Laurence Zoeckler, Ph.D.
Laurence Zoeckler, Ph.D.
Chair of Educator Preparation
(315) 792-5280
Educator Preparation Program
What We Do
Utica University offers programs in teacher education that lead to certification in several different teaching areas.
Utica University offers programs in teacher education that lead to certification in several different teaching areas. In order to be certified to teach in New York state, prospective teachers are required to complete a bachelor’s degree, including the education program requirements, to pass the mandatory New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, and to meet all other regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education.
Undergraduate Educator Preparation Graduate Education Program
**Per New York State legislation, the graduate education department no longer requires the MAT or GRE exam for admissions.
Students interested in a teaching career should plan to consult with an education adviser soon after matriculation to discuss career possibilities, procedures for admission to the education programs and the requirements for completion, and for information about the certification areas available. Some education courses require written permission of the chair for registration.
Courses in the education programs include observation and work in the public schools as well as regular course work. The practical application of the theory and principles of teaching and learning culminates in an assignment to area schools for student teaching in the senior year. It is necessary for students to make plans to set aside one of the semesters of the senior year to devote entirely to student teaching.
There are specific admission and retention criteria and policies, including a minimum 2.75 GPA requirement, for the education programs. There are also additional requirements associated with student teaching.
Special Opportunities
The Utica University Educator Preparation program has partnership agreements with the Oriskany Central School District, New York Mills Free Union Schools and other local districts that provides on-site college courses for students as well as fieldwork opportunities.
The Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program is a collaborative project, launched in 1993, between Utica College and the Utica City School District designed to meet the challenges of motivating middle- and high-school students to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents diploma, and pursue post-secondary education. This program provides the opportunity for education students to work with students, faculty, staff, and youth advocates at Donovan and Kennedy Middle Schools and Proctor High School.
Facilities
Utica University maintains seven academic computer laboratories on campus. These labs contain either IBM-compatible or Apple Macintosh computers. Classes are taught in some of the computer labs; all labs are accessible to any Utica student during published hours. The labs are equipped with laser printers, and the computers have word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs. Student assistants and a Computer Help Desk provide any assistance that students need.
Career Opportunities
Students who successfully complete a bachelor's degree and the education program at Utica, and who take the requisite New York state examinations, are eligible for provisional teacher certification in New York at the PreK-6 or 7-12 level. By interstate agreement, they also are eligible for provisional certification in most other states. Since requirements differ from state to state, however, students are advised to obtain information from the state in which they wish to teach.
Graduates of Utica's education programs teach in area schools and all over the United States. Many of those who remain in the area maintain close contact with Utica by serving on the Teacher Education Advisory Committee.
How to Qualify
To qualify for student teaching, you need to:
- Receive a grade no lower than a C in any course in the Education Program;
- Maintain an overall minimum GPA of 2.75 (undergraduates); maintain an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (graduate candidates)
- Complete all requirements of their major (undergraduates)
- Complete all Core courses required by NYSED (if not previously met)
- Receive the positive endorsement of the faculty in the academic major
- Receive the positive endorsement of the faculty in education
- Have fingerprint record in the NYSED TEACH system per program and NYS process
Students are required to pass all NYSED Teacher Certification Exams prior to receiving initial certification. Go to NYSTCE for current information about NYS certification tests. Should you need assistance in preparing for these exams, help with test taking skills is available in our Center for Student Success. You can also enroll in on-line preparation for the New York State Teacher Certification exams at www.certed.com
The Education Program sends requests for cooperating teachers to all area school districts. Student teaching placements will be assigned by the Education Program, and every effort will be made to work with the individual needs of students within the parameters of the program.
Application
Apply online for student teaching. Please note that if you are not currently in the education program but intend on student teaching after being added back in, you will need to stop by Library Concourse room 128 to apply. Click on the link above to apply.
Utica University is currently pursuing accreditation of its educator preparation programs by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Pursuant to §52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the educator preparation programs offered by Utica College are considered to be continuously accredited for purposes of meeting the New York State requirement that all such programs maintain continuous accreditation.
If you have any questions about this information, please feel free to contact Laurence Zoeckler Ph.D., Chair, Educator Preparation Programs, Utica University at lzoeckl@utica.edu or 315-792-5280. You may also contact Ahmed Radwan, Dean, Health Professions and Education, Utica College at aradwan@utica.edu or 315-792-3853.
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