Preparing students to embrace new challenges and create the future

Binghamton University is consistently ranked among the top 50 best public colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. As a premier university in the northeast, Binghamton is renowned for its academic excellence, research and value. Students from over 100 countries choose Binghamton because they know it’s one of the few American universities that emphasize meaningful cultural and intellectual exchange. 

Binghamton University is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, and is located in the Southern Tier of upstate New York. The campus is situated on 930 acres of land, and is conveniently just a few hours from major urban centers such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Department

The Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership (TLEL) within Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs offers a variety of programs from the undergraduate to doctoral level, and includes both certification and non-certification options. Each of our programs boasts a small class size, strong student connections with instructors and advisors, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

Our graduates gain employment in fields including: 

¬ public schools 

¬ private, charter and non-profit educational organizations 

¬ higher education 

¬ local, state and federal government 

¬ independent consulting and entrepreneurship 

Core values 

The faculty of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership strives to be leaders in the field of education. 

Faculty and staff believe in, and use, socially-just and culturally-responsive practices in teaching, service and research. 

Teaching 

Faculty prepare high-quality teachers and school leaders to teach and lead across curricula, age spans and diverse learning environments. 

Faculty provide high-quality programming using a variety of research-based, innovative teaching tools and techniques, including clinically-rich experiences for university students at all levels. 

Research 

Faculty are engaged scholars, actively conducting timely, meaningful research and scholarship. 

Faculty research contributes to the field, schools and communities, and informs and improves practice. 

Culture, climate and collaboration 

Faculty, staff and students create and sustain a collaborative environment where ideas are valued and respected, and where successes are celebrated. 

Faculty and staff have ongoing collaborative partnerships with other campus departments, as well as with local, regional, national and international organizations, agencies and schools. 

Education minor 

With nearly 500 students, the education minor is the most popular minor on campus. The education minor helps students develop a strong foundation for further work in education at the graduate level. The program consists of four courses (two required courses, two elective courses) and action hours (10 volunteer hours for entire minor, and attendance at three events). 

Graduate degrees

Teacher education is organized around several graduate-level programs. Some of our courses are open to undergraduate students as electives, but our teacher certification programs are offered at the graduate level only. 

All of our programs boast strong content specialty as well as diverse student and faculty backgrounds. Faculty advisors and office staff are eager to assist students in tailoring their course of study and field placements. Students are encouraged to take advantage of a well-established network of alumni and professional connections that will help with 

field visits and placements. There are urban, suburban and rural schools with internship opportunities in close proximity. 

Our Initial Teacher Preparation (MSEd, MAT) programs are for students who do not yet have any certification to teach. We have programs that lead to initial certification in childhood-early childhood and adolescence English, mathematics, sciences, social studies and Romance languages. 

Our Advanced Teacher Preparation (MSEd) programs are for students who already hold teacher certification. We have programs that lead to additional certification in adolescence, childhood, literacy, special education and TESOL education. 

Our non-certification TESOL (MA) program enables graduates to teach in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs on college campuses or in other English programs across the globe. This track is also suitable for international students who wish to be involved in English education around the world, such as ESL programs in higher education or other intensive English programs. 

Our non-certification Educational Studies (MS) program is designed for those interested in education as a general area of study and offers flexibility in course-taking around three areas: foundations, teaching and learning, and research. Generally, the program serves three types of students: 

1. International students interested in education, but who do not hold New York State certification. 2. Teachers who would like a master's degree, but who do not qualify for one of our other programs. 3. Professionals working in schools in non-teaching positions, such as therapists, counselors and other service providers, or those working in higher education or community agencies who want to increase understanding of children or schools. 

Certificate programs

Binghamton University's certificate programs allow candidates to develop specialized expertise to complement their main area of study, advance their career, and stand out to employers. 

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for our advanced certificates in Community Schools and Educational Leadership. The GRE is required for our advanced certificates in Adolescence Special Education and TESOL unless the applicant is a certified teacher/leader who already holds a graduate degree. 

Adolescence Special Education 

This program is designed for students who possess an initial New York state teacher certification and seek initial and professional certification in Students with Disabilities (SWD) 7-12 Generalist with eligibility for the SWD content area extension. 

Community Schools 

This program is offered entirely online, with completion in one year of part-time study. Community schools are a strategy for organizing school and community resources around student success. This is also a concentration option for our MS Educational Studies program. 

Educational Leadership 

This program, open to experienced educators from pre-K to high school, prepares prospective educational leaders to serve in pre-K through grade 12 schools and school districts. 

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 

This program is designed for teachers certified or becoming certified and who are seeking New York state certification in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages). For those becoming certified, the advanced certificate can be completed at a part-time or full-time pace. 

Accreditation 

Binghamton University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Our teacher preparation programs are registered by the New York State Education Department and meet the Regulations of the Commissioner for the Registration of Curricula in Teacher Education. TLEL is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). 

Internships, research opportunities and more 

Throughout their preparation, teacher candidates from both the initial and advanced preparation programs must complete classroom-based field experiences. These field experiences provide students with opportunities to apply instructional and leadership techniques learned in coursework in a classroom, school, or community setting. 

The field experience office coordinates all early field experiences and internships for initial and advanced preparation programs. Staff members collaborate with local school and community partners to identify meaningful and relevant placements with exceptional mentor teachers, allowing teacher candidates to gain diverse learning experiences in multiple settings. 

After You Graduate 

The completion of this degree and other requirements leads to a New York State certification as a special education teacher. Employment opportunities for teachers have improved significantly over the last few years. Alumni of our programs in education teach at numerous schools regionally and around the country. Due to strict licensure rules, a New York State teaching license is well respected across the nation. Typically, graduates of the programs easily find employment as teachers in other states. 

Substitutes with a Purpose (SWAP) Program 

This unique opportunity allows students to complete necessary fieldwork requirements while receiving compensation to substitute teach. Through this program, students will establish connections and relationships with local school districts, gain experience by providing instruction, and manage the learning environment. 

Student Highlights 

Alisha Merrill, an MSEd CEC student, recently developed a Native American board game to teach students about Native American history and culture. Read about her innovative teaching tool here. 

Jacqueline Luchetti, an MSEd CEC student, was recently awarded the Nancy L. Zimpher Scholarship, which recognizes a teacher education major who personifies the vision and mission of Chancellor Emeritus Zimpher’s commitment to excellence in the elementary and secondary teacher education profession. Read her acceptance speech here. 

Alumni Highlights 

Gavin Boehm, a TLEL MAT English alumnus and Union-Endicott teacher, was recently appointed to serve as a member of the Achievement Award in Writing Advisory Committee for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Read about his exciting accomplishment here. 

Rachel Murat, a TLEL MAT Social Studies alumna and Maine-Endwell teacher, was named the 2020 New York State Teacher of the Year. Read about her story here.

Financing your education

Graduate students at Binghamton University obtain financial support from a variety of sources, including loans, grants, assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, research and travel funding, Federal Work Study, and part-time employment. Many students seek out graduate assistantships, which allow students to earn stipends while gaining professional experience in an on-campus office or department. Learn more> 

Email address 

tlel@binghamton.edu 

Request information 

Mailing address 

Matthew McConn, Chair Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Academic B, Room 133 Binghamton University 4400 Vestal Parkway Vestal, NY 13850