Department of Learning and Instruction
Our faculty educate future teachers and conduct research related to all areas of teaching and learning. We prepare students with the knowledge and skills to become impactful educators, leaders, advocates and empowered change-makers in our schools and communities.
“We offer unparalleled opportunities for hands-on experience and observation through our unique research centers, the Fisher-Price Endowed Early Childhood Research Center and the Center for Literacy and Reading Instruction. Additional opportunities for research are available in a variety of advanced centers and laboratories affiliated with LAI.”
— Erin Kearney, PhD, Chair and Professor
Who We Become
LAI-trained educators work in pre-K through high school classrooms, teach college-level education students, and conduct community-benefiting research. Career options include teaching in public, private, and charter schools, as well as becoming college faculty and researchers for government and private sectors.
Available Funding
Thanks to scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities, a GSE education is closer than you think. On top of that, our tuition and fees are among the lowest and most competitive in the nation.
Proudly Accredited
The Department of Learning and Instruction offers programs that are proudly accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This ensures that our programs meet the highest standards of quality and rigor in educator preparation.
Programs in Our Department
Choose from four nationally accredited teacher preparation programs, master’s and doctoral programs and a host of certificates and other options. No matter which program you select, you’ll benefit from small, informal and engaging classes led by world-class faculty.
Our combined 4+1 programs known as UB Teach are five-year programs that include a one-year teacher residency, during which you’ll co-teach alongside an expert teacher. Once complete, you’ll earn your bachelors and master’s and be eligible for New York State professional teaching certification in grades 5–12. As part of the UB Teach 4+1 program, you’ll complete your undergraduate coursework after your third year and start graduate-level courses immediately after—meaning you won’t have to apply to a separate graduate program.
Advanced Certificates
Certificate of Advanced Study
Teacher Certification Professional Extensions
Fully Online
Fully online programs allow you to complete 100 percent of your coursework online.
Blended/Partially Online
Blended programs allow you to complete 50 percent or more of your coursework online.
Changing the Way the World Teaches
We train a new generation of teachers, steeped in practices that are backed by research. LAI faculty and students conduct research in Buffalo schools and beyond that informs the way the world teaches.
Faculty mentoring makes a big difference to minoritized STEM postdocs, who may face cultural challenges, racial and ethnic stereotypes and limited professional development without it. That’s what one GSE researcher found when looking to identify successful mentorship practices.
How effective are school lockdown drills, and how do they impact children’s preparedness, anxiety and perceptions of safety? Amanda Nickerson, PhD, asked that question after spending four years doing research in the Syracuse City School District and a neighboring district.
A UB program that provides paid on-the-job training to new teachers is growing, thanks to a $3.5 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. The Teacher Residency Program, hailed as a nationwide model for addressing the country’s K-12 teacher shortage, will expand into other communities in Western New York.
Work Alongside Experts
Our faculty aren’t just innovative thought leaders and researchers; they are also skilled, caring, and committed educators. They bring cutting-edge research and fresh perspectives into the classroom, enriching the learning experience. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, our faculty ensures that students receive personalized guidance and mentorship. This unique combination of expertise and compassion helps our students achieve their full potential.