Education Department

Contact Us
Education Department Administrative Office: Sibley 302
Phone: 518-564-3099 Fax: 518-564-2149

Shared Vision

Our purpose is to prepare educators who are competent, caring, and qualified; who are rooted in the university’s strong liberal arts tradition; and who endeavor to practice professionally, exemplifying ethical and democratic principles in a complex world. Concurrent with academic study, our professional teacher education programs include essential early and continuous learning experiences in field settings. In partnership with university departments, schools, and communities, our professional education programs prepare reflective educators at the initial level, and proficient reflective educators at the advanced level. The professional education faculty shared vision ensures coherence among content knowledge, pedagogy, field experiences, and student performance for all teaching preparation programs. It reflects our commitment to prepare educators to work with ALL students.

National Accreditation

The SUNY university at Plattsburgh’s Teacher Education programs, which are designed to prepare competent, qualified, and caring teachers for tomorrow’s schools, are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council for a period of 7 years, from October 2014 to October 2021. Review by Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) will take place in April 2021.

Degrees and Programs in Education

Childhood Education (Grades 1-6):

The Bachelor of Science requires at least 60 credit hours in liberal arts, including electives. Childhood education majors select an appropriate area of academic concentration. To learn more about the concentrations, visit our website.

Special Education:

The combined programs leading to a degree in Childhood Education and Special Education offers unique opportunities for a streamlined educational experience. For more information, see Childhood Education/Special Education Combined Program, B.S./M.S.Ed. .

Adolescence Education (7-12):

Combined programs in Adolescence Education with biology, chemistry, English, geology, history, mathematics, physics, or Spanish are available. For more information see Adolescence Education Combined Program, B.A./M.S.T.   

M.S.T. and M.S.Ed.:

Programs are available that lead to M.S.T and M.S.Ed. degrees. See more information at Adolescence Education Program, M.S.T. , Childhood Education Program, M.S.T. , and Special Education Programs, M.S.Ed. . 

Study Away Programs and Initiatives in Education

SUNY Plattsburgh has semester or full academic year exchange programs with a number of universities in a variety of countries. In addition, short-term study away initiatives (1 to 3 weeks) during the winter or summer sessions may also be available. Teacher education majors are advised to plan early for a semester or year abroad in consultation with their academic advisor. The program is coordinated by the Office of Global Education.

Language Requirement (other than English)

All teacher education students must complete a two-semester, beginning-level sequence, or its equivalent, in French, German, Gaelic, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or American Sign Language. (See the chairperson of the department of Modern Languages and Cultures for further details.) The second semester foreign language course also satisfies SUNY Plattsburgh’s general education foreign language requirement. Students who have satisfied SUNY Plattsburgh’s general education foreign language requirement with a score of 85 or higher on the Regents exam plus four or more years of high school courses in the same foreign language, through a CLEP exam, or through SUNY Plattsburgh’s placement exam have met this certification requirement.

General Education Requirements

Education majors must complete all SUNY Plattsburgh general education requirements, which are intended to provide the skills, breadth of knowledge, and the perspectives that all university graduates should have beyond their major.

Continuing Enrollment Requirements for All Undergraduate Education Programs

All education majors and transfer students seeking to enter an education program must meet the following eligibility requirements for the undergraduate teacher education programs:

1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to enter the program and to remain in the program. Education majors who fall below a 2.75 minimum GPA may be dismissed from the program.
2. Minimum grade of C or better in ENG 101 .
3. Students who are admitted to an education program must complete all required education courses with a C or better in order to continue to the next higher level in the education sequence.
4. Students who exhibit deficiencies in professional behavior and/or teaching performance, regardless of GPA, may be subject to dismissal from the program.

An advisor will assist students in making appropriate professional decisions.

 Clinical Practice (Overview)

Successful progression through the education program requires satisfactory attainment of prescribed competencies. These competencies are gained through a series of clinical experiences. This theory-based, practice-oriented program culminates in student teaching. Teacher candidates must complete the Felony Questionnaire in Plattsburgh’s student information system prior to their first clinical placement. Teacher candidates are held responsible for any arrangements and expenses incurred for transportation while assigned to clinical experiences.

