College of Education announces new certification programs

College of Education Dean Christine Givner recently announced that Fredonia is adding new programs to expand teaching certification opportunities for its graduates.

The New York State Department of Education has approved a dual certification program at Fredonia that will prepare students to be certified to teach in both early childhood and elementary school settings. The SUNY Fredonia Early Childhood/Childhood Dual Certification Program was initiated in the spring.

Also initiated last semester was a Certificate of Advanced Study in School District Leadership. This program is open to candidates who have completed the requirements for New York State School Building Leader Certification. The program leads to a recommendation to the New York State Department of Education for professional certification as a School District Leader (SDL). This allows the candidate to assume such roles as superintendent, assistant superintendent, district-wide director, or coordinator.

This fall, Fredonia will fully implement a new Certificate of Advanced Study in the Intensive Teacher Institute to address the shortage of certified bilingual and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) educators in New York State. The ITI assists participants in meeting their bilingual education and ESL certification requirements in general and special education.