### **ADOLESCENT EDUCATION**

Adolescent education is the instruction of students in grades 7-12. Teachers typically work in middle or high schools and specialize in a specific subject.

### **Why Choose Adolescent Education?**

Great middle and high school teachers know their job is about more than just lesson planning. It’s about giving students the care and attention necessary to shape them into the people they will become in the future. Manhattan University’s state-approved adolescent education program provides the academic and interpersonal skills needed to do just that. The program leads to certification for teaching grades 7-12 in a regular education middle or high school classroom. All adolescent education majors are required to take a concentration of at least 30 credits in one of the following areas:

- English

- Modern foreign language (Spanish)

- Social Studies

- Mathematics

- Biology

- Chemistry

- Physics

Once all requirements in the adolescent education program are successfully completed, a recommendation will be made for New York state initial certification to become a middle or high school teacher.

### **The Curriculum**

The adolescent education teacher preparation program has three components:

1. Core course requirements in the liberal arts and sciences

2. Studies in the chosen academic concentration

3. Student teaching

Each term, often beginning in sophomore year, students will be in a classroom as an observer under the direction of the cooperating teacher. During senior year, adolescent education students are required to fulfill one full semester of student teaching fieldwork in addition to their academic coursework. During the student teaching experience, students are encouraged to assume more responsibility, planning and leading daily lessons, and assisting their cooperating teachers in classroom management, organization, and grading.

### **What Will Students Do?**

The adolescent education program has a well-earned reputation for producing excellent educators who teach across a broad spectrum of schools in both urban and suburban districts.