Accelerated 4+1 Pathways

Overview
The Childhood/Exceptional Education (CED/XCE) 4+1 pathway is an accelerated pathway offering a bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Childhood Exceptional Education. Enrollment in this pathway allows candidates to complete the course requirements for certification in Childhood Grades 1-6 Education during the bachelor’s portion of their program, while they also take selected graduate courses during their senior year. Candidates will continue with one full year of graduate study following completion of the bachelor’s degree. The graduate courses in the pathway will fulfill the coursework requirements for initial certification of Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6.

Candidates accepted to the 4+1 pathway must follow the curriculum map as outlined in order to complete the program as scheduled. Candidates begin graduate coursework during their senior year and are formally accepted into the Graduate School after verification of the completion of bachelor’s degree requirements and submission of the application. Graduate applications fees are also waived for 4+1 students.

Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 before enrollment in order to begin the graduate portion of the 4+1 pathway. Candidates must earn a minimum grade of B in EXE 501in order to continue with the 4+1 pathway.  When the candidate is officially accepted into the graduate program and the Graduate Department, the graduate credits will be applied to the graduate course of study and all the policies and privileges relevant to graduate students will apply.

Admission Requirements
Completion of a Buffalo State Educator Preparation Program leads to a college recommendation for NYS Teacher Certification. Buffalo State cannot determine the acceptability of an Educator Preparation Program for licensure/certification in another U.S. state or territory. To access Buffalo State’s full Interstate Disclosure document, including a full list of education departments for other states, go to teachercertification.buffalostate.edu/teaching-other-states.

Students enter the pathway either as incoming freshman or at any point in their undergraduate degree. Each successful candidate electing the 4+1 option will be required to submit the statement indicating the candidate’s intent to remain at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Undergraduates

• Entering freshman must have a high school average of at least 85.
• Students who have completed one semester of full time undergraduate study or at least 12 credit hours of college study must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Transfers

• Transfers from two-year and other four-year institutions will follow the institutional admissions requirements as all other transfers into teacher education programs.
• Acceptance into the CED/XCE 4+1 course sequence will be contingent on courses completed at previous institutions that have transfer equivalence to those in the CED/XCE 4+1 pathway.
• Depending on the time of transfer, candidates may choose to submit an SAT, ACT, or GRE or MAT (more appropriate after second year of undergraduate study).
• Transfer students should speak to the chair of the department before applying. Contact the Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership Department at (716) 878-5916 or the Exceptional Education Department at (716) 878-3038.

To Apply

Meet with your undergraduate adviser for approval. After receiving approval, complete the 4+1 Pathway Application for your chosen degree.

4+1 Accelerated Pathway Application

For More Information
Exceptional Education
Department Chair
(716) 878-3038
Kathy Doody, Professor
Ketchum Hall 204C
doodykr@buffalostate.edu

Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership
Department Chair
(716) 878-5916
 

Overview

The 4+1 accelerated pathway in curriculum and instruction is for students in programs leading to a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, childhood education, or combined early childhood and childhood education. The pathway initiates graduate-level coursework at the undergraduate level, providing qualified students with seamless entry to the master’s degree program and an accelerated course of study toward an advanced degree.

Candidates in the 4+1 pathway begin graduate coursework during their senior year of undergraduate study. Following the completion of their bachelor’s degree requirements, students are recommended for initial certification in the early childhood education, childhood education, or combined program. Candidates then continue with one full year of graduate study to fulfill the coursework requirements for their master’s degree and receive recommendation for professional certification.

Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 before enrollment in any graduate course in the 4 + 1 pathway. For most candidates, this will be at the end of their junior year (sixth semester). In their senior year (seventh semester), candidates complete student teaching while starting graduate coursework with EDU 513: Theory, Research, and Practice in Literacy Instruction. In the eighth semester, candidates complete their undergraduate coursework as well as EDU 501: Seminar for the Reflective Teacher and EDU 620: Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary School Classrooms. Candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum grade of B in graduate courses to remain in the 4+1 program.

Students accepted to the 4+1 pathway must follow the curriculum map as outlined by the department in order to complete the program as scheduled. Students are formally admitted to the Graduate School following verification of completion of bachelor’s degree requirements and acceptance of the graduate application. Upon formal admission to the Graduate School, earned graduate credit is applied to the graduate course of study, and all graduate policies and privileges apply. Graduate application fees are waived for students in the 4+1 accelerated pathway.

