Teacher Education
Graduate School of Education
375 Baldy Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716.645.2461
Fax: 716.645.3631
Web: www.gse.buffalo.edu/DC/TEI
Julius Gregg Adams
Associate Dean for Teacher Education
David Cantaffa
Interim Assistant Director
Judi Roberson
Coordinator of Field Experiences
Retta Maclin
Staff Associate
About the Department
Note: Because New York State education requirements may change, program requirements may be altered according to state specifications. Therefore, students should check with the Teacher Education Institute for explanation of program and certification requirements.
The Graduate School of Education (GSE) is committed to providing teacher education at the post-baccalaureate level. The Teacher Education Institute (TEI) is the branch of GSE responsible for the field experiences and student teaching required for New York State initial certification in early childhood, childhood, miulle childhood and adolescence education. Beyond providing professional knowledge and instructional strategies essential to teaching, TEI collaborates with local school districts and teachers to prepare students to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners who strive to self-reflect, evaluate, and improve their teaching. In aulition, the TEI program seeks to prepare teachers who can work effectively with students with a wide variety of abilities and needs, and students from various cultures.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: Minor
About Our Degrees
The Teacher Education Institute does not offer a program leading to a bachelor's degree; however, the undergraduate minor in Education provides early entrance to the certification path for students interested in education related fields.
At the graduate level, TEI offers Certificates of Advanced Study in Initial Certification for Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) in the following areas: English, Languages Other Than English (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish), Mathematics, Music, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics), and Social Studies.
In aulition, many other graduate programs in education are offered by the Graduate School of Education.
Acceptance Criteria
Registration in the teacher education program is open to students who formally apply to the minor and who receive confirmation of acceptance prior to registration. Applications to the minor must be filed with the TEI office in 375 Baldy Hall, and applications must include official transcripts from every institution attended. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for admission.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Courses
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Extracurricular Activities
See the UB Student Association.
Advising Information
For students interested in pursuing teacher certification in our graduate teacher certification programs, the following information will assist in the planning of undergraduate coursework.
Undergraduate Requirements for Those Applying to Graduate Certification Programs
Please note that the following courses are required for admission to our graduate programs in education, but they do not culminate in an undergraduate degree.
Adolescence, Grades 7–12
All students must complete a baccalaureate degree with a minimum 30 credit hour major appropriate to the certification field, obtain at least a 3.0 grade point average, and complete an approved liberal arts and sciences distribution.
Teaching of English
Approved Major: English
Teaching of Languages Other Than English
Approved Majors: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish
Special Requirements: It is expected that students participate in an academic program abroad prior to the student teaching experience. In aulition, students should take courses in culture and civilization, advanced grammar, and applied linguistics within their language specialty.
Teaching of Mathematics
Approved Major: Mathematics
Special Requirements: Two approved courses in calculus, two approved courses in algebra, an approved course in geometry, and an approved course in science (with a lab).
Teaching of Music
Approved Major: Music Performance
Special Requirements: Four semesters of music theory, two semesters of music history, two semesters of conducting (or equivalent professional experience), four semesters plus public recital in primary performing medium, basic keyboarding, courses in secondary instruments, and singing.
Teaching of Science
Approved Majors: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science (Geology), and Physics
Special Requirements: 30 credit hours in the area of certification plus 3 credit hours (with a lab) in each of the other three content areas.
Note: All science programs lead to certification to teach in the subject area of the student’s major and in general science. Certification to teach in an aulitional science subject requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in that science.
Teaching of Social Studies
Approved Majors: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science (Note: Students majoring in African American studies or American studies may be accepted into this program if a program advisor from the Department of Learning and Instruction approves their coursework.)
Special Requirements: Students must have 21 credit hours in history and/or geography, and at least one class in economics and one class in political science. Aulitional requirements include 12 credit hours in U.S. civilization (at least 6 of which are in U.S. history), 6 credit hours in Western civilization, and 12 credit hours in world civilization. Also required are two courses in social science areas (anthropology, economics, geography, philosophy or psychology, political science, and sociology). Up to 12 credit hours of these may also fulfill any of the above requirements in U.S., Western, or world civilizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will I be certified when I complete this minor?
No, the minor in Education is not a certification program.
2. When and where do I do my student teaching?
As the minor in Education is not a certification program, student teaching is not part of this minor. Student teaching is done as part of the graduate level initial teacher certification program after successful completion of required coursework. Students in the initial teacher certification program do their student teaching throughout the Buffalo-Niagara region at sites assigned by the Teacher Education Institute.
3. Can this minor be useful if I do not choose to become a teacher?
Yes, this minor is appropriate for anyone interested in the field of teaching or fields related to teaching.
4. Why should I declare a minor?
The minor in Education affords access to classes offered only to those who have declared the minor.
5. Can I include undergraduate courses in my Master’s degree program?
Although certain undergraduate courses may apply to an initial teaching certificate, undergraduate courses cannot apply to a graduate Master’s degree.
6. Does the Introduction to Education course (LAI 350) allow me automatic entrance into the minor?
No, students must apply and be accepted to the minor.
For questions about graduate programs in education, contact gseinfo@buffalo.edu.
Career Information
For those who pursue a degree in education and/or teacher certification, the following career choices might be applicable.
- Coordinator, Skill Training Program - in government
- Counselor - in schools, colleges, rehab agencies, job placement services, and veterans hospitals
- Editorial Assistant - for children's book publishers and children's magazines
- Equal Opportunity Representative - in government, large firms, and institutions
- Evaluator - in government and non profit agencies
- Librarian - in schools, public library systems, and colleges
- Management Trainee - in business and industry
- Media Specialist - in schools
- Public Relations Representative - in corporations, public relations firms, manufacturers, museums, educational institutions, health and human services organizations, professional associations, and insurance companies
- Purchasing Agent - in school systems
- Reader/Story Analyst
- Recreation Leader - in housing projects, community centers, recreation departments, resorts, and camps
- Research Worker/Associate/Assistant - in museums, zoos, botanical gardens, government, and colleges
- Sales - in private or correspondence schools, publishers, suppliers of communication/broadcasting equipment, manufacturers/distributors of play equipment, and industrial psychology firms
- Supervisor, Volunteer Services
- Teacher/Trainer - in schools, museums, social service agencies, job corps, community centers, industrial plants, government, and zoos
- Toy Department Manager - in toy and department stores
- Writer - for children's book publishers and children's magazines