Majors and Programs

Houghton Education Major in ClassroomCertification Areas

  • Adolescence Education, 7-12
  • Art Education, PreK-12
  • Inclusive Childhood certification:
    leads to dual certification in Childhood and Students with Disabilities (grades 1-6)
  • Music Education, Pre-K-12
  • Physical-Health Education, Pre-K-12
  • Physical Education, Pre-K-12
  • TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Pre-K-12

I. Your Houghton College Course of Study

1. Integrative studies courses

These include studies in writing, literature, math, science, social science, history, physical education, the arts, communication, Bible, theology, foreign language, and philosophy.

2. Education Major

  • Adolescence Education
  • Art Education
  • Inclusive Childhood Education
  • Music Education
  • Physical-Health Education
  • Physical Education (teaching)
  • TESOL

3. Content Area Studies

Adolescence Education majors choose a second major from one of the following:

Art Education majors take 36 hours in art and 44 hours in education and art methods courses to earn a B.S. degree in Art Education

Inclusive Childhood Education majors choose either:

Music Education majors choose an emphasis in either vocal or instrumental music.

Physical-Health Education majors: In addition to coursework in physical education and health, courses are also taken from the Psychology, Biology and Chemistry departments.

Physical Education majors, while not required to specialize, can strengthen their credentials by adding swimming certifications (lifeguarding and water safety instructor), and by outdoor education experiences such as Houghton's ropes course, rock climbing instruction, and wilderness and outdoor adventure activities.

TESOL currently requires a double major in TESOL and Intercultural Studies.

II. Entry into and progress through the Teacher Education Program:

For admission to the teacher education program, a student must:

  • Complete an application (available from the department office, 200 Chamberlain Center),
  • Successfully complete the writing sample assessment,
  • Present a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5,
  • Demonstrate acceptable evidence of professional dispositions, and
  • Receive formal approval from Teacher Education Committee.

For entry into upper level education courses (courses numbered 300 and higher), a student must:

  • Have been admitted to the teacher education program,
  • Have successfully completed specified 200-level course work in Education; ADE majors
    must complete at least 8 hours of course work from among EDUC 217 (or 218), EDUC 219, 235, 240; ICE
    majors must complete the following courses (14 hours): EDUC 114, 219, 235, 240. Students in ALL teachereducation strands (ADE, Art Ed, ICE, TESOL, PE, PE-Health, Music Ed) must complete EDUC 202 Topics in Professionalism by the end of the sophomore year.
  • Present a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.6,
  • Demonstrate acceptable evidence of professional dispositions, and
  • Receive formal approval from Teacher Education Committee.

Note: Continuation in the second semester of the junior-level course sequence in each program is contingent upon successful completion of all requirements for coursework and field placements. To continue in the program and to be recommended for teacher certification (in any state), students must earn a grade of B- or better in each of their field placements.

To be approved for student teaching, a student must:

  • Complete and submit the Application for Professional Field Semester by the end of the
    second week of the semester prior to the requested professional semester,
  • Have successfully completed the junior level course sequence appropriate to the major,
    including successful completion of all field placement requirements with a grade of B- or
    higher (see note above),
  • Present a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7,
  • Demonstrate acceptable evidence of professional dispositions,
  • Complete all state-mandated training sessions required for certification (completed in
    EDUC 202),
  • Complete all of the required contact hours (varies according to program strand), and
  • Receive formal approval from the Teacher Education Committee.

III. Field Placements

New York State regulations require a minimum of 100 hours of pre-student teaching contact hours for majors leading to one NYS certification.  Majors leading to two certificates (ICE and PE-Health) require 150 pre-student teaching contact hours.

At Houghton, this requirement is met in combination within a variety of courses and in both urban and local settings. For instance:

  • Urban experience is gained through 10 days of inner-city school placement during Teaching in Urban America (EDUC 240) and participation in the Pen Pal Project, a course requirement in Language & Literacy for Diverse Learners (EDUC 329) in cooperation with the King Center Charter School.
  • Special events including Math Day, King Center Charter School Royal Readers' Book Club, the Special Olympics, and science fairs are part of classes such as Math Concepts and Reasoning (EDUC 114) or Children's Literature (EDUC 221).

IV. Junior Practicum

Inclusive Childhood Education Practicum is considered the first part of the student teaching experience. These experiences occur across both the fall and spring semesters of the junior year and give students a chance to observe and to apply what they learn in their education courses in local classroom settings.

The Adolescence Education, Art Education and TESOL Practicums are structured within the methods course work. It meets the pre-student teaching field work requirements for New York certification.

V. Senior Student Teaching

Houghton seniors have opportunities to student teach in a variety of settings including rural, urban, suburban, Christian, charter, and bilingual schools.

VI. Certification

Houghton's education program provides New York State Certification which historically has maintained reciprocity with 39 other states (including PA, NJ, OH, MI, MA, VA, MD, etc.) and Puerto Rico plus the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Dependent School systems.

Course Requirements and Recommended Sequence