Queens students begin education courses and clinicals their first semester. First-year courses introduce students to a range of schools and classroom environments, helping them build a foundation for effectively supporting all learners. Students work with their education advisor to develop a customized four-year plan of study.

Students apply for admittance into the education program. Courses taken in year two include content/major area courses, as well as Digital Literacies. This year, students are immersed in learning how to develop and teach lessons effectively to all types of learners.

Students focus primarily on specific content courses as well as Literacy Integrated in the Content Area and Critical Issues in Education. Clinicals are strategically planned in a variety of school settings. Students see theory in practice while teaming up with master teachers to observe and teach. 

Students are immersed in a year-long internship while continuing to take professional education coursework. Students are required to spend one full day in their internship classroom in the fall and student teach full-time with their clinical educator in the spring semester. 

The Cato School of Education is committed to continuous improvement. Cato is accredited by NCATE and is preparing for reaccreditation with CAEP in Spring 2022. Faculty continually attend state, national and international conferences presenting research and increasing their learning. Faculty publish articles, chapters in edited books, books and manuals in their fields.