Student Teaching

Student teachers test ideas, assume responsibility, and develop teaching competencies. All teacher candidates will complete student teaching experiences in their certification area(s). At the beginning of every spring semester, ALL education majors qualified to student teach during the following fall or spring semester must attend a mandatory student teaching application session. SUNY Plattsburgh operates student teaching regions in various geographic areas extending from the Canadian border to Malone, and south to the Glens Falls, Albany, and New York City regions. Clinical experience assignments are limited to these geographic regions. Teacher candidates may be required to relocate to any of these regions, with the exception of New York City. All placements are arranged by the Office of Clinical Practice in Teacher Education. No additional coursework may be taken concurrently with Student Teaching.

Admission to Student Teaching

Education majors must meet certain requirements to qualify for admission to student teaching. These are:

1. Attendance in the spring semester (1 to 2 semesters prior to student teaching) at a mandatory student teaching application session;
2. Completion of the appropriate student teaching application and all other required data forms;
3. Minimum grade of C in ENG 101  ;
4. Completion of all required coursework in general education and area of concentration;
5. Minimum grade of C in all concentration courses;
6. Completion of all required professional education courses (with requisite grades as determined by the degree program) through the semester preceding student teaching;
7. Completion of all required work in the academic specialization by the semester preceding the student teaching;
8. Certification by a physician that the teacher candidate is apparently free from physical and mental conditions which might prevent the teacher candidate from participating in student teaching;
9. Completion of fingerprinting (as deemed necessary by local education agencies and required for certification); and
10. Meets dispositional standards according to Education Unit and degree program specifications.

Final decisions regarding admission to the student teaching are made by the university’s Teacher Education Department Chairs and Co-Directors of Clinical Practice in Teacher Education and upon the recommendation of Education Unit faculty.

NOTE: No other courses can be taken during student teaching.

Child Abuse and Neglect Instruction

Education majors seeking teacher certification must complete a minimum of two clock hours of instruction regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. If this requirement has not been met by completing EDU 321 , EDU 395 , EDU 5110 , EDU 5120  , or an equivalent course at Plattsburgh, teacher candidates should contact their local BOCES for further information. A copy of the BOCES certificate of completion must be forwarded by the teacher candidate to the Director of Certification in Teacher Education and the Registrar’s Office for annotation on the student’s academic record.

School Violence Prevention and Intervention Instruction:

Education majors seeking teaching certification must complete a minimum of two clock hours of instruction in School Violence Prevention and Intervention. Teacher candidates completing EDU 321  ,EDU 395 , EDU 5110  , or EDU 5120   at SUNY Plattsburgh will have met this requirement. All others should call their local BOCES for further information. A copy of the BOCES certificate of completion must be forwarded by the teacher candidate to the Director of Certification in Teacher Education and the Registrar’s Office for annotation on the student’s academic record.

DASA Dignity for All Students Act

All teacher candidates who seek certification in teaching must complete a minimum of six clock hours of instruction regarding the Dignity for All Student Act (DASA) training in Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention. The requirements can be met by the satisfactory completion of EDU 240 , EDU 395 , EDU 5110 , EDU 5120 , or EDS 507 , at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Graduation (Exit) Requirements for All Teacher Education Programs

In order to graduate from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in education, teacher candidates must meet the following graduation (exit) requirements:

1. Completion of all general education, concentration, and professional education course requirements;
2. Minimum overall GPA of 3.0;
3. No undergraduate professional education courses below a C;
4. No graduate education courses below a B;
5. Successful completion of student teaching (Pass grade);
6. Completion of the NYSED modules of substance abuse awareness, child abuse and neglect, DASA, school violence prevention, autism, and intervention instruction;
7. Completion of the NYSED foreign language requirement;
8. Completion of all field-related requirements; and
9. Application for graduation.

NOTE: Failure to complete student teaching prohibits a student from obtaining a degree in education.

