With a rich tradition rooted in Franciscan values of service and community, Siena's education program fosters a collaborative learning environment where aspiring teachers are empowered to inspire minds, shape futures, and make a positive impact in diverse educational settings. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences, and mentorship from esteemed faculty, students engage in a transformative journey that prepares them to lead with compassion, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable learning environments for all.

Department Offerings:

  • Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program: New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Adolescence Education (grades 7-12) in: Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, and Spanish. Also offer programs leading to New York State Initial Teacher Certification in Business and Marketing (all grades) and Computer Science (all grades).
  • Educational Studies Minor
  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Adolescent Education: Includes grades 7-12 certification pathways in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Computer Science (K-12), Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian, or Spanish. MAT, Business and Marketing - grades K-12; MAT, Technology - grades K-12.
  • Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MAT ESOL): M.A.T., ESOL - grades K-12. Certificate of Advanced Study, ESOL (CAS ESOL). Certificate of Advanced Study, ESOL - Clinically Rich Intensive Teaching Institute (CAS ESOL)
  • Master of Arts, Curriculum and Instruction (MA C & I): Including a Certificate of Advanced Study, Curriculum and Instruction (CAS C & I)
  • Certificate of Advanced Study, Teacher Leadership and National Board (CAS NB)
  • Extension Programs: Middle Childhood Extension; Career Awareness and Career Development Extension; Foreign Language Elementary School Extension (FLES Extension) 

We provide a selection of courses enabling students across the College to examine and develop informed opinions on questions pertaining to the role of education in a democracy; questions of opportunity, equity and access; and issues of justice, the common good and human rights. These courses blend rigorous intellectual work in social science with focused field experiences/internships, and encourage students to apply new insights and understandings across a multitude of contexts. 

Siena’s Education Department offers students:

  • A commitment to coursework that addresses the full range of students’ abilities and needs.
  • Guidance from the Franciscan values in seeing the unique worth of each person.
  • Small class sizes where students work closely with faculty members.
  • Encouragement to think critically and become effective educators.
  • Valuable fieldwork experiences in local schools.
  • Diverse established partnerships with rural, suburban, and urban schools.
  • Opportunities for mentoring by professionals from the Education Department and experts in their academic disciplines.

New York State certification at the secondary level (7-12 grade)

Our program prepares students to teach at the secondary level in the following disciplines: biology, chemistry, physics, English, social studies, mathematics, Spanish, French. We also offer the two courses required for the 5th and 6th grade extension.

Become a Business or Computer Science Teacher (K-12)!

Siena is proud to offer a pathway to initial certification in Business and Computer Science. Both of these certifications are K-12. Each of these certifications are highly sought after by districts all over New York State.

Our minor is major!

The Minor in Educational Studies offers students an opportunity to examine and develop informed opinions on questions pertaining to the role of education in a democracy, questions of opportunity, equity, and access, and issues of justice, the common good, and human rights. Through an integrated collection of courses, individual research, and faculty guidance, students will develop a sophisticated understanding of an education-related area of concentration of their choice.

You'll Make the Grade

Our Saints have a 92% pass rate on all New York State Certification Exams! Alumni are employed as teachers or administrators in schools across the Capital Region, throughout New York, and all over the US. Many of our alumni  go on to teach abroad! Saints are everywhere!

Jesse Moya

Department Chair, Associate Professor of Education

208 Rosetti Hall