Admission Requirements

Completion of a Buffalo State Educator Preparation Program leads to a college recommendation for NYS Teacher Certification. Buffalo State cannot determine the acceptability of an Educator Preparation Program for licensure/certification in another U.S. state or territory. To access Buffalo State’s full Interstate Disclosure document, including a full list of education departments for other states, go to teachercertification.buffalostate.edu/teaching-other-states.

Students enter the 4+1 pathway either as incoming freshmen or at any point in their undergraduate degree program. Students interested in the 4+1 pathway should meet with a designated 4+1 adviser to discuss the application process before completing an application packet.

The application includes submission of a statement of interest in the 4+1 program and intent to remain at Buffalo State for the graduate portion of the pathway.

General (Undergraduate)

• Entering freshmen must have a minimum high school average of 85.
• Undergraduates must submit SAT or ACT scores for successful admission to the pathway. Current Buffalo State students who are changing
• majors and applying in their junior year may submit GRE or MAT scores instead.
• Current students already accepted to the early childhood education, childhood education, or combined program who have completed 75 or more credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 may apply to the pathway program before their final year of undergraduate study.

Transfer

• Transfer students from two-year and other four-year institutions follow the same institutional admission requirements as other students transferring into Buffalo State teacher education programs.
•  Acceptance to the 4+1 course sequence is contingent on courses completed at institutions that have transfer equivalence to courses in the Buffalo State early childhood education, childhood education, or combined program.
• Transfer students should speak to the Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership Department chair or designee before applying. Please call the department at (716) 878-5916 with questions or to arrange an appointment.

To Apply

Meet with your undergraduate adviser for approval. After receiving approval, complete the 4+1 Pathway Application for your chosen degree.

4+1 Accelerated Pathway Application

Applicants must also submit to the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership department a statement indicating their intent to remain at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate studies. The writing sample is assessed by the faculty as an essential part of a successful application.

An acceptable application to the department will include evidence that all requirements for admission to a teacher education program have been met. The writing sample for admission to the childhood or early childhood major includes a descriptive account of the applicant’s relevant teaching experience or experience with young children.

For More Information

Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership

(716) 878-5916
Bacon Hall 302
elementaryed@buffalostate.edu

Overview

The Early Childhood/Exceptional Education (ECE/EXC) 4+1 pathway is an accelerated pathway offering a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Exceptional Education. Enrollment in this pathway allows candidates to complete the course requirements for certification in Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) Education during the bachelor’s portion of their program, while they also take selected graduate courses during their senior year. Candidates will continue with one full year of graduate study following completion of the bachelor’s degree. The graduate courses in the pathway will fulfill the coursework requirements for initial certification of Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2).

Candidates accepted to the 4+1 pathway must follow the curriculum map as outlined in order to complete the program as scheduled. Candidates begin graduate coursework during their senior year and are formally accepted into the Graduate School after verification of the completion of bachelor’s degree requirements and submission of the application. Graduate applications fees are also waived for 4+1 students.
 
Candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 before enrollment in order to begin the graduate portion of the 4+1 pathway. Candidates must earn a minimum grade of B in EXE 501in order to continue with the 4+1 pathway.  When the candidate is officially accepted into the graduate program and the Graduate School, the graduate credits will be applied to the graduate course of study and all the policies and privileges relevant to graduate students will apply.

Please work with your adviser to make sure that you complete EXE 362 as part of your undergraduate program and connect with a graduate adviser for advice about when to start graduate classes.

Admission Requirements

Completion of a Buffalo State Educator Preparation Program leads to a college recommendation for NYS Teacher Certification. Buffalo State cannot determine the acceptability of an Educator Preparation Program for licensure/certification in another U.S. state or territory. To access Buffalo State’s full Interstate Disclosure document, including a full list of education departments for other states, go to teachercertification.buffalostate.edu/teaching-other-states.

Students enter the pathway either as incoming freshman or at any point in their undergraduate degree. Each successful candidate electing the 4+1 option will be required to submit the statement indicating the candidate’s intent to remain at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate studies.

