Our programs are designed to give you plenty of real-world experiences to prepare
you for a successful career in education.
Education Department
Whether you dream of becoming a teacher, a school building leader or a district leader,
our education programs are designed to empower you. Equipped with essential instructional
skills and hands-on field experiences, you’ll leave our programs ready to make a lasting
positive impact on the lives of your students and the communities you serve.
A Legacy of Teaching Educators
SUNY Plattsburgh’s education programs are nationally accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting
organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation — not surprising
for a school that has been teaching educators since 1889.
Programs that build on your expertise — Seamlessly sequenced courses leverage your
real-life experience, fostering a deeper understanding of educational concepts.
Immersive clinical experiences — Emphasizing the “learn by doing” philosophy, our
programs provide early and frequent exposure to classroom or administrative settings,
empowering you to excel as an educator or leader from day one.
Education Degrees & Certificates
Whether you are just starting your educational journey, are a career-changer or an
experienced educator looking to advance your career, we have a program to fit your
needs.
Bachelor’s Degree
With our childhood education major, you will be prepared to plan, implement and create
engaging and supportive learning communities for a diverse student body.
This program will give you a solid foundation for future graduate programs and initial
teacher certification in childhood education (grades 1-6) from the New York State
Education Department.
You will earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in only five years while working hands-on with
students, parents and administrators in school settings.
In our adolescence education combined B.A./M.S.T., you will complete a content-area
major (biology, chemistry, earth science, English, mathematics, physics, social studies
or Spanish) and then education courses to prepare you for teacher certification.
In our special education and childhood education combined program, you will be qualified
in four areas: childhood education (grades 1-6), special education (grades 1-6) childhood
education (birth-2nd grade) and special education (birth-2nd grade).
Our graduate-level adolescence education and childhood education M.S.T. programs are
designed with busy working professionals in mind — you can complete your coursework
100% online on your schedule. These graduate programs are perfect for career changers
with no previous coursework in education or in-service teachers looking to obtain
certification and further your career.
You will be eligible for initial certification immediately upon graduation in one
of the following subject areas: biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French,
history, mathematics, physics, or Spanish. After three years of teaching, you will
be eligible for professional certification.
The M.S.T. childhood education program is a 42-credit hour graduate program leading
to initial New York state certification for grades 1–6. The program can be completed
in three semesters as a full-time student.
Our early childhood and elementary M.S.Ed. programs are geared toward individuals
who already hold an undergraduate degree and certificate in education. For the grades
7–12 program, a B.S. or B.A in a field other than education is sufficient pending
a transcript evaluation.
Build upon your current certification and learn how to effectively teach adolescence-age
students with special needs. This flexible program gives you the option to study full-
or part-time.
Advance your career with our innovative educational leadership programs. Thoughtfully
designed to be completed in succession, you can ascend from teacher leader, to school
building leader and school district leader with a simplified admissions process and
transferable credits.
With the flexibility of 100% online coursework and embedded internships tailored to
the busy schedules of working educators, our programs make your journey towards leadership
seamless and achievable.
Learn the skills to take on leadership roles in your district. You will be able to
support principals and administration in instructional leadership tasks. Take all
your courses online, on your schedule, making it easier to continue working in your
current job.
Current teacher leadership students who would like to be considered for continuation
into the school building leader program have a simplified admission process.
Our 30-credit program prepares you to be a school building leader with the flexibility
to continue working in your current occupation while obtaining certification. Study
full- or part-time completely online.
Current school building leader students who would like to be considered for continuation
into the school district leader program have a simplified admission process.
This 8-credit summer program (mid-May to mid-August) allows you to complete your certification
for school district leader over your school break. Be eligible for a state administrative
certificate at the school-district level and be able to serve as district or assistant
superintendent or similar positions.