Notice of Education Program Changes

Because teacher education certification programs and requirements may change, it is the teacher candidate’s responsibility to be aware of all graduation requirements necessary for certification. Education majors should check with the Teacher Education Department Chairs, consult with the appropriate program leader, attend advising sessions, and make regular appointments with their advisors to select and schedule courses. All certification questions should be directed to the Office of Certification. The Education Unit will comply with any new SUNY or NYSED regulations needed to allow education majors who follow and complete the appropriate programs to be recommended for certification. Every effort will be made to contact education majors about any changes in program requirements, but teacher candidates are ultimately responsible for meeting program requirements.

New York State Teacher Certification

In order to obtain NYS teacher certification, one must successfully complete certification exams; submit fingerprints; accept the TEACH waiver consent on Banner Web account; and apply and pay for NYS teacher certification. Pass rates are available at www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/education/teacherexampassrates.php.

Application for Initial Teacher Certification

United States citizenship is not required for initial certification. However, professional certification is available only to citizens and lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States. Teacher candidates eligible to receive an initial certificate should visit our website for more information.

NYS Teacher Certification Titles

Initial Certificate

• Earned baccalaureate degree
• Complete certification exams
• Lifespan: valid for five years

NOTE: Information regarding Certification Test requirements can be accessed at www.nystce.nesinc.com.

Professional Certificate

• Completed master’s degree
• Three years of school teaching, including mentored first year with three successful evaluations
• Lifespan: renewable every five years, with mandated professional development hours.

Effective September 1, 2009, coursework or training in the Needs of Children with Autism is required for all applicants seeking teaching certificates in all areas of Special Education. For students enrolled in the Special Education graduate programs and the BS/MSED Childhood Special Education programs the courses that provide this content are EDS 424  and EDS 524 .

NOTE: These requirements may change. Be sure to refer to the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website www.nystce.nesinc.com. Other information concerning requirements and amendments to certification are specified in Parts 52.2 and 80 of the current NYS Education Department regulations. 

Professors:
Jamar Pickreign (Ph.D., University of Kansas Main Campus)
Heidi Schnackenberg (Ph.D., Arizona State University at the Tempe Campus; SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities)
Denise Simard (Ph.D., Capella University)
Maureen Squires (Ed.D., SUNY Binghamton)
Yong Yu (Ed.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus; SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching)

Associate Professors:
Mark Beatham (Ed.D. University of Cincinnati)
Michelle Bonati (Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) 
Emily Hoeh (Ph.D. SUNY Buffalo)
Jean Ann Hunt (Ed D., National - Louis University; SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching) 
Alison Puliatte (Ed.D., CUNY Graduate Center; SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching)
Kerri Zappala-Piemme (Ph.D., Syracuse University)

Assistant Professors: 
Christopher Needham (Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Lecturers:
Kathryn Alton (M.Ed., SUNY Geneseo)
Teri Deyo (MA., Western Governors University) 
Amy Gervich (M.S., University of Bridgeport)
Sarah Hackett (M.S., SUNY Plattsburgh)
Megan Lawless (Ed.D., Teachers College at Columbia University) 
Cynthia McCarty (MS., SUNY Plattsburgh)
Michelle Timmons (M.S., SUNY Plattsburgh)

Office of Clinical Practice: 
Rachel Day (M.S., SUNY Plattsburgh)
Amy Gervich
Cynthia McCarty

Programs

• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), B.S.

• Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12), M.S.T. (Online)
• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), M.S.T. (Online)
• Special Education - Birth to Grade 2, M.S.Ed.
• Special Education - Birth to Grade 6, M.S.Ed.
• Special Education - Grades 1-6, M.S.Ed.
• Special Education - Grades 7-12, M.S.Ed.

• School District Leader Graduate Certificate (Online)
• Special Education - Grades 7-12, Graduate Certificate (Online)
• Teacher Leadership Graduate Certificate (Online)

• School Building Leader Certificate of Advanced Study (Online)

• Biology/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• Chemistry/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)/Special Education - Birth to Grade 6, B.S./M.S.Ed.
• Earth Science /Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• English/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• History/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• Mathematics/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• Physics/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.
• Spanish/Adolescence Education, B.A./M.S.T.

• Teaching Assistant Pre-Apprenticeship