Our student teachers have many opportunities to practice their teaching techniques in actual class settings.
What makes your program special?
Lots of things! We have a unique partnership with a school in New York City's Harlem community. Our teacher education students have the opportunity to participate in workshops there, under the direction of College faculty, before their full semester of student teaching. This urban education experience is a highlight of our program and students look forward to it.
Ithaca College is home to the National Science Foundation's COMPASS program (Curricular Options in Mathematics Programs for all Seconday Students.) This program gives our mathematics student teachers cutting edge experience in working with five new curriculum projects supporting the Standards set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Our social studies student teachers participate in the College's Gerontology Program in the Schools project. This unique program offers students the opportunity to learn how to integrate issues of aging into the curriculum as they work to meet New York State curriculum standards.
At the undergraduate level, many of our students spend a semester studying abroad to enrich their education and meet new people. We work carefully with our students to help them plan the best time for their study abroad.
What will my course of studies look like?
In our undergraduate program, you will major in an academic discipline (i.e. English, social studies, biology) and also complete the core education requirements which lead to a full semester of student teaching in your senior year. Our graduate programs are intensive one-year programs: a summer, year, and summer. To apply for these programs you must have an undergraduate degree in an academic discipline.
Will I have opportunities to work in area schools before student teaching?
Yes! In fact, you will spend more than one hundred hours in fieldwork prior to your semester of student teaching. All of these hours are linked to specific courses you take as part of the core education requirements. There are opportunities to work at all levels: elementary, middle, and secondary.
When will the fieldwork begin?
Fieldwork begins with your very first education course, and continues right through to a full semester of student teaching.
How big is the undergraduate teacher education program in Humanities and Sciences?
Our program has about 130 students enrolled. This means lots of individual attention from faculty and small class size in almost every education course. Our largest programs are in English, social studies and mathematics, and we also have small, quality programs in the sciences, modern languages and art.
Do you offer a master's degree in adolescence education?
Yes! Our Master of Arts in Teaching degree (M.A.T.) means that an Ithaca College student is able to attend IC for one additional year and graduate with a master's degree and teacher certification for grades 7-12. It is also possible for those with an undergraduate degree from another institution to apply for admission to our M.A.T. Program. The M.A.T. Program is a one-year program beginning in the summer each year and is under the direction of Dr. Linda Hanrahan, Chair of Graduate Programs in Education. If you would like additional information on this program, please see the Graduate Studies website or contact Dr. Hanrahan.
Do you offer elementary education?
Yes! Ithaca College offers a graduate program in elementary education. You can attend Ithaca College,
major in a subject in any of the humanities or sciences, and then apply to the Master of Science (M.S.)
degree in Childhood Education. You will also be able to start taking some education courses as an
undergraduate. Or, if you have an appropriate undergraduate degree from another college, you can attend
Ithaca College just for the graduate degree in childhood education. Information about this program is
available at the Graduate
Studies website. Dr. Linda Hanrahan is also in charge of this program; you can contact her at lhanrahan@ithaca.edu.
Can I meet some of the students and faculty in your program?
Absolutely. You can make an appointment to visit campus, sit in on classes, meet faculty and students, and discuss the program with Professor Pat Tempesta, Interim Chair, or Professor Linda Hanrahan, Chair of Graduate Programs. Just call 607 274 1375 to set up an appointment. In the meantime, if you have questions, feel free to email Professor Tempesta at Tempesta@ithaca.edu.
