As the importance of STEM education grows, we need teachers that can inspire students to maximize their potential with the latest pedagogical innovations. The pre-teaching minor at Clarkson University prepares you for a teaching career before you graduate. Enhance your degree and embark on a meaningful path by completing specialized courses and gaining pre-professional experience.
Why Minor in Pre-Teaching at Clarkson?
The pre-teaching program at Clarkson prepares you for master's degrees in education in New York State, including Clarkson's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), available at our Capital Region Campus. By obtaining a degree in your discipline along with the pre-teaching minor, you have choices after graduation, should you choose to pursue an MAT immediately or later.
You will receive personalized guidance to ensure you are fulfilling the prerequisites for advanced degrees. Gain field experience through classroom observations and independent study. By the time you graduate, you will be ready to take the next step toward certification and an in-demand career.
What You'll Learn
Discipline-specific pedagogy
Education theory
Psychology
Science and mathematical theory
Review the full curriculum below.
The core courses for the minor are:
PY151 Introduction to Psychology
PY246 Educational Psychology
COMM217 Introduction to Public Speaking
ED560 Modern Teacher
STEM330/STEM530 Analyzing Science and Mathematical Theories from Philosophical and Historical Perspectives (for STEM majors)
or MA453/MA553 Introduction to Mathematical Teaching (for Math majors or STEM majors)
or an upper-level course within your major as approved by the pre-teaching minor advisor
Students are also required to complete an independent study component. Students must observe 25 hours in secondary classrooms and complete a paper after. The following course can fulfill this requirement:
ED300 Educational Field Experience (1 credit)
Clarkson's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a one-year master's degree that leads to New York State certification in most high school disciplines. The minor in pre-teaching sets the foundation to apply for the advanced degree. If you are interested in applying, you need to meet the following requirements:
A minimum of 24 credits in a major field (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or history). Students who complete a more comprehensive plan of study with 30 or more credits are considered more competitive applicants.
PY246 Education Psychology. This course is offered by the Department of Psychology every spring.
A semester of foreign language study. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking a language class at Clarkson, on a consortium campus or at any other accredited college. The requirement may also be fulfilled by transferring an AP language credit from a high school course (score of 3 or higher).
A cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Four days of observation in middle and high schools. Clarkson's Department of Education, along with your pre-teaching advisor, can help you make arrangements for these observations.
Clarkson University and several government programs offer a number of scholarships for the Master of Arts in Teaching. Additionally, if you complete the pre-teaching minor with a GPA of 3.2 or higher, you can receive additional scholarship support in the MAT program. Learn more about our scholarships.
Career Possibilities
Students who complete the pre-teaching minor and MAT can pursue roles in public and independent schools across New York, the U.S. and the world. Through this pathway, students become eligible for certification in New York State and prepare to meet the steady demand for K-12 educators.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for elementary, middle and high school teachers are expected to increase by 4 to 5 percent between 2021 and 2031.
Graduate Education
Many students who complete the pre-teaching minor continue on to Clarkson’s MAT program and opt to take advantage of the STEM Up NY Noyce Scholarship. This scholarship provides $20,000 for your senior year and $20,000 for your MAT year with specialized training to teach in high-needs school districts.
The Institute for STEM Education supports the next generation of STEM educators through outreach programs, travel grants, education "boot camps" and scholarships.
Learn how to inspire and guide the next generation. If you see yourself making a difference with a pre-teaching minor from Clarkson University, take the next step.
