FAQ for the Graduate School of Education’s Undergraduate Minor
1. I hear that BU has an education undergraduate minor. Can you tell me more about it?
The undergraduate education minor was created to give BU students the opportunity to gain insight into
the field of education in general and careers in education in particular (e.g., teacher, guidance
counselor, school social worker).The minor requires a total of four courses (16 credits); two of the
courses are required, and two are electives. Students have multiple options for selecting courses that
suit their interests and academic schedules.
2. Where can I find out more information about the education minor?
The GSE website has the information you need to learn about and apply to the education minor. See:
http://www.binghamton.edu/gse/teacher-education/educminor.html. Interested students may e-mail
educationminor@binghamton.edu with questions.
3. How can I gain the credits necessary for New York State teaching certification while an
undergraduate at Binghamton University? Here at Binghamton University we do not have an
undergraduate education major, we do however have a 3 + 2 program with the Graduate School of
Education. You can find out more information about these and other pre-service programs here:
http://binghamton.edu/gse/teacher-education/pre-service/index.html
4. When can I apply to the education minor?
Students may apply as soon as the spring of their sophomore year. The deadline is April 15th for the
following fall and November 15 for the following spring. Students may apply at other times, with GSE
Advisor permission. Students submit an application (found on the GSE website at
http://www.bnghamton.ed/gse/teacher-education/educminor.html. Students will be notified
by email after the application is reviewed.
5. How does a student declare the education minor?
Students submit an application (found on the GSE website at http://www.binghamton.edu/gse/teachereducation/educminor.html). Students may apply as soon as spring of their sophomore year. After
submitting an application, students will be notified of the outcome via e-mail. Advisors are assigned to
students who are accepted into the minor.
6. What undergraduate major does a student need to have to apply to the education minor?
GSE welcomes students from all undergraduate majors to apply to the education undergraduate minor.
7. May I still register for education course9s) if I am not in the minor?
Yes. Students (who are at least in the spring of their sophomore year) may register for education
courses without applying to the education minor.
8. I have already taken courses in education at another institution and have transferred them to
BU. Will any of these courses count toward requirements for the minor? In order for courses to count
toward the education minor they must be either junior or senior level, and be approved by a GSE
advisor.
9. I am a Human Development major. How many courses may I take that count toward both the
HDEV major as well as the education minor? A total of 2 courses (8 credits) may be taken to satisfy
requirements for both the HDEV major and the education minor. *Starting in the spring of 2016
all new applicants to the education minor may only use 1 course (4 credits) to satisfy both a major
and education minor requirement.*
10. Are all education electives listed on the website open to all BU students?
Some courses are may be limited to majors in specific areas or may require instructor approval.
11. Will I get the chance to spend some time getting experience in the community?
There is the opportunity to sign up for an education internship as an elective course.
12. Can I start and complete the Education Minor in one semester ? The Minor is designed
to be achieved over two or more semesters. It is not designed to be completed in one
semester. There are a limited number of courses available each semester for the Minor, so logistically
it can not happen.