American International College Ranked High in Teacher Education

Springfield, MA, December 21, 2013 --(PR.com)-- American International College in Springfield, Mass., has been ranked number six among colleges in Massachusetts providing teacher education. The rankings were published recently by The College Database, a not-for-profit organization that provides free information about education options both nationally and locally to students, parents and other interested parties.

According to the College Database list, with nearly 500 education graduates last year, AIC ranked higher in teacher education than any other Western Massachusetts college.

Esta Sobey of Wilbraham, Associate Dean of Education at AIC, said, "The ranking acknowledges our hard work and commitment to preparing highly effective classroom teachers, reading specialists, and school leaders."

AIC offers education programs in several areas including early childhood, elementary, moderate disabilities, and ten subjects on the middle/secondary level leading to initial teacher licensure in those areas. There is also a new five-year program leading to a bachelor's degree in an arts and science area with a minor in education after four years, and a Master of Education degree with licensure after the fifth year.

Sobey said the education programs have expanded in recent years not only on the AIC campus but across the state. "We have grown to 12 sites across the Commonwealth and in 2012-13, AIC prepared and endorsed 498 candidates for various initial and professional licenses," she said.

AIC Provost, Todd G. Fritch, Ph.D., said the ranking is further proof of the college's commitment to education. "Our education programs strengthen the mission of the college by expanding opportunities for students to transform their lives and achieve personal and professional fulfillment through rewarding careers as education professionals.”

Fritch said, "The programs offer students a mix of scholarship and practicality, as most of our professors are employed in the field, allowing them to offer a balance between theory and real-world application."

AIC external campus program sites include Buzzards Bay, East Bridgewater, Fall River/New Bedford, Greenfield, Lawrence, Marlborough, Medford, Pittsfield, Wakefield, Weymouth and Worcester.

The new list entitled "Top Colleges in Massachusetts: Shaping the Next Generation," highlights the post-secondary institutions in the state that produced the most education graduates during the 2012 school year. The list included only fully accredited, not for profit, four-year colleges with a minimum of 10 graduates from an education or teaching program in 2012.

"Many colleges and universities have tremendous teacher education programs," said Doug Jones, founder of The College Database. "But which ones are producing the most young educators today? We wanted to identify the colleges making the largest impact on our students."