School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies

Why pursue an education degree and Ohio licensure at Kent State? We prepare pre-service teachers to nurture students for the 21st century, focusing not only on teaching the needed skills, but also on developing a keen awareness of how to do so in a global community.

In addition, graduate programs in literacy, educational technology and curriculum studies support in-service educators as they pursue leadership positions within the wider educational community through master’s and doctoral degrees. TLC faculty are passionate about fostering “next generation” educators who are kind, knowledgeable, and committed to their students and their well-being.

Explore our degree options Contact a Program Coordinator Request more information

TLC PROGRAMS

Early Childhood Education

Teaching preschool through grade 5
The ECED program and faculty have a national reputation for their contributions to the field of Early Education. Our program places a strong emphasis on field experience: With this program, students complete student teaching experiences in both pre-K and grades K-5.
Contact the ECED Undergraduate & Transfer Advisor
Contact the ECED Graduate & Additional Licensure Advisor
Middle Childhood Education

Teaching grades 4 - 9 (ages 8 - 14)
We offer several licensure and non-licensure programs in Middle Childhood Education (MCED), at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The MCED licensure program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Ohio State Department of Education.
Adolescent and Young Adult Education

Teaching grades 7 - 12
The Adolescent and Young Adult Education (ADED) program dates back to the early years of the university. Our faculty includes full-time college and adjunct faculty with recent 7-12 teaching experience.
Contact the ADED Program Coordinator
Contact the Master of Arts in Teaching ADED Program Coordinator

Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education

The MAT: Secondary Education is a graduate-level program that prepares teacher candidates for initial licensure in Ohio and many other states. The program accepts candidates interested in teaching Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies in grades 7-12; it also prepares multi-age teachers (pre-K through 12) in Art, Dance, Foreign Language, Health and Physical Education.
Alternative Licensure Professional Development Institute - ALPDI

The Alternative Licensure Professional Development Institute at Kent State serves new teachers who completed the Ohio Department of Education requirements for an Alternative Resident Educator License. These teachers have four years to complete 15-18 credit hours, depending on their area of licensure, from a state-approved professional development institute. The ALPDI program is designed to be completed in 3 semesters or one calendar year, and is 100% online.
Career-Technical Teacher Education

Teaching high school career-technical programs
CTTE is one of a small number of teacher education programs in Ohio designed to prepare teachers as educators primarily in Ohio Schools in Career-Technical Programs. The program offers Associate of Science and Master's degrees, the Career-Technical Alternative Resident Educator License, and the Career-Based Intervention Endorsement Program.
Contact the CTTE Program Coordinator
Physical Education & Sport Performance

Teaching grades preK-12
The Physical Education & Sport Performance program is among the best in the United States in preparing teachers who exemplify best practices in the PK-12 setting and professionals who promote high quality physical activity opportunities for individuals across the lifespan. The program offers 3 undergraduate degrees, 2 graduate degrees, 1 endorsement, and 2 minors, and places a strong emphasis on field experience, internships and professional development opportunities across all degree options.
Contact the Physical Education & Sport Performance Program Coordinator

8.5.5

Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Curriculum and Instruction

Teaching Early Childhood through Secondary Education
The Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) program area offers graduate degree programs intended for those pursuing intensive advanced study in personally relevant curriculum and teaching areas.
Contact the C&I Program Coordinator

8.5.5
Educational Technology

The Educational Technology program offers a variety of graduate programs to advance your career in using technology, broadly defined, for learning and teaching.
Contact the Educational Technology Program Coordinator
Literacy Education

Teaching grades K-12
Our program prepares educators to teach literacy in K-12 settings.
Contact the Literacy Education Program Coordinator

TLC Faculty & Student Highlights

Kent State professors help marginalized students succeed through poetry, art and virtual reality

The Akron Art Museum hosted the proud work of multi-talented, middle and high school students from Akron participating in a program designed to illicit self-expression through poetry, art and virtual reality.

Giulia Diaz Boriello and Jackie Ridley Nominated as Featured Researchers

Congratulations to Giulia Diaz Boriello, Ph.D., (pictured left), and Jackie Ridley, Ph.D., for being nominated as the fall 2024 Featured Researchers.

Distinguished professor recognized for advocacy, altruism

Emeritus Professor Martha Lash, Ph.D., Kent State School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, was presented with the 2025 CDC Humanitarian Award at the annual Robin McManus Scholarship Benefit.

Before retiring from Kent State, Lash served as interim school director for TLCS, and was heavily involved with early

CDC Mixes New Math Curriculum with Technology Standards to Influence Early Childhood Education

The Child Development Center is using new technology to teach skills like counting, directions, problem-solving, spatial awareness, and logical thinking, concepts traditionally reserved for concrete manipulatives.

A lush green landscape with a sweeping blue river cutting through a valley in New Zealand.

Lessons from New Zealand

New Zealand is a breathtaking blend of rugged mountains, lush landscapes and vibrant culture. Anna Thompson, a Master of Arts in Teaching with a focus in Early Childhood Education alumna, found all that and more during her transformative student teaching experience.

Borgerding engages her class in a group discussion

‘You May Never Know the Impact That You have’

“Teaching is one of those fields where you may never know the impact that you have,” said Lisa Borgerding, Ph.D., professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies at Kent State University. The lasting impact she has had on her students in preparing them for success in the workforce through hands-on learning experiences has resulted in her being recognized and honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award.

Potenza-Radis talking with a group of students in class

Building Relationships While Teaching Future Teachers

Cheryl Potenza-