*Graduate Studies Manual*

The preparation of teachers is considered by the faculty to be an all-university responsibility, generally directed by the Department of Educational Studies. The program encompasses liberal studies in education as well as studies and experiences designed to develop teaching effectiveness and professional leadership. The emphasis is on developing the student's ability to relate knowledge and theory to skillful teaching.

Students who wish to enter the program must submit an application to the Department Secretary as soon as possible during their first year at Colgate but no later than November 1st of their Sophomore year.  An overall Colgate GPA of at least 2.5 is required at the time of the application.  Application materials include completed application form available at the Educational Studies Office; a letter of intention by the student; and a letter of recommendation by a Colgate faculty member. Acceptance into a teacher certification program does not guarantee acceptance into the student teaching semester.

Students are tentatively approved for student teaching in the fall of their senior year. Final approval depends on the completion of all prerequisite courses in their program and performance in those courses by the end of the Fall term. A decision is made by the department to approve a candidate for student teaching based on previous academic performance at Colgate as well as the apparent suitability of the candidate for the teaching profession. In addition, the student must submit to the program a letter of recommendation written by an individual who has observed the student in some teaching/learning capacity in a school setting. In general, the following grade point average requirements will apply: For the secondary teaching programs, students should maintain a 2.7 grade point average in education courses, 2.7 in the teaching field, and 2.7 overall. For the elementary teaching program, students will be expected to have a 2.7 grade point average in education courses and a 2.7 overall.

In addition, although the department will make every effort to accommodate all students who wish to teach, the size of the department and its geographic location limit the number of students who can be served in any one year. If more students apply for student teaching than the program and the local schools can handle, admission will be determined on a competitive basis.

Candidates for teacher certification in New York must pass competency examinations prepared by the State Education Department (for comparative data from Colgate and other teacher education programs within New York State see http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/respublic/heir.htm
 Certification is available to U.S. citizens and to non-citizens who have completed a letter of intent to become a U.S. citizen.

Articles:
"Colgate's Student Teachers Make a Difference, One Student at a Time", The Colgate Maroon-News, February 2004