We are glad that you are interested in declaring a major in Adolescent Education, Childhood and Special Education, or Early Childhood/Childhood Education! The first step in pursuing one of the teacher education majors is to determine if you are eligible. Please check the eligibility requirements below:
I. Criteria for Students Admitted as Freshman to UAlbany
I. Criteria for Students Admitted as Freshman to UAlbany
• The student must have completed at least 24 credits (sophomore status)
• The student’s cumulative grade point average for all coursework at UAlbany must be 3.00 or higher at the time of evaluation
• The student will submit a written essay
If qualified applications exceed the number of available spaces, the following criteria will be used sequentially to select students to the program:
• Overall GPA
• Essay score
II. Criteria for Transfer Students
II. Criteria for Transfer Students
• To declare the major, transfer students need to meet the admission criteria specified in section I (the 3.0 GPA requirement will be based on work at all institutions) and submit the request to declare the major after admission to the University.
• Transfer students who plan to major in Adolescent Education, Childhood and Special Education, or Early Childhood/Childhood Education but have not completed the admission criteria specified in section I, may declare their intention to major in one of the three areas. However, students must fulfill the criteria specified in section I before official request to declare the major.
If you meet the eligibility requirements above, you can apply! Your next step is to submit answers to the questions below by the following deadlines:
Fall: May 1
Spring: October 15
Materials received by the deadline will be reviewed after the deadline. Students will be notified of a decision after current semester grades become available as part of the review process.
Adolescent Education
Adolescent Education
The following essay questions are an important component of the review process. The committee will use your responses to assess your goals, quality of writing, and potential for success in the teacher preparation program. Please address the following prompts in no more than 2000 words total, with a minimum of 300 words per question and number each response appropriately.
1. Tell us about your experiences with children and/or adolescents and how your experiences might apply to teaching; for example, experiences with children in school, camp, or sports activities.
2. Write about why you want to be a teacher.
3. Why are you interested in studying Adolescent Education?
4. Describe a significant learning experience you had in an educational context or an educational role model that shaped your learning experience.
Childhood and Special Education
Childhood and Special Education
The following essay questions are an important component of the review process. The committee will use your responses to assess your goals, quality of writing, and potential for success in the teacher preparation program. Please address the following prompts in no more than 2000 words total, with a minimum of 300 words per question and number each response appropriately.
1. Tell us about your experiences with children and/or adolescents and how your experiences might apply to teaching; for example, experiences with children in school, camp, or sports activities.
2. Write about why you want to be a teacher.
3. Why are you interested in studying Childhood and Special Education?
4. Describe a significant learning experience you had in an educational context or an educational role model that shaped your learning experience.
Early Childhood/Childhood Education
Early Childhood/Childhood Education
The following essay questions are an important component of the review process. The committee will use your responses to assess your goals, quality of writing, and potential for success in the teacher preparation program. Please address the following prompts in no more than 2000 words total, with a minimum of 300 words per question and number each response appropriately.
1. Tell us about your experiences with children and/or adolescents and how your experiences might apply to teaching; for example, experiences with children in school, camp, or sports activities.
2. Write about why you want to be a teacher.
3. Why are you interested in studying Early Childhood and Childhood Education?
4. Describe a significant learning experience you had in an educational context or an educational role model that shaped your learning experience.
When you are ready, please submit your essay responses via the Declare a Major request form. The committee will begin their review after the deadline and you will be emailed with a decision once semester grades have been posted.
Once formally enrolled in a teacher education major, students must maintain a 2.85 cumulative GPA to remain in the major.
Appeals: Unsuccessful requests to declare a teacher education major may appeal if there are extenuating circumstances. Contact the School of Education Dean's Office ([email protected]) for more information about the process.