UNDERGRADUATE FAQ
Below are the most common questions that undergraduate students ask. If the questions or concerns that you have are not covered below, please contact the School's Undergraduate Advisor at soeadvisor@uamail.albany.edu.
Q1: I am interested in doing a Community Service Project through EDU390. What sites can I do it at, and how do I get a Permission Number to register?
A: Please visit the EDU 390 website to get the latest information and requirements about EDU 390, community service course.
Q2: I am interested in Majoring in Education, how can I do that at UAlbany?
A: Currently, Albany does not have an Undergraduate Major in Education, and all of the Education programs are at the Graduate level. At the Undergraduate level there is an Educational Studies Minor, which is meant to supplement any Major for students who plan to go into various areas of Education. Info about the Minor is here.
Q3: Does the Educational Studies Minor lead to certification or satisfy requirements for Graduate School acceptance?
A: No. The Educational Studies Minor does not prepare students for initial certification, nor guarantee acceptance into a Graduate program. It is intended to be a supplemental course of study for those interested in entering various areas of Education.
Q4: How do I go about declaring the Educational Studies Minor?
A: You can declare the Educational Studies Minor through your MyUAlbany account. Simply go to “View or Change Major/Minor” and select “GES—general education studies.”
Q5: I am interested in becoming a Teacher. Can I do that if I have not Majored in Education at the Undergraduate level?
A: Yes. The New York State Teacher Certification regulations have recently changed, and to become a teacher it is now necessary to have a Bachelor's degree in the subject area you plan to teach, and then enter a Masters Program that certifies teachers.
For more information about NYS certification requirements, go here:
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ OR http://www.albany.edu/graduate/teachercert.shtml
OR the School of Education's Pathways Into Education Center, ED 127:
http://www.albany.edu/education/pie_center.html
Q6: Since UAlbany does not have an Undergraduate Major in Education, can I get Teacher Certification through UAlbany?
A: Yes. In order to be certified, you can complete a Bachelor's degree at UAlbany, fulfilling the requirements necessary to prepare you for whichever teaching program you think you'll pursue, and including the Educational Studies Minor if you'd like, and then enter a Master's Program that certifies teachers. UAlbany has initial certification programs in 2 areas: Secondary Education, and Special Education/ Literacy/Elementary Education program. For more info on those go here: Certificate Programs.
Q7: I want to transfer to UAlbany to complete my Bachelors degree, and then go on to be a teacher. What classes do I need to take?
A: Without knowing what you've already taken, it is hard to say specifically what classes you would need, but basically you need to fulfill the NYS General Education requirements, two semesters of a foreign language, and whatever courses you need to complete a Bachelors degree in the subject area you wish to teach. We recommend the Educational Studies Minor as well, although it is NOT necessary. Then, upon completion of the Bachelors degree, you would enter a Masters program to become certified in the area you are interested in.
Q8: I work full time and have a family. Are there classes that would fit my schedule?
A: Yes. UAlbany offers many courses in the evenings, at the Undergraduate and Graduate levels, to accommodate students' various schedules. Course listings can be found at http://www.albany.edu/schedule_of_classes/.
