Adolescent Education in Biology (7-12) FAQ

1. What classes are organized by upper and lower required education division classes for Biology?

LOWER DIVISION	UPPER DIVISION
EDU 203	EDU 336
EDU 237/EDU 237L	NSC 306
CMP 101	EDU 402
PSY 103	STUDENT TEACHING
SED 270	EDU 327
PSY 214
NCS 231
EDU 314
SOC 243
EDU 313

2. How do I apply for upper division in education?

If you are an Adolescent Education in Biology (7-12) (7-12) FAQ major, you will apply for upper division in your second semester, sophomore year, if the following have been taken and met:

In order to be admitted to upper division (and allowed to take upper division education courses), the following must be accomplished:

An overall quality point average of 2.75 or better for all completed college courses.
A quality point average of 2.75 or better in all education courses (SED & EDU prefixes).
A grade of “C” or better in EDU 203 Learning Theory.
A grade of “B” or better in EDU 237 Instructional Design.
A grade of "C" or better in SED 270 Introduction to the Nature & Educational Needs of Students with Disabilities.

Graded papers from each class must also be submitted:

The research paper from EDU 203 with instructor’s comments and grade earned.
The research paper from SED 270 with instructor’s comments and grade earned.
The instructional unit for EDU 237 with instructor’s comments and grade earned.
You must compile and submit on-line an upper division teaching portfolio for review by education department during spring semester of your sophomore year.

This will also include:

An emergent professional resume, must include original resume with feedback from Career Services and revisions.
An emergent comprehensive development plan.
An emergent dispositional self-assessment.
A dispositional interview.

3. Once I have applied for admission to upper-division in the Biology major and been accepted, does that mean I am automatically admitted into education upper division?

No. The Biology department’s requirements and most of your science requirements to complete your degree are different from education requirements. While you are learning the core classes in the Biology department for your future teaching science from 7^th-12^th grade, almost all of your pedagogy classes will be housed and required by the education department; see the Coordinator of Adolescent Education Programs with any questions.

4. What tests do I need to take, and pass, in order to secure my certification?

Educating All Students Test (EAS)
Content Specialty Test (CST) - Biology
edTPA - Secondary Science

5. When should I take the required teacher examinations?

Educating All Students Test (EAS): Sophomore/Junior Year
Content Specialty Test (CST) – Biology: Senior Year
edTPA - Secondary Science: Senior Year (During Student Teaching)

6. What ways are there to prepare for the New York State Teacher Examinations?

Also, from time to time, we hear of special preparation classes. If you know of any, let one of the faculty members know and we will send an email to all education students via the list-serve.

7. I understand that if I take, and fail, any of the required certification examinations, that NYSED has developed safety nets. Where can I find this information?

Please visit the NYSED

8. What year do I student teach?

Technically, student teaching is your “capstone” exercise for completing your degree and will propel you to begin your professional teaching career, graduate school or both; thus, student teaching is completed in your senior year. Some students teach in the fall semester, some in the spring. Speak to your advisor and/or the Coordinator of Adolescent Education Programs about this when the time comes.

9. Can I request where and/or with whom I’d like to be placed to student teach?

When you apply to student teach, on the application there is a section asking for the name and contact information for someone you are requesting to student teach with. We try to honor this, but sometimes this may not work out. But we do our best!

10. How do I apply for my teaching certification?

You will need to set up your own TEACH account.

11. Which pathway do I need to follow in order to apply for my teaching credential?

Pathway: Approved Teacher Preparation Program 05/01/2014

This pathway refers to programs specifically designed and registered with the New York State Education Department to qualify students for New York State teacher, pupil personnel, or administrative certification. Specified non-coursework requirements, such as the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and fingerprint clearance, must also be satisfied.

12. What do I need to do to get recommended for my certificate?

You need to finish your bachelor’s degree in Biology adolescent education (7-12). You also need to complete the following NYS workshops: Project SAVE, child abuse training, Dignity for All Students (DASA). Contact the Certification Officer--Amherst Education Programs to address any questions in regard to being recommended.

13. What is a “bachelor’s cert code” and what is it used for?

The bachelor’s cert code is needed when you apply for your certification through your TEACH account. When you actually do apply, the TEACH system will ask you what you are applying for.

Here is what you will need when you do that:

Area of Interest: Classroom Teacher

Subject Area: Biology

Grade Level: Adolescent – Grades 7-12

Title: Biology 7-12

Type of Certificate: Initial Certificate

Institution Code: �� College

Award Title: Bachelors of Science

Program Code: 24060

14. How do I go about getting fingerprinted?

15. How do I get information about Project SAVE?

16. How do I get information about the DASA and child abuse training?

Both workshops can be accomplished there.

17. Does �� offer a master’s degree in Biology?

Currently, we do not.

18. How do I apply to get a certification extension?

Keep in mind at ��, we are concerned with you finishing your degree and getting your certification based on your major. Any extension(s) would be between NYSED and you.

NYSED recommends the following:

Go to the Office of Teaching web site: .
Once there, click on Topics A-Z.
Then, scroll down to Certificate Requirements.
Then select your area of interest, etc. and click the search button. You need to look for the pathway called Additional Classroom Teaching Certificate
- Must Hold a Valid Certificate.

Under that, you will see all the requirements for an additional certificate. Then click on each requirement for more information and explanation of coursework.

You apply for the additional certificate through TEACH, but you would not use a program code.

You have to send official transcripts either to your local BOCES (the one closest to where you live) or to NYSED after you apply for your additional certificate(s), depending on who you designate as the evaluator when you apply in TEACH.

Adolescent Education in Biology (7-12) FAQ

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