Program Overview

Introduction to Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12

Enriching young minds through education is one of the most important contributions you can make to society and to future generations. As a teacher, you will inspire children and open doors through which they will discover their own identities, gifts, and passions. Your choice to pursue a life of service will be meaningful and life-changing for the students whose lives you touch.

Program Overview

The adolescence education program at St. Thomas Aquinas College offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in English, mathematics, social science, or Spanish and complete the requirements for teaching certification in grades 7-12. If teaching science is your passion, you can choose the integrated dual-degree program offered in partnership with the School of STEM and earn a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, or physics along with a master's degree in teaching in just five years.

Program Details

• Undergraduate Major: BA/BS
• Duration: 4 years
• Location: Main campus

At a Glance

The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to teach students through a vast array of courses and many exciting field experiences. Students will learn to create inclusive learning environments where diverse students will flourish, and build a complete portfolio of teaching strategies to spark their students' curiosity and lifelong love of learning.

Experiential Learning

The program offers many opportunities to gain hours of valuable experience working with students in the classroom setting. Many students work in summer programs with middle and secondary students and conduct research with faculty mentors. The School of Education partners closely with local districts, opening a gateway for field experiences, internships, supervised student teaching, and employment opportunities upon graduation.

Career Preparation and Mentoring

St. Thomas Aquinas College has a long legacy of preparing knowledgeable, caring educators who are passionate about learning, teaching, and making a difference in the world, one student at a time. The faculty of experts are set on students' success, guiding them through their college years so they can achieve their full potential and enjoy a rewarding, meaningful career in adolescence education.

Featured Courses

• Adolescent Psychology: Examines the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth and development of adolescence, relationships with family, peers, and society, and challenges children experience in today's world.
• Issues in Education: Studies the history and philosophy behind education, sociological factors that impact equal opportunity to education, and diverse student populations.
• Seminar on Reflective Teaching: Covers various issues and challenges that arise on the job as an educator, including conflict resolution, parent involvement, and physical and mental health in youth, among others.

Career Options

A degree in adolescence education, 7-12 will prepare students to succeed in graduate programs and careers in these areas of education:

• Adolescence Education
• Special Education
• Literacy

Students intern and find full-time employment at many school districts and education systems throughout New York and New Jersey, including:

• Clarkstown North/South High Schools
• North Rockland High School
• Tappan Zee High School
• Pearl River High School
• Monroe-Woodbury High School
• Spring Valley High School
• Suffern High School
• Edison Intermediate School

Program Options

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Adolescence Education, Grades 7-12: Prepares students to excel on New York State certification examinations and to succeed in their career as an educator in the 21st century.
• BA in Biology/Chemistry/Physics, & MST in Adolescence Education & Students with Disabilities, Grades 7-12: A joint program offered by the School of Education and the School of STEM, enabling science students to earn a BA in biology, chemistry, or physics and a MST in Adolescence Education Certification and Students with Disabilities, Grades 7-12, in only five years.
• BA/BS Adolescence Education, 7-12 & MSED in Literacy or Special Education: Accelerates education by choosing a dual-degree program in which students can earn both their BA/BS in Adolescence Education and their MSED in just five years.