<p>I am currently a freshman attending Binghamton University. I am undeclared and wish to pursue a degree in either education (either elementary or secondary). However, I realized that Binghamton does not offer an undergraduate degree in education. I was wondering what I should do..do I transfer schools or not?</p>
<p>Should I pursue a major in english and minor in education? I am very confused with this whole thing. Please help me out.</p>
<p>If you want to start teaching with a undergraduate degree, you need to transfer out as you will not get initial certification as an undergraduate with just an education minor.</p>
<p>You will need to attend graduate school right after graduation to get your certification. Some programs can be done in 1 year if you go over summer breaks.</p>
<p>So would I be okay if I majored in English, minored in education and attend a graduate school for my certificate?</p>
<p>I know in order to become a secondary education teacher, you need to major a specific liberal arts first.</p>
<p>You absolutely have to confirm this, but if you get your graduate degree in education, you will be able to teach both secondary English and whatever you get your masters in (ie, elementary ed or special ed) as long as you pass the necessary certification tests in each area.</p>
<p>[Binghamton</a> University - Academics: Schools and Colleges: Graduate School of Education: Our Programs:Home](<a href=“Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Binghamton University”>Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Binghamton University)</p>
<p>They offer 5-year MAT programs in English and Elementary Ed, from what I found. You need a Master’s Degree anyway, so this is the best way to go, especially with the current climate in education jobs. I did my 5-year MAT at Stony Brook.</p>
<p>Thank you so much. You’ve helped so much.
Another question is, if I want to teach in New Jersey, would I need to attend a school in New Jersey for my masters/teaching certificate? Or can I attend a school in New York?</p>
<p>What would my other option be if I decide not to do the MAT program?</p>
<p>im sorry, let me clarify a bit. The MAT program offered at Binghamton is meant for those who wish to pursue teaching grades 7-12; not for those who wish to teach elementary. In that case, what would my options be?</p>
<p>[Binghamton</a> University - Academics: Schools and Colleges: Graduate School of Education: Our Programs: Masters Programs: Childhood Education](<a href=“Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Binghamton University”>Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership | Binghamton University)</p>
<p>This is the Elementary Master’s Program, no?</p>
<p>As for teaching in NJ, no, you do not need to attend school in NJ. Many states have reciprocal arrangements. Check out the NJ Dept of Education website for more info.</p>
<p>[Licensure</a> & Credentials - What are the Steps to the Application Process for New Jersey Certification?](<a href=“http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/process/]Licensure”>http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/process/)</p>
<p>and NY’s TEACH website:</p>
<p>[Certification</a> from Start to Finish:Certification:OTI:NYSED](<a href=“OTI : NYSED”>Completing coursework to satisfy unmet requirements:Certification from Start to Finish:Certification:OTI:NYSED)</p>
<p>The 5 year MAT program is a graduate program and it’s just one option. As I said earlier, there are other options given at different schools that would allow you to get your graduate degree and certification in one or two years. </p>
<p>You need to define your goal. What grades and subject do you want to teach? Are you looking to be an English secondary school teacher? An elementary classroom teacher? A literacy teacher? A special ed teacher?</p>
<p>All of these choices would require different graduate degrees and certifications and the time frame may vary. Based on what you chose you may even be able to get dual certification.</p>
<p>Two things that are important to think about for right now: if you want to teach right after graduation from a 4 year program with a BA, you would need to transfer schools because the only option you have if you continue at Bing is to teach after a graduate degree in education.</p>
<p>The other thing is that you really don’t need to have a minor in education since you need to get a graduate degree in education anyway. Having a minor in education is not a pre-requisite.</p>
<p>Also, requirements to teach for NY and NJ are different. You need to decide what state you need certification for and what that requirement is.</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a senior at Binghamton who thought she wanted to do elementary education for a while (now doing 7-12) so I know what I’m talking about. You certainly can stay at Binghamton but you’ll just have to go to grad school afterwards. Many, if not most teachers have a Master’s–some states require them–so this isn’t a huge detriment or anything.</p>
<p>Elementary education grad programs have certain pre-reqs, though. Generally, you’ll need to take two classes each in English, History, Math, and the sciences. APs usually count. If you’re serious about this path, definitely fit these classes in. Your major can be virtually any liberal arts degree.</p>
<p>What you really need to do though is talk to Tami Mann. She’s the expert at Binghamton on education degrees and careers. She’s very sweet and she’ll literally tell you exactly what you need to do in order to be an elementary school teacher. Her office is in the School of Education building (Academic B) or you can email her at <a href=“mailto:tmann@binghamton.edu”>tmann@binghamton.edu</a>.</p>
<p>Also, several times a semester they offer a program called either “So you want to be a teacher?” or “Liberal arts to Education” or something like that. Look for it in B-Line, it’ll be very helpful.</p>
<p>Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions.</p>