2024-2025 Student Catalog 
    
    May 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Student Catalog

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Liberal Arts and Sciences: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), A.A.



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JOINTLY REGISTERED WITH NIAGARA UNIVERSITY’S TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (TESOL), B.A.

Contact Information

Program Requirements

Typical Program

Degree/Certificate:    Associate in Arts
HEGIS Code:            5649
SUNY Code:             2149
Major Code:             TSOL

The Career

The TESOL Jointly Registered program is structured to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experiences for transferring to Niagara University’s baccalaureate program. This program lays the groundwork for certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages for grades K-12. Employment opportunities in this certification field are abundant, with a growing demand for TESOL teachers expected in the coming years. The need arises from projected teacher vacancies and the increasing number of students requiring TESOL services.

The SUNY Niagara Approach

Upon completing SUNY Niagara’s TESOL program, students will possess the knowledge, skills, and background needed to transfer to Niagara University for a Bachelor of Arts degree. This degree qualifies them for certification to teach TESOL in grades K-12 in New York State. SUNY Niagara’s small class sizes foster open discussions, close relationships among students, and allow faculty to provide individual attention. As part of their education courses, students will engage in approximately 60 hours of field placement experiences in TESOL classrooms. The program also emphasizes relevant coursework in liberal arts and sciences, aligning with the requirements of Niagara University. Students in this program receive personalized advisement from faculty with a special interest and expertise in education.

Admission

Students admitted in fall, spring and summer.

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: TESOL program is offered as a full-time day program or part-time evening program. Because of the sequencing of courses, it may take longer than eight semesters to complete the part-time evening program or four semesters to complete the full-time day program if a student begins in a spring or summer semester.

Program Goals and Objectives

  • To prepare SUNY Niagara students for seamless transfer into the Bachelor of Arts degree program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at Niagara University
  • To provide a mechanism to share resources and program goals across faculty of the two institutions
  • To provide the opportunity for first generation college students, many of who are from rural areas, to consider teaching as a career
  • To encourage teachers to consider careers in rural areas of New York State
  • Broaden his/her general education background and core knowledge through course work in humanities, social sciences, mathematics, fine arts, computer technology and sciences

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the sociological, philosophical, physiological, historical, and psychological aspects of American education through written assessments and class discussions.
  • Develop a personal philosophy about education and the role education plays in American society.
  • Successfully complete and document required field experiences, meeting specified clock hours and applying theoretical knowledge in educational settings.
  • Initiate skill development and knowledge accumulation for TESOL certification, actively participating in coursework and practical experiences.
  • Discuss characteristics which define responsible and successful education demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills in evaluating educational practices and policies.

Program Requirements (TSOL)


  1. A total of at least 63-credit hours with a minimum curriculum grade-point average of 2.5. Academic Foundations courses do not count toward the degree.
  2. Education: A minimum of 10-credit hours to include:
    EDU 101 - Introduction to Careers in Teaching 
    EDU 299 - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages  
    EDU 206 - Introduction to Contemporary Education 
    EDU 211 - Introduction to Literacy Instruction  
  3. Communication: A minimum of 9-credit hours to include:
    ENG 101 - Writing I **
    ENG 102 - Writing II & Introduction to Literature 
    SPE 101 - Speech Communication  
  4. Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning General Education: A minimum of 3 credit hours:
    ___  ___ Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning  General Education elective
  5. Natural Science & Scientific Reasoning General Education: A minimum of 3 credit hours:
    ___ ___ Natural Science & Scientific Reasoning  General Education elective 
  6. Arts General Education: A minimum of 3 credit hours:
    ___  ___ ARTS  General Education elective
  7. History General Education elective: A minimum of 3 credit hours:
    HIS ___ US History & Civic Engagement or World History & Global Awareness  General Education elective with HIS prefix  
  8. Literature that meets Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice General Education elective: A minimum of 3 credit hours:
    LIT  ___ Literature elective (HUMN that also meets DVRS)
  9. Humanities/Social Sciences: A minimum of 24-credit hours to include:
    HIS ___     History elective (selected by advisement)
    HUS 120 - Disabilities: Birth to Adolescence 
    PSY 110 - Introduction to Psychology 
    PSY 220 - Child Development 
    ___  ___ World Language  elective
    ___  ___ World Language  elective
    ___  ___ World Language ​ elective
    ___  ___ World Language ​ elective
  10. Health and Physical Education: A minimum of 3-credit hours to include:
    HED 201 - Healthful Living  
  11. Free Elective: A minimum of 2-credit hours.

Typical Program


First Semester


Total Credit Hours: 16


Second Semester


Total Credit Hours: 15


Third Semester


  • 3 Cr.
  • 3 Cr.
  • LIT ___  Literature course by advisement (Humanities that meets Diversity: Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice General Education) 3 Cr.
  • World Language General Education elective 3 Cr.
  • HIS ___ US History & Civic Engagement (USCV) OR World History & Global Awareness (GLBL) General Education elective with HIS prefix 3 Cr.
  • Free elective 2 Cr.

Total Credit Hours: 17


Fourth Semester


Total Credit Hours: 15


Note:


*It is recommended that students, by advisement, choose courses also from the SUNY General Education Requirements Approved Courses List.

** Dependent upon the fulfillment of Academic Foundations requirements.

Scholarship Opportunities


There are several scholarships available to SUNY Niagara students. Scholarship deadline dates vary each semester.  For more information, please visit the scholarship webpage at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/scholarships. The SUNY Niagara Foundation/Scholarship Office is located within the Foundation Office, A-265 or by phone (716) 614-5910.

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