Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009

Undergraduate: Minor

At the undergraduate level, the education minor introduces students to the profession of education and provides them an opportunity to explore education as a career. Additionally, it allows students a head start on the coursework leading to initial teacher certification through the University at Buffalo's graduate program.

At the graduate level, the Graduate School of Education offers Certificates of Advanced Study in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) in the following areas: English, Languages Other Than English (French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish), Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics), and Social Studies, as well as in Music (preK-12). Master of Education degrees are also offered in the above certification areas, as well as in Early Childhood Education (birth-grade 2) with or without the bilingual extension, Childhood Education (grades 1-6) with or without the bilingual extension, English to Speakers of other Languages (preK-12), and Literacy Specialist (birth-grade 6 and grades 5-12).


In addition to the above, many other graduate programs in education are offered by the Graduate School of Education.

For students interested in pursuing initial teacher certification through the University at Buffalo graduate program, the following information will assist in the planning of undergraduate coursework.

Undergraduate Requirements for Those Applying to the University at Buffalo's Graduate Initial Teacher Certification Program

For students interested in pursuing initial teacher certification in adolescence education, English to speakers of other languages, or music education, note the following information regarding undergraduate degree and distribution requirements.

English
A baccalaureate degree in English, which includes at least 30 hours of coursework in English.

English to Speakers of other Languages

A baccalaureate degree in English, a language other than English, linguistics, or a speech-related field, which includes at least 30 hours of coursework in the major.

Languages Other Than English
A baccalaureate degree in an approved foreign language, which includes at least 30 hours of coursework in the foreign language.

Mathematics
A baccalaureate degree in mathematics, which includes at least 30 hours of coursework in mathematics.

In addition, the following mathematics distribution must be met:

• 2 courses in linear and/or abstract algebra
• 2 courses in calculus
• 1 course in geometry

Music
A baccalaureate degree in music performance, which includes at least 30 hours of coursework in music.

In addition, the following music distribution must be met:

Academics/Performance:

• 4 courses in music theory
• 2 courses in music history
• 4 courses in a primary instrument (including voice)
• Public Recital
• Keyboard Proficiency Exam

Secondary Instrument Proficiency:

woodwinds
brasses
percussion
strings

Science
A baccalaureate degree, which includes at least 30 hours of coursework in the intended certificate area (biology, chemistry, Earth science (geology), or physics).

In addition, the following science distribution must be met for each certificate area.

• 3 credits in biology


• 3 credits in chemistry


• 3 credits in Earth science


• 3 credits in physics

Social Studies
A baccalaureate degree in history or one of the social sciences (anthropology, economics, geography, political science, or sociology), which includes at least 21 credits in history or geography and one economics and one political science course.

In addition, the following history/civilization distribution must be met:

• 6 credits in U.S. history


• 6 credits in U.S. civilization


• 6 credits in Western civilization


• 12 credits in world civilization

In addition, the following social science distribution must be met -two courses in each of three social science areas:

• anthropology
• economics
• geography
• political science
• psychology or philosophy*
• sociology

There may be up to 12 credits overlapping between the above distribution groupings.

*Note: Philosophy and psychology may be used to fulfill the social science distribution requirements, but are not acceptable as majors leading to social studies initial teacher certification.


For students interested in pursuing initial teacher certification in early childhood and/or childhood education, note the following information regarding undergraduate degree requirements.

Approved Undergraduate Majors for Initial Teacher Certification

• Anthropology
• Art
• Art History
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Dance
• Economics
• English
• French
• Geography
• Geological Sciences
• German
• History
• Italian
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physics
• Political Science
• Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (Health & Human Services: Early Childhood Concentration Only
• Spanish
• Theater

Admission to all graduate initial teacher certification program curricular options requires applicants to complete the following general education core in liberal arts and sciences (for course examples, refer to the Undergraduate Catalog at http://undergrad-catalog.buffalo.edu/undergraduateeducation/general.shtml).

• Arts/artistic expression (3 credits)


• Humanities (3 credits)


• Writing/English composition (3-6 credits)


• World civilization (6 credits)


• Social and behavioral sciences (3 credits)


• American pluralism or equivalent (3 credits)


• Natural sciences, lab-based biology, chemistry, geology, or physics (6 credits)


• Mathematical processes (3 credits)


• Depth requirement (3 credits)


• Language other than English (2nd semester college course)


• Library skills/information retrieval (online workbook)

Note: Currently, the requirements for the general education core in liberal arts and sciences will have been met as part of successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from the University at Buffalo, with the possible exception of the requirements for natural sciences and language other than English. For natural sciences, coursework must be in lab-based biology, chemistry, geology, or physics. For language other than English, coursework must be a college course at the first year, second semester level.

For questions about graduate programs in education, contact gseinfo@buffalo.edu.

Registration in the education minor 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 Teacher Education Institute (TEI) office in 375 Baldy Hall. Applications must include UB DARS report and/or official transcript. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for admission.