates must meet certain requirements to qualify for admission to the senior field experience (student teaching). These are:
- Attendance in the spring semester (1 to 2 semesters prior to student teaching) at a mandatory student teaching application session;
- Completion of the appropriate student teaching application form and all other required data forms, including the "Pre-Student Teaching Field Experience Record";
- Minimum grade of C in ENG 101--English Composition and in EDU 330--Exploring Educational Issues Through Writing;
- Pass all Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) examinations;
- Completion of at least 87 credits with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5;
- Completion of all required professional education courses through the semester preceding the senior field experience with no grade below a C;
- Completion of all required work in the academic specialization by the semester preceding the senior field experience with a GPA of at least 2.5 in the area of concentration. (Secondary majors must also have the recommendation of the faculty of their academic specializations.);
- Certification by a physician that the candidate is apparently free from physical and mental conditions which might prevent the candidate from participating in the senior field experience;
- Demonstrated competency in written expression;
- Certification by the Dean of Students that the candidate's standing in the college community (as reflected in her/his conduct) is such as to ensure reasonable effectiveness in pupil, faculty and community relations; and
- Satisfactory completion of: HED 310--Foundations of Personal Health and EDU 357--Use of Media in Education. Final decisions regarding admission to the senior field experience are made by the college's Director of Field Experiences and Student Teaching upon the recommendation of the teacher education faculty.
Note: See the additional degree requirements following each program area.
Graduation (Exit) Requirements from All Education Programs
In order to graduate from Plattsburgh State University of New York with a degree in education, undergraduates must meet the following graduation (exit) requirements:
- Completion of all general education, concentration, and professional education course requirements;
- Overall GPA of 2.5;
- No education course below a C;
- Pass all PPST examinations;
- Successful completion of student teaching (P);
- HED 310 or its equivalent (must include substance abuse awareness, child abuse and neglect, and school violence prevention and intervention instruction);
- Foreign Language;
- Completion of all field-related requirements (i.e., ESL, low SES; disabilities; and high needs);
- Application for graduation.
In order to obtain NYS initial teacher certification, all candidates must take and pass three NYSTCE exams (LAST, ATS-W, CST); submit fingerprint package to NYS; and apply for NYS teacher certification.
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