The mission of the School of Education at SUNY College at Old Westbury is to prepare teacher candidates to be literate and progressive citizens who value human diversity and exemplify an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge and for learning as a lifelong process. In short, Old Westbury's endeavor is to help them become leaders creating a just world through interdisciplinary teaching and learning.
To implement its vision and mission, the School of Education focuses upon the following overarching principles which link its vision and mission to those of SUNY College at Old Westbury and the profession of teacher education:
- A commitment to preparing teachers as professionals
- An active engagement in promoting a just world
- A belief in the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge and practice
The School seeks to foster the development of teachers with the appropriate knowledge base, skills and dispositions to facilitate the holistic development of all learners in the context of contemporary society. The faculty of the School of Education strives to model culturally responsive teaching strategies for teacher candidates, who, in turn create equitable and democratic classrooms conducive to learning for all students.
Admission to Teacher Education
All Admissions processes for entry into SUNY College at Old Westbury and its more than 40 degree programs is conducted through the Office of Enrollment Services. Admission to the School of Education at SUNY College at Old Westbury is an additional process students may seek after being admitted to the College. This admission is required to become a candidate for graduation and certification.
Students may seek admission to School of Education programs after having completed 48 undergraduate credits. Student's with associate's or bachelor's degrees, or students who seek to enroll in the Adolescence Education courses of study, must apply for admission during the semester they enroll at Old Westbury.
Requirements for admission to the School of Education includes the following:
- College-wide proficiency in Mathematics
- College-wide proficiency in English
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher
- The completion of 48 credits
- A writing sample (in English)
- Proficiency in Spanish (for those enrolling in the Childhood Education with Bilingual Extension (1-6) and Special Education with Bilingual Extension (1-6) programs)
For information on the School of Education's admissions procedures, contact the Director of Support Services by clicking here.
Graduate Education
In addition to its variety of undergraduate degree programs, the School of Education at SUNY College at Old Westbury offers an array of programs for those seeking advanced degrees, including Master of Arts in Teaching degrees for those with little or no prior educational coursework, Master of Science degrees for those who hold undergraduate degrees in education, and advanced certificates for those with permanent certification. For details regarding Old Westbury's graduate degree program, click here and scroll down to "Graduate Degrees."
NCATE Accreditation 
The School of Education at SUNY College at Old Westbury is proud to be among those institutions who have earned accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Graduates from an NCATE accredited teacher preparation program are in high demand because they are well-prepared for initial licensing and advanced board certification. Many states have reciprocity agreements based on graduation from NCATE accredited schools, so graduates of NCATE-accredited schools will generally find it easier to apply for a teaching license should they move out of state.
By achieving NCATE accreditation, the Old Westbury School of Education has illustrated that its teacher preparation program has met national standards set by the teaching profession and has undergone rigorous, external, impartial review by professionals, policy makers, and representatives of the public.
