Staten Island, Manhattan and
Queens Campuses
Why should I consider a career in
teaching?
Even in today’s highly uncertain job market, there has
rarely been a better time to consider a career in Education.
Teaching opportunities abound, many of which command a starting
salary upwards of $40,000 per year. It is a rewarding
profession, one of immense personal satisfaction that enables an
individual to make a difference in the world today.
Yet, a teaching career is not for everyone. Before pursuing this
field, you should consider the many challenges involved and reflect
upon whether you have what it takes to be successful. Speaking with
friends or relatives who are in the profession, visiting school
settings and sitting down with college faculty are among the ways
one can gain an understanding of the risks and rewards of becoming
a teacher.
What if I do not have a background in
Education?
The courses The School of Education is offering are part of a
program specifically designed for individuals who were not
Education majors in college, but now want to become certified
teachers. This includes recent college graduates who majored
in areas outside of Education, individuals who have pursued other
careers and are ready for a change, and persons working without
credentials in private or parochial schools who now want to advance
in the field. This 42-credit Master’s program satisfies the
Education requirements for teaching credentials.
The New York State Education Department also requires
individuals to have a number of Liberal Arts and Content Area
courses to become certified as teachers. Upon applying to the
program, the University will conduct a transcript review of all
previous coursework to determine if a student has any deficiencies
that need to be made up prior to becoming certified. These
may be in addition to the Master’s requirements.
What kind of teacher can I
become?
The University offers accelerated Career Change Programs in Early
Childhood, Childhood or Adolescent Education (Biology, English,
Mathematics, Social Studies and Spanish) with two new dual
certification opportunities available in Childhood/Special
Education and Childhood/TESOL. The Career Change Master’s
degrees are offered on the Queens campus with the Childhood and
Childhood/Special Education available on Staten Island as
well. Many of the Adolescent classes can also be completed on
Staten Island. Courses in Childhood Education and Adolescent
Education are now accessible on the University’s newest campus in
lower Manhattan.
How long will it take?
You can proceed through the program at your own pace on both the
Queens and Staten Island campuses. It does, however, provide
a fast track into the teaching profession. By attending
part-time, in the evenings, one could qualify for “internship
certification,” in as little as one year making you eligible to
teach in a New York school as a full-salaried employee. Students
with University identified deficiencies may need additional courses
or the equivalent prior to interning. The University will
endorse you for “internship certification” upon completion of 7
courses (21 credits), successfully passing the New York State
teaching examinations and meeting Department of Education
requirements for initial teacher certification. All students
would then be expected to complete a 42-credit Master’s degree to
qualify for initial teacher certification.
How is the Manhattan program different
than programs in Queens and Staten Island?
Students in Manhattan take courses as a cohort, meaning they
are expected to take their classes together completing all
coursework towards the degree within 2 years. At present there are
two existing cohorts of students who attend classes generally one
night per week with select additional classes offered
on-line. Two additional cohorts are expected to begin in the
fall of 2005.
Why must I complete the Master’s degree if
I am already “internship certified?”
Students who qualify for “internship certification” can seek
employment as teachers while they complete their Master’s degree or
may choose to do so towards the end of the program of study.
Teachers can work under “internship certification” for only two
years, after which time they must have completed a Master’s degree
to be endorsed for initial teacher certification. With a Master’s
degree and two years of teaching experience they should be in a
position to apply for “professional teacher
certification.”
Professional teacher certification qualifies you to continue
teaching under current New York State regulations and is recognized
by most states as the credential that can qualify you to teach
outside of New York.
Do I need to student teach?
A supervised student teaching experience can substitute for
interning, but it is not required. Student teachers are
assigned to schools where they work with a cooperating teacher on a
daily basis with no remuneration. Interns are hired to work
in the schools as full-salaried teachers and are mentored by
University faculty.
Is there anything I can do to prepare for
this career move?
Aside from investigating the teaching profession, networking with
friends who are teachers and visiting school settings, you are
encouraged to get an early start on preparing for the New York
State Teacher Certification Examinations. One of the exams,
the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), can be taken even before
entering the program. (contact: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/).
Do I need to give up my current job to
enter this program?
Most students remain employed in their current positions
while enrolled in this program. Students eligible for “internship
certification” have the option of seeking a full-time paid teaching
position half-way through the program or can decide to do so
towards the end of the program. Internship or student
teaching is a requirement for the degree.
What are the requirements for entering the
program?
As a college graduate with a grade point average of 3.0 or better
you should be eligible to enroll in the Master’s degree program in
Childhood Education. Additional coursework may be required for
students lacking the Liberal Arts background to meet New York State
teacher certification requirements. Information on financial aid
and scholarships can be secured in The School of Education
office.
What is the cost of the classes?
For updated information on tuition, please go to www.stjohns.edu/admission/tuition.sju.
How do I apply?
Students should complete the application, which was enclosed in
this response package, or complete an on-line application.
For further information or an application contact:
Steven S. Kuntz, Ph.D.
Staten Island campus
(718) 390-4506
gradedstatenisland@stjohns.edu
Kelly K. Ronayne, D.A.
Queens campus
(718) 990-2304
graded@stjohns.edu
Marissa J. Weinstein
Manhattan campus
Phone: (212) 277-5122
Fax: (212) 277 5109
weinstm1@stjohns.edu
Open Houses and Individual
Appointments
Open Houses are scheduled
throughout the year on each of our campuses. For a schedule
of dates for upcoming open houses, kindly contact the
aforementioned individuals on the Staten Island, Queens and
Manhattan campuses. Individual appointments with faculty can
also be arranged through these parties.