Frequently Asked Questions

2. Change of Major Facts

FACT 1:

The College of Education houses both Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood (Grade1-Grade 6) Education programs. All Adolescence Education (Grade 7-Grade 12) programs are housed within the specific academic department.

FACT 2:

The College of Education offers concentrations in Art, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Social Studies, and Spanish. All Early Childhood and Childhood Education majors are required to have a concentration.

FACT 3:

The College of Education also offers a Middle School Extension (Grade 5-Grade 9) in English, French, Mathematics, Social Studies, or Spanish for Childhood Education majors.

FACT 4:

The process of becoming an Early Childhood or Childhood Education major does not happen instantaneously. There is a three-step process that you must pursue as a candidate for admission to The College of Education.

FACT 5:

Students are not permitted to change their major to Early Childhood or Childhood Education during the first semester of enrollment at SUNY Fredonia. A full semester of grades is required for consideration.

FACT 6:

Depending on academic history, students that decide to change their major to Early Childhood or Childhood Education will need to reevaluate their graduation date.

FACT 7:

The College of Education does not offer a certification program in Special/Exceptional Education.

FACT 8:

Active participation in co-curricular programs and activities (such as the Teacher Education Club, Kappa Delta Pi, Professional Development Workshops…) is essential to enhancing your experience at SUNY Fredonia and increasing your marketability in the professional world.

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3. Change of Major Process

REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants are required to have an overall SUNY Fredonia grade point average of at least 2.75 if 24 or more credit hours have been earned. A SUNY Fredonia grade point average of at least 2.50 is required if 23 or fewer credit hours have been earned.

STEP-BY-STEP:

1. INITIAL SCREENING INTERVIEW

If you meet the requirements to apply for a change of major in the College of Education at SUNY Fredonia, you must schedule an initial screening interview with the Coordinator of The Office of Student Services in the College of Education to discuss your interests in the field of Education and evaluate your qualifications.
Please contact:
Pamela Enser, Coordinator
Office of Student Services
College of Education
E259 Thompson Hall
T- (716) 673-4768
E- Pamela.Enser@fredonia.edu (preferred method)

2. RECOMMENDATION

The information that is collected in the initial screening interview will be submitted in the form of a recommendation to the Coordinator of Student Advisement in the College of Education for evaluation and decision.

3. DECISION and NOTIFICATION

The decision to accept a candidate into the College of Education is based on several criteria, including academic record, interest in the field, and availability of the field placements. Candidates will be notified via mail of the status of their application in a timely manner. Please note that the process is not instantaneous.
FINAL DETERMINATION FOR ACCEPTANCE WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER
REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR INITIAL SCREENING INTERVIEW:
Please come to your initial screening interview prepared with:

an unofficial copy of your academic transcript
the determination of your major (Early Childhood or Childhood)
the subject matter that you will be concentrating in

***A copy of your resume (If available) will also be beneficial***
All screening interviews will be held in E259 Thompson Hall and will last approximately 45 minutes.

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6. I already have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in an area other than Education, how can I get certified to teach through SUNY Fredonia?

Individuals that wish to obtain Initial New York State Teacher Certification through SUNY Fredonia are required to pursue the appropriate Bachelor’s Degree that leads to Initial Teacher Certification.

I already have a degree from SUNY Fredonia, and I want to pursue another Bachelor’s Degree (that leads to Initial Teacher Certification in the State of New York). What do I do?

SUNY Fredonia graduates seeking an additional Bachelor’s Degree must take a minimum of 30 semester hours at the university and must successfully complete the requirements of their additional major or program. Contact the Office of Student Affairs (6th Floor Maytum Hall, 716.673.3271) for more information.

I already have a Bachelor’s Degree from another College/University, and I want to pursue another Bachelor’s Degree (that leads to Initial Teacher Certification in the State of New York). What do I do?

New students seeking an additional Bachelor’s Degree must take a minimum of 45 semester hours at SUNY Fredonia and must successfully complete their additional major of program. Contact the Office of Admissions (Fenner House, 716.673.3251) for more information.

What Teacher Certification Programs are offered through SUNY Fredonia?

The College of Education houses both Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood (Grade 1-Grade 6) Education programs. All Adolescence Education (Grade 7-Grade 12) programs are housed within the specific academic department.

Is there a grade point average requirement?

All Teacher Certification Candidates must have a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.75 in all courses required for the second degree in order to participate in methods and student teaching.

What if I withdrew from SUNY Fredonia and I want to come back?

Students who have withdrawn from the University and wish to return to a Teacher Certification Program may obtain an application for readmission/reinstatement from the Office of Student Affairs. Requests are reviewed by the Dean of the College of Education for readmission and by the Vice President for Student Affairs for reinstatement. Students with a cumulative quality point average of less than 2.00 who have been readmitted to the university may return with their original cumulative academic record or with a readmission petition. Under the readmission petition, a new quality point average is established from the time of readmission to graduation.

9. I plan on pursuing my Teacher Certification through BOCES, and I need to take some Education classes. What is the process at SUNY Fredonia?

For more information about obtaining Teacher Certification through BOCES, please contact the Regional Teacher Certification Officer at 1 800 228.1184.
The Office of Life Long Learning (2142 Fenton Hall, 716.673.3177) offers educational opportunities to working adults and non-traditional students who wish to pursue courses on a part-time basis. Space in Education courses is reserved for full-time students who are enrolled in one of our Teacher Certification programs. Therefore, space is limited!