A Message From The Director

Lois A. Fisch, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Education 

Director, Institute for Excellence in Education 

Welcome to the Utica College Education Programs. The education programs at Utica College embody the College’s mission and values while providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and values that will enable them to become excellent teachers and administrators with fulfilling careers in education.

The education faculty believe that teachers and administrators must be thoroughly knowledgeable in both content and pedagogy. Undergraduate education students complete a major in the liberal arts in addition to completing the pedagogical courses and field experiences required for certification. Graduate students hold a bachelor’s degree with a major or major equivalent in an appropriate liberal arts area.

Our degree candidates will acquire a foundation in the knowledge, values, and teaching or administrative and leadership practices for quality inclusive schools; a foundation of knowledge in child development, learner characteristics, and theories of learning and teaching; skills in critical thinking, problem solving and methods of inquiry; and skills that will help them foster collaboration among teachers, administrators, family, and community.

Education courses, fieldwork experiences, student teaching, and administrative internships provide our graduates with the knowledge and skills to work with students with diverse needs in rural, suburban, and inner city schools. Our education programs are carefully designed to prepare you for New York State certification.

The Utica College Education Program, which is designed to ground students in the values, knowledge, and practices for teachers and leaders in inclusive classrooms and schools in the belief that educators can facilitate learning for all children, is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) for a period of five years, from June 26, 2006 to June 26, 2011.

I encourage you to contact us for more information about education programs at Utica College.

Best regards,


Lois A. Fisch, Ph.D.