The Teacher Preparation Program
is a teacher certification program that can be combined with most undergraduate majors. The program consists of 5 or 6 seminars plus student teaching. Students are admitted at the end of their Sophomore year.
The Yale Teacher Preparation Program is a plan of study that educates students with a strong liberal arts background for the complex and demanding job of teaching. Combining theory and practice, the program encourages disciplined reflection, intellectual pursuit, and a passion for making a difference. Prospective teachers are expected to develop sophisticated knowledge of students, subject matter, and pedagogy grounded in a personal philosophy of education.
The Yale Teacher Preparation Program seeks to locate itself within the university-wide continuum of educational experience and inquiry. Collaboration with other faculty and departments engages the undergraduate community through a variety of educational activities such as workshops, guest speakers, colloquia and local public school based events. The Yale Teacher Preparation Program makes available to the Yale community and to New Haven educators an extensive array of resources and support directed toward aiding in the improvement of public education.
Graduates of the teacher preparation program are heavily recruited by local as well as national school districts. In addition, many of our students enter nonprofit educational endeavors such as foundations, research laboratories, and local charities.
For those interested in public school teaching, the program offers a course of study leading to a Connecticut certificate of teaching.
For those interested in private school teaching, the program provides appropriate concepts and skills for assuming a teaching position upon graduation.
The Programs
There are three major programs of study for Yale undergraduates offered by Teacher Preparation:
The Early Childhood Certificate Program: (Birth-Kindergarten) Combined most often with a major in psychology, this program fulfills the requirements for a State of Connecticut Initial Educator License for birth to kindergarten public settings. This combination creates opportunities to join theory with practice through field experiences in early childhood centers in New Haven. Only open to Yale undergraduates.
The Elementary Education Exploration: (Grades 1-6) Combined with an academic major, this program is a selection of courses and a teaching internship at a local private school. The goal is to prepare for either private school teaching or admission into graduate certification programs. Only open to Yale undergraduates.
The Secondary (7-12) Certificate Program: (Grades 7-12) Combined with an academic major, this program fulfills all requirements for a State of Connecticut Initial Educator License for secondary settings in the following subject areas: English; History/Social Studies; Math; Biology; Chemistry; Physics; General Science; French; Spanish; German; Latin; Music. Open to Yale undergraduates, Yale graduate students, and other Post-B.A. candidates.
Official Yale College program and course information is found in the Yale College Programs of Study.