Candidates accepted to the ECE/EXC 4+1 pathway as undergraduates do not need to take the GRE or MAT as per SUNY requirements for graduate teacher education programs if they have already submitted an SAT or ACT score upon acceptance to the undergraduate portion of the pathway.

Undergraduates

• Entering freshman must have a high school average of at least 85.
• Undergraduates must submit an SAT or ACT score for successful admission to the pathway. SUNY Buffalo State students who are changing majors and applying in the junior year may find the GRE or MAT more appropriate.
• Students who have completed one semester of full time undergraduate study or at least 12 credit hours of college study must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Transfers

• Transfers from two-year and other four-year institutions will follow the institutional admissions requirements as all other transfers into teacher education programs.
• Acceptance into the ECE/EXC 4+1 course sequence will be contingent on courses completed at previous institutions that have transfer equivalence to those in the ECE/EXC 4+1 pathway.
• Depending on the time of transfer, candidates may choose to submit an SAT, ACT, or GRE or MAT (more appropriate after second year of undergraduate study).
• Transfer students should speak to the chair of the department before applying. Contact the Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership Department at (716) 878-5916 or the Exceptional Education Department at (716) 878-5317.

To Apply

Meet with your undergraduate adviser for approval. After receiving approval, complete the 4+1 Pathway Application for your chosen degree.

4+1 Accelerated Pathway Application

For More Information

Exceptional Education

Department Chair
(716) 878-5317

Kathy Doody, Assistant Professor
(716) 878-5318
Ketchum Hall 204C
doodkr@buffalostate.edu

Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership

Department Chair
(716) 878-5916

Overview

The Literacy Specialist early admission pathway is for selected students currently seeking a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Childhood Education, combined Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Exceptional Education, Art Education, Music Education, or any secondary education subject area who have demonstrated through coursework and field experiences the skills and dispositions that recommend them for rigorous study as a literacy specialist.  Enrollment in this pathway allows candidates to begin the graduate course work for the Literacy Specialist Program during the bachelor’s portion of their program. Following completion of the bachelor’s degree, advanced admission candidates will complete the program in three semesters of graduate study. Completion of the undergraduate requirements for the base initial certificate will result in the college’s recommendation for New York State certification in that base certificate. Completing the graduate portion of the pathway will result in the college’s recommendation for Initial and Professional certification for Literacy (Birth-Grade 6 and Grades 5-12), and will qualify the candidate to apply for professional certification for the base certificate(s).  

Candidates in the pathway must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA prior to enrollment in the initial graduate courses.  For most candidates, this will be at the end of their junior year (sixth semester) when they will begin the pathway by completing EDU 513, ”Theory, Research and Practice in Literacy Instruction,” while student teaching and continue with EDU 612, “Developing Literacy through Literature” and EDU 535, “Teaching Writing B-12,” in their final undergraduate semester.  Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn a grade of B or better in the graduate courses to remain in the pathway. After successfully completing their undergraduate program, including the graduate courses in their final semesters, candidates will be officially accepted into the graduate Literacy Specialist program.  At this time, the graduate credits will be applied to the graduate course of study and all the policies and privileges relevant to graduate students will apply.

Admission Requirements

Students may enter the pathway after being reviewed by a committee of faculty at the completion of EDU 311, “The Teaching of Reading and the Other Language Arts in the Elementary School” or a similar literacy methods course required in another major. Successful candidates electing this pathway will be required to submit a statement indicating intent to remain at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate studies as part of the application packet.

• As with all SUNY teacher education programs, undergraduates must have on file an SAT or ACT score.
• Candidates who seek this pathway must submit a written recommendation from their EDU 311 (or equivalent) instructor.
• Transfer students should speak to the chair of the department or designee prior to applying. Contact the Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership Department at (716) 878-5916

To Apply

Qualified students interested in applying should meet with their designated advisors for assistance with the application process.

For More Information

Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership

(716) 878-5916
Bacon Hall 302
elementaryed@buffalostate.edu

Overview

The TESOL 4+1 is an accelerated pathway for students in programs leading to a bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood, Childhood, or the combined Early Childhood and Childhood Education. Adding one semester of graduate study, candidates can be recommended for a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) and New York certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).  Enrollment in this pathway allows candidates to begin the graduate course work for the TESOL C.A.S. during the bachelor’s portion of their program. Candidates can complete the C.A.S. during their final year of undergraduate study and one semester of graduate study following completion of the bachelor’s degree. The graduate courses in the pathway will fulfill the coursework requirements for a college recommendation for initial certification in TESOL (Pre-K-12).  Initial certification in Early Childhood, Childhood or both will be recommended by the college following the completion of the Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates may also continue graduate study in the Curriculum and Instruction master’s degree program, applying 15 credits of the C.A.S toward their master’s degree.

