Years one and two are focused primarily around general education coursework and content-specific instruction needed for success in your teaching field.

Year three focuses on introductory and professional core coursework, providing a foundation for the methods courses and student teaching that come later. Likewise, the third year is filled with opportunities for students to work in public schools with students and teachers, putting theory into practice.

Year four is centered around honing your craft as a teacher and includes methods coursework and a culminating school experience, student teaching.

Teacher education students at Pfeiffer engage with students and teachers in the public schools from their introductory course all the way through their program of study to student teaching.  These experiences include observation, tutoring and special projects, as well as small-group and whole-group instruction. These experiences are tiered to support success as students learn and grow in the profession.

Students in Pfeiffer's teacher education program combine coursework with practical experiences to develop an appreciation for and an understanding of how to teach students with different needs and experiences. This includes differences in cultural background, gender, socio-economic status, learning styles, special education needs and English language proficiency. In addition to the coursework and field experiences, the Division of Education hosts regular workshops and webinars where guest speakers reinforce the value of recognizing and respecting differences as part of the teaching and learning process.

Pfiffer University has a philosophy of and commitment to intentional mentoring. Faculty advisors, public school mentor teachers, and others engage with students to help them build a path to their goals and chosen career. The Division of Education at Pfeiffer received a Teacher Quality Partnership Grant to enhance mentoring and coaching for students during their senior year and early teaching careers.

The Division of Education at Pfeiffer is committed to ongoing excellence and achieves it through the meaningful review of teacher education student performance data, surveys, focus groups and partnership advisory committees. We participate in the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant program to advance our own programs and those of our public school partners to higher levels.