Educational Studies
The Education Division offers an array of programs to prepare future educators and others who are interested in education-related fields at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
At the undergraduate level, the College offers majors in education leading to New York State teacher certification across three levels: early childhood (birth through grade 2), childhood (grades 1-6), and adolescent (grades 7-12).
• The Unified Early Childhood/ Special Education program prepares candidates for certification in teaching both regular and special education from birth through grade 2.
• The Unified Childhood/ Special Education program prepares candidates for certification in teaching both regular and special education from grade 1 through grade 6.
• The Adolescent program prepares candidates for certification with three options: as a regular educator in one of five content areas (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Biology, or Chemistry), from grades 7 through 12. Candidates may opt to add coursework to earn dual certification in their content area and in special education. Or, those candidates who want to work primarily with students with disabilities in grades 7-12 may opt for the Adolescent Generalist Special Education Program.
In addition to programs that lead to certification, the education division offers an undergraduate major in Educational Studies. This major will provide students with the knowledge and skills to become successful partners in educational settings. Such settings could be publishing companies, law firms, businesses, museums, and social service agencies. This major will not lead to teacher certification.
At the graduate level, the education division offers a Master’s in Literacy program that prepares candidates for initial certification in Literacy birth through grade 6, and literacy grades 5-12. This program is designed for teachers who currently hold New York State teacher certification.
Mission of the Education Program
The mission of the Keuka College education program, in keeping with the College’s mission, is to provide our students with a strong liberal-arts based professional preparation program, which integrates experiential learning in an intellectually challenging and supportive learning environment. We seek to prepare professional educators who can meet the needs of diverse learners and who are committed to a lifetime of reflective practice, collaborative service, and ethical leadership.
In keeping with this mission, we present these philosophical statements that guide our teaching and program development, as well as the personal development of each learner:
• Experiential education is the cornerstone of an effective teacher education program.
• The best practice is research-based and grounded in theory.
• Reflection on practice is instrumental in the continual development of best teaching.
• Every teacher needs to be prepared in both methodology and content to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
• A teacher education program needs to prepare the future educator for life-long professional and personal growth.
• College faculty need direct experience in the classroom to become, and remain, effective instructors.