Teaching jobs do exist. In fact, many areas have teacher shortages. High demand
exists for well-educated teachers with strong liberal arts backgrounds and there is a national shortage of qualified secondary school mathematics, science, and bilingual teachers. A small number of forgivable loans and scholarships are available for students majoring in these fields who later plan to teach. All Barnard Education Program students who have sought teaching jobs after graduation have found them.
The Barnard Education Program, active since 1952, is open to students from Barnard, Columbia, General Studies, and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science who are interested in teaching in elementary or secondary schools and/or are preparing for educationally related careers. The Program is taken in conjunction with a major in a liberal arts or science discipline. Barnard, Engineering and General Studies students may also have an Education minor. Students completing the program are eligible for New York State Initial Certification in either Childhood Education (grades 1-6) or Adolescence Education (grades 7-12). New York State Professional Certification requires a master’s degree, two years of teaching experience, and additional examinations.
The Barnard Education Program belongs to the Consortium for Excellence in Teacher Education (CETE), a group of 17 selective private liberal arts colleges and universities with similar education programs. CETE has a job clearinghouse to assist graduates by placing them in teaching positions in public schools in many regions of the country.
The advisors for the Education Program are Professors Lee Anne Bell and Maria Rivera. First-year and sophomore students interested in the program should confer with one of these advisors. The official application deadline for admission to the Education Program is the first Monday in October of the Junior year or when a student has completed 60 credits, whichever occurs first. Those students who have been admitted to the program are notified by the end of the Fall term.
Admission criteria include good academic standing, evidence of interest in the field of education, and capacity for growth in areas vital to the teaching-learning experience.
