Division of Teacher Education
David W. Basinger, Chair
Roberts Wesleyan College offers programs leading to New York State Teacher Certification and fulfills the terms of the Interstate Agreement on Qualification of Educational Personnel.
To speak with a representative in the Division of Teacher Education, call 585.594.6610.
Admission to Teacher Education Programs
Students apply for admission to the Early Childhood and Students with Disabilities programs, the Childhood and Special Education programs, the Adolescence Education programs, or the Physical Education program during the spring of the freshman year. Students in the Music or Art Education programs apply for admission during the fall of the sophomore year. All Education students must be formally admitted to Stage One of the Teacher Education Program and approved at Stage Two in order to student teach. Progress toward the degree and readiness to student teach will also be appraised between admission to the program and acceptance for student teaching. Students should refer to the progress chart below and contact the Undergraduate Teacher Education Office at 585.594.6448 for detailed admission requirements.
Stage One | Admission to the Teacher Education Program | Student applies for admission after successfully completing a minimum of two Teacher Education Division courses. |
| Stage Two | Progress Review | Student's progress is formally reviewed after successful completion of a minimum of four Teacher Education Division courses. |
| Stage Three | Application to Student Teach | Student applies to student teach when they have been formally accepted at both Stages One and Two, maintained a minimum 2.70 GPA and when all prerequisites have been met, but no later than January 15 before a fall placement and no later than September 1 before a spring placement. |
| Stage Four | Student Teaching Appraisal | Student's progress is formally reviewed at the end of student teaching. Student receives a grade of pass or fail. |
| Stage Five | Application for Degree | Student submits "Application for Degree" form to be signed by Teacher Education advisor/advocate during the final semester of the program. |
Field Experience
Student fieldwork in area classrooms, Observation/Participation Experiences (OPE), begins during the first year of a student’s program. Students are responsible for transportation to most of the OPE sites. The Early Childhood/Students with Disabilities dual certification program, the Childhood/Special Education dual certification program, and the Adolescence Education program all require 150 hours of OPE. The Physical Education (K-12) program requires 120 hours of OPE. The Art Education (K-12) program requires 100 hours of OPE. The Music Education (K-12) program requires 100 hours of OPE. Students must satisfactorily complete all required OPE experiences prior to student teaching.
Student Teaching
Education students, guided by a master teacher and college supervisor, will spend one semester in area schools for their student teaching experience. Students will be responsible for transportation to their student teaching placements. The deadline for student teaching applications is one full semester prior to the student teaching semester:
- January 15 – in order to student teach the following fall semester
- September 1 – in order to student teach the following spring semester
- Prerequisites for applying to student teach:
- Successful completion of all Observation Participation Experience (OPE) hours.
- Formal Admission (Stages One and Two) to the Teacher Education Division.
- All EDU courses completed and required grade for each EDU course attained.
- Must have a minimum of 2.70 grade point average.
Double Majors within the Division
Double majors within the Teacher Education Division are not allowed. However, in some cases, Adolescence Education majors may be allowed to earn a second major in their content discipline. Students should refer to the Division of their discipline to determine whether this is allowed.