School of Education

Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education: Thomas Lappas, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of School of Education: Shanna Jamanis, Ph.D.
Chair: Meg Callahan-Steckley, Ph.D.

Professors: Bailey Jones, Ph.D., Callahan-Steckley, Ph.D., Cheng, Ph.D., Dunn, Ed.D., Hutchinson-Anderson, Ph.D., L. Jones, Ph.D., Jamanis, Ph.D., McPhail, Ph.D., Sommers, Ph.D., and Tell, Ph.D. Associate Professor: Song, Ph.D.; Assistant Professors: Merliss, Ph.D., Moïse, Ph.D., and Radigan, Ph.D.

The School of Education offers graduate programs at the Initial and Additional/Professional Certification levels and extends preparation at the graduate level in selected fields of teacher education. The teacher preparation programs offered at Nazareth University are tied to New York State teacher certification areas. School of Education programs are innovative and dynamic. Program curricula are determined by internal and external standards, and are presented in a carefully designed sequence allowing for cross-course and cross-program connections. Program faculty members are committed to preparing all teachers to work with diverse groups of students.

The overarching mission of the School of Education is to prepare teachers who are educated in the liberal arts and committed to a life guided by intellectual, moral, and ethical values. To carry out its mission, the School of Education and related education programs at Nazareth University make the following claims:

Teachers prepared in any Education program at Nazareth University demonstrate the following student learning outcomes:

Content knowledge relevant to the credential sought
Pedagogical knowledge relevant to the credential sought
Knowledge of the impact of language acquisition and literacy development on learning
Knowledge of learners, learner development, and learning theory, including social, emotional, and academic dimensions
Knowledge of culturally responsive-sustaining practice, including respecting and honoring the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, class, ability, gender identity and expression, sexual identity
Knowledge of the impact of systemic and institutional power and privilege on educational systems and classroom experiences
Ability to create and develop supportive and engaging learning environments
Knowledge of assessment of and for student learning, assessment and data literacy, and an ability to use data to inform practice
Meaningful and professional use of technology
Communication and collaboration with families/guardians/caregivers and communities
Collaboration with colleagues and school personnel to support student success and professional learning
Meaningful reflection and professional learning, including an examination of identity and positionality
Professional behaviors required for successful professional practice

Requirements for New York Initial or Additional Teacher Certification
All teacher candidates must successfully complete their graduate program and meet the requirements for New York State initial or additional teacher certification, including taking and passing applicable teacher certification exams. Please refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the graduate catalog for more information.

Applicable teacher certification exams may be:

Educating All Students Test (EAS)
Applicable Content Specialty Test(s) (CST)
Nazareth Student Teaching Assessment and Reflection (NSTAR)

See www.naz.edu/education/teacher-certification for details and suggested timelines for these exams. Other required exams depend on the program being completed (e.g., CST: Students with Disabilities).

Teacher candidates use the New York State TEACH system to apply for Initial certification(s) and need to pay the fees in effect at the time they apply. New York requires all teacher candidates to have a fingerprint/background check on file with TEACH and pass all appropriate New York State Teacher Certification Examinations www.nystce.nesinc.com. New York State Education Department maintains a website with certification requirements: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/.

During a teacher candidate’s final semester, information on the certification application process will be sent via email. Additional support may be obtained by contacting Nazareth University Teacher Certification Office at (585) 389-2051 or by email tcert@naz.edu, or go.naz.edu/cert.