Rollins College

What you'll study

The programme blends a broad liberal‑arts education with a sequence of professional education courses and intensive school‑based experiences. You will study foundations of education, child and adolescent development, learning theory and inclusive classroom practices, together with subject‑specific methods for elementary or secondary levels.

• Foundations and theory: the history and philosophy of education, sociocultural influences on learning, ethics and professional responsibilities.
• Development and pedagogy: developmental psychology, differentiated instruction, classroom management and positive behaviour supports.
• Curriculum and assessment: curriculum design, standards‑aligned planning, formative and summative assessment, data‑informed instruction.
• Methods courses: subject‑specific techniques for literacy, mathematics, science and social studies at the chosen level; secondary content area pedagogy and methods for teaching teenagers.
• Inclusive practice and special education strategies: adapting instruction for diverse learners, collaboration with specialists, and universal design for learning.
• Educational technology: digital tools for instruction, blended learning design and media literacy.
• Research and professional development: action research, reflective practice, and models of continuing professional growth.
• Clinical experience: structured placements across multiple grade levels, leading to a sustained student‑teaching placement in a partnered school and a capstone portfolio demonstrating professional competence.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school completion credential and present a competitive academic record in a broad liberal‑arts curriculum. Typical entry prerequisites include college preparatory work in English and mathematics; some programmes expect prior coursework or demonstrated college credit in relevant content areas for subject‑specific tracks.

• Application with academic transcripts and a personal statement outlining commitment to teaching.
• Letters of recommendation, preferably including one that speaks to work with young people or teaching experience.
• Successful completion of a programme interview or admissions meeting and a background check for participation in field placements.
• Some pathways require demonstration of basic skills or passing institutional readiness checks before beginning clinical placements; specific licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction and are met in programme curricula.
• International applicants should meet Rollins College admissions standards for undergraduate study and provide evidence of English language proficiency where required.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for initial classroom roles and for continued professional growth. Many go on to classroom teaching positions at the elementary or secondary level, depending on their chosen methods concentration and certification pathway.

• Primary and elementary school teacher
• Secondary subject teacher (for those who complete a content methods concentration)
• Specialist and support roles such as literacy coach, instructional coach, or curriculum coordinator
• Positions in informal education settings, after‑school programmes and community education
• Further study at graduate level in education leadership, curriculum and instruction, or special education
• Roles in educational policy, consulting and professional development organisations

Why study at Rollins College

Rollins offers a small liberal‑arts environment that emphasises close faculty mentorship, small seminar classes and experiential learning. The college’s education programme integrates theory and practice through established partnerships with local schools, giving students substantial supervised classroom experience before graduation.

• Small class sizes and sustained advising that support individualised professional growth.
• Access to practicum and student‑teaching placements in suburban and urban schools in the region, enabling practical experience across diverse classroom contexts.
• Faculty who combine scholarly perspectives with practical school experience and who support licensure preparation and portfolio development.
• Opportunities to engage in action research, service learning and community partnerships that strengthen both pedagogical skills and professional networks.