Candidates in the pathway must have a 3.0 GPA prior to enrollment in the initial graduate courses of the 4 +1 pathway.  For most candidates, this will be at the end of their junior year (sixth semester).  In their senior year candidates will begin the 4+1 pathway by completing ESL 540, Second Language Acquisition Theory and ESL 600, English as a Second Language Methods in the semester prior to student teaching.  Candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn a grade of B or better in graduate courses to remain in the Advanced Certificate program and to complete the TESOL portion of student teaching. After successfully completing their undergraduate program, including the TESOL courses in their final semesters, candidates will be officially accepted into the graduate C.A.S. program.  At this time, graduate credits will be applied to the graduate course of study, and all the policies and privileges relevant to graduate students will apply.

Please note, successful application for certification in TESOL requires evidence of a minimum of 12 credit hours of college- level study of a foreign language and evidence of English language proficiency for candidates whose native language is not English (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, local proficiency exam, or bachelor’s degree from an English-speaking university).  This can be done prior to or during the coursework for the CAS.

Admission Requirements

Completion of a Buffalo State Educator Preparation Program leads to a college recommendation for NYS Teacher Certification. Buffalo State cannot determine the acceptability of an Educator Preparation Program for licensure/certification in another U.S. state or territory. To access Buffalo State’s full Interstate Disclosure document, including a full list of education departments for other states, go to teachercertification.buffalostate.edu/teaching-other-states.

Students accepted into the pathway must follow the curriculum map as outlined by the department in order to complete the program as scheduled. Students begin graduate coursework during their senior year and are formally accepted into the Graduate School after verification of the completion of bachelor’s degree requirements and submission of the application. Graduate applications fees are waived for 4+1 students.

Students enter the pathway either as incoming freshmen or at any point in their undergraduate degree. Each successful candidate electing the 4 + 1 option will be required to submit a statement indicating the candidate’s intent to remain at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate studies as part of the initial application packet.

Undergraduates

• Entering freshmen must have a high school average of at least 85.
• Undergraduates must submit an SAT or ACT score for successful admission to the pathway. Current SUNY students who are changing majors and apply in their junior year may take the GRE or MAT instead.
• Current students already accepted in ECE, CEC, or ECC programs who have completed 75 or more credits with a 3.0 GPA or higher may apply for this pathway prior to their final year of undergraduate study. This application includes submission of a statement of interest in TESOL and intent to remain at Buffalo State for the graduate portion of the pathway.

Transfers

• Transfers from two-year and other four-year institutions will follow the institutional admissions requirements as all other transfers into teacher education programs.
• Acceptance into the 4 + 1 course sequence will be contingent on courses completed at previous institutions that have transfer equivalence to those in the Buffalo State undergraduate Early Childhood, Childhood and combined programs.
• Transfer students should speak to the chair of the department or designee prior to applying. Contact the Department of Elementary Education, Literacy and Educational Leadership Department at (716) 878-5916.

To Apply

Qualified students interested in applying should meet with the designated TESOL adviser to discuss the application process and then complete an application packet. 

Meet with your undergraduate adviser for approval. After receiving approval, complete the 4+1 Pathway Application for your chosen degree.

4+1 Accelerated Pathway Application

For all candidates to Early Childhood, Childhood or the combined program, an acceptable application to the department includes evidence that all requirements for admission to a teacher education program have been met. The usual writing sample for admission to the childhood and early childhood majors includes a descriptive writing sample regarding the applicant’s relevant teaching and/or experiences with young children.  For applicants to the 4+1 pathway, this written sample should include a commitment to the TESOL 4+1 pathway that affirms the candidate’s intent to remain at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate studies.  The writing sample will be assessed by the faculty as an essential part of a successful application.

Contact the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership department at (716) 878-5916 with questions and to make an appointment to meet with a TESOL Pathway adviser.