Nazareth College’s academic strengths cross an unusually broad spectrum of 60 majors, including education, health and human services, management, the fine arts, music, theater, math and science, foreign languages, and the liberal arts. The coeducational, religiously independent, classic campus in a charming suburb of Rochester, N.Y., challenges and supports 2,300 undergrads and 700 graduate students. Nazareth is recognized nationally for its Fulbright global student scholars and commitment to civic engagement. Rigorous programs, an uncommon arts and sciences core, experiential learning, career skills, and a global focus prepare graduates for not just one job, but for their life’s work.

The School of Education offers undergraduate programs at the initial certification level and extends preparation at the graduate level in selected fields of teacher education. The teacher preparation programs/major offered at Nazareth College are tied to New York State teacher certification areas. School of Education programs and the other certification programs offered at Nazareth College are innovative and dynamic. Program/major curricula are determined by internal and external standards, and are presented in a carefully designed sequence allowing for cross-course and cross-program connections. Program faculty members are committed to preparing all teachers to work with diverse groups of students. The mission of the School of Education is to prepare teachers who are educated in the liberal arts and committed to a life guided by intellectual, moral, and ethical values.

Scholarships and tuition assistance available include:

Urban Teacher Opportunity Partnerships Program (UTOPP)
Graduate assistantship
Clinical assistantship
I-SPAN Scholars
TEACH grant
Veterans benefits

Advising

Each undergraduate teacher candidate has an education advisor, and a liberal arts and science advisor, who would together to support and advise the teacher candidate. Each graduate teacher candidate has an education advisor, a faculty member in the SoE with particular experience in their area of study. In addition, each undergraduate and graduate teacher candidate has a SoE Career Coach, a staff member from the Center for Life’s Work. The SoE Director of Academic Support Services is also available to assist and support teacher candidates. All teacher candidates are also able to access the multiple advising and support services available college-wide.

Support for Teachers of Color

There are a variety of college-wide, and SoE-specific supports we provide to teacher candidates of color. The Division for Community and Belonging focuses on diversity and inclusion, including through the Student Access and Achievement Programs, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Education which develops and facilitates on-going educational programs that engage students, faculty and staff within and across difference. Within the SoE, the Urban Teacher Opportunity Partnership Program office supports teacher candidates in the Teacher Opportunity Corps (a program focused on teacher candidates from underrepresented populations) through mentoring, focused clinical experiences, and professional development opportunities.

Partnerships

The SoE partners with a wide variety of preK-12 schools and educational settings within the Rochester and surrounding region. The Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships focuses on building and maintaining collaborative partnerships with preK-12 schools. We are also a partner in the regional Teacher Immersion Fellowship Program. Many teacher candidates have the opportunity to enroll in site-based courses, in which teacher education courses are taught on site in public schools.