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Thelma P. Lally School of Education

Producing the best in the field to meet the needs of our times

Top New York State Educator

The College of Saint Rose is the top trainer of teachers and administrators in New York State, granting more advanced certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees in the field of education than any other public or private college or university.

Over the past 100 years, Saint Rose has helped shape the minds of thousands of educators, counselors, school psychologists, speech pathologists, and administrators, developing a reputation for passionate, culturally competent graduates who are prepared to thrive in their careers. Hundreds of hours of fieldwork combined with expert instruction from faculty make our students’ top-choice candidates after graduation.

The Thelma P. Lally School of Education regularly receives phone calls from school districts and employers that are looking to fill job openings — are you ready to help bridge the gap?

I was advised that Saint Rose was ‘the teaching school,’ so I had always imagined attending this school. When I visited campus and felt the sense of community, I knew this was the school for me.

The class sizes were small, the people were kind, and the program was perfect for me."

Alexandra DelVecchio '21, Childhood / Special Education Grades 1-6

Alexandra Del Vecchio '21

B.S. Childhood education and special education (Grades 1-6 and SpEd 1-6 Cert)

Our dynamic programs are grounded in theory and practice, providing each student with a unique experience inside and outside of the classroom.

  • As an undergraduate student, you’ll graduate prepared to ace New York State certifications and with hundreds of hours of fieldwork needed to hit the ground running in your career and beyond.
  • As a graduate student, you will enhance your skills as a working professional, gaining the knowledge and experience needed to take the next steps in your career or start a new one.

I worked as a social worker with children in different programs, such as juvenile detention centers, residential treatment centers, and rapid intervention centers with the local Child Protective Services. I loved working with children, but didn’t want to be in these particular settings anymore. School counseling aligned with my passion for working with children and assisting in teaching life skills.

It has put me on the path to achieve my ultimate goal, which is to open my own art therapy and counseling center, while allowing me to strengthen my counseling skills with children.”

Shariva Reed

Shariva Reed G'20

M.S.Ed. School Counseling

Check out our accelerated programs

Maximize your experience:

Receive both your undergraduate and graduate degree in a compressed period of time!

Alumni Spotlight

Meisha Ross Porter, who made history in March 2021 by becoming the first Black female chancellor of the New York City schools, is a 2015 graduate of the Saint Rose school district leader program. Today, she’s president and CEO of The Bronx Community Foundation.

Learn More

Why I Teach playlist

Whether they’re teaching science to elementary students or improving the lives of special education students — learn why these students chose to become a teacher.

Whether they’re teaching in a classroom, leading a school district, helping students find their way, or giving people the gift of speech — our school of education alumni make us proud. Here are some of their stories:

Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Ave

Our Facilities

Where you learn is just as important as how you learn.

The Thelma P. Lally School of Education provides an environment that enhances our students’ experiences.

Touhey Forum in the Lally School of Education

Carl E. Touhey Forum

This event space brings important lectures, panels, and speakers from all over the world to your backyard.

Pauline K. Winkler Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic

This on-campus clinic provides a full range of diagnostic and therapy services for clients of all ages with all forms of communication problems, and serves as a space where Communication Science and Disorder students can learn from experience.

Touhey Forum in the Lally School of Education

Patricia Standish Education and Curriculum Library

A Curriculum Library that houses over 12,000 resources and hands-on materials to support undergraduate and graduate studies within the School of Education.

Things to know about
the School of Education

We have a reputation for developing top-notch educators.

After years of sending qualified students into the field, Saint Rose receives phone calls from employers looking for job candidates. So, if you’re going to put one college’s name on your resume, it should be ours.

We get our feet wet.

Our students participate in extensive student-teaching and fieldwork in professional settings that include Pre- K-12 schools, colleges, counseling practices, and the Pauline K. Winkler Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

We don’t mess around.

Students’ pass rates on the New York State Teacher Certification Exams exceed New York State averages.

We get things done.

Our accelerated programs guarantee qualified first-year applicants acceptance into our graduate programs, such as:

  • Special education
  • Communication sciences and disorders
  • Clinical mental health counseling

We are inclusive.

Social justice and diversity are focal points of our programs and curriculums, preparing students to work with children, families, and communities of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages.

We know people.

The education school shares a supportive alumni network who are leaders at the local, state, national, and international level and serve as mentors to future School of Education graduates.

Exceptional Faculty

Expert faculty with years of experience in the field who will assist in finding you the perfect student teaching or field placement and provide one-on-one support from start to finish.

Meet our faculty: Our faculty have made a name for themselves in the field. Now, they want to help you do the same.

Love this Class: Child and Adolescent Development

Love this Class: Mental Health Interventions

Dr. Gerry Lorentz - Acting Dean of The Lally School of Education

Note from the Dean of The School of Education

Whether you dream of teaching a classroom full of young, impressionable minds, helping the speech impaired find their voice, or guiding clients through life’s challenges and opportunities, you’ll find success at Saint Rose.

We’re nationally known for our work in the field of education, school psychology, and speech therapy, and we’re proud to say we grant more degrees and certificates in the field of education than any other college or university in New York State.

Our programs prepare students for the rigors of grad school and coveted career opportunities. The Thelma P. Lally School of Education has cultivated strong relationships with many employers across New York, and since we’re located in the heart of Albany, we’re within walking distance of many student teaching and fieldwork opportunities (and our on-campus speech clinic).

Grad students learn how to enhance their practice, and career changers gain confidence in transitioning to a new field. We understand that for grad students especially, life gets in the way. Our expert faculty work one-on-one with each student to make sure they’re successful — failure is not an option.

But, there’s more to our school than preparing students to work. We place an emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, educating our students how to be advocates for all.

The education landscape is changing, and we’re up to the challenge of meeting the needs of the times (one of Saint Rose’s founding values), aiding our students with the knowledge and tools they need to face the future of education, psychology, or speech pathology. That’s our promise to you.

Dr. Gerry Lorentz
Dean, Thelma P. Lally School of Education

Contact Us

Of course, if you have any questions, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Undergraduate Admissions

1001 Madison Avenue,
Albany, NY 12203

Graduate Admissions

919 Madison Avenue,
Albany, NY 12203

Request More Info

Request More Info (Undergrad Short Program Form)