It is very difficult to have to explain time after time again that I take the same amount of classes as a double-major would, but under Hartwick's definition I am in fact, not a double major. Many people within the Hartwick community don't understand this idea, so imagine how difficult it is for people outside of this to understand that being in the Education Program means you receive a certification at the end of your four years at Hartwick, not a degree in education. These are six of the most common struggles of this.

1. "You want to be a teacher? So you must major in education."

Actually no, I am a Sociology major. I am in the Education Program here at Hartwick which means that I have to have a certain GPA to be a member of this and do extra work on top of the classes that I take which equal out to the same amount of credit hours that a major would. Being in the Education Program means I graduate with a certificate to teach, not a degree in education.

2. "It's really not that much work, you're not even a double-major."

Oh? So you're saying that because of the fact that my degree audit doesn't say I'm a double-major doesn't mean I have a lot of work? The entry level education program classes had the most homework for a class that I would ever have to complete in a week. There are times when I would spend 2-3 hours per night to complete the reading and assignment. On top of that one is required to take 9 courses with the college, spend a J-term doing my mini practicum, and then student teach in two different schools (elementary and middle) and take a night class to reflect on student teaching.

3. "Everyone else who is a double-major doesn't have those issues."

On top of all the classes, having another major, taking the liberal arts credits, doing homework, working and everything else life throws at us, members in the education program need to complete a certain number of hours in order to student teach. Before a student's final semester they need to have 100 in classroom hours completed, 75 in general education and 25 in special education. The mini practicum does not count towards these hours unless you go over the 120 hours required to complete that course. OH I FORGOT TO MENTION! All juniors need to submit a Junior Review Portfolio or JRP on the first Friday of their spring semester which is seen as their application to student teach. You need to do this on your own time and it is not a part of a class. They do not get graded either, you just get an acceptance or denial (thank God). BUT the JRP has 6 different sections in it which you need artifacts (papers, unit/ lesson plans, etc.) from previous classes in your major and in the program. AND it is encouraged that these are original copies with the grades on them, so that means it is basically mandatory to keep everything you have ever gotten back from any professor and search through it to have this binder that defines your life route be perfect.

4. "Wow, it must be difficult to get all of your classes done."

I know that this seems like a lot of complaining, but I love taking the education classes and being in this program more than I love my actual major (not saying that I don't love sociology or anything). It is always a struggle to get classes done considering you have one less semester to complete all of your major, program and liberal arts classes. That is why the registrar has so gracefully let people in the education program register for classes a day before everyone else in their year. This can be seen as a problem considering most people are competitive about their times of registration, for some reason. But, this is necessary considering all of us have an actual major in which we need to complete as well as the program.

5. "What do you mean you need a certain GPA?"

OH RIGHT! I didn't mention yet that in order to get into the Education Program, you need to apply. To be accepted you need to have a 3.0 GPA or above and complete 3 of the 4 entry classes. In order to stay in the program you need to have a 3.0 GPA or above in your major, the program and overall for that semester. So that whole "slacking off 'cause you're a double-major thing" is basically impossible.

6. "So... you don't have a major? That means you won't know what you're doing."

Actually, that is completely false. This is with no offense to any other education major from other colleges, but many of Hartwick's students who were members of the Education Program here get jobs faster and are higher paid then students who were majors. I have heard from many professors who also teach and have taught at other schools say that Hartwick education students are some of the most open-minded and discussion based progressive students they have ever worked with.

I am sorry if this article seems like it is full of complaints and "woe is me" aspects, but it isn't like that whatsoever. I am more than proud of myself for being a member of this program and for being able to meet the requirements to stay in this program. I am more than in love with this field of study and occupation and cannot wait for my own classroom. I have a huge passion for teaching that is seen in everything I do. I love this program, and I know I will love this job when I have it in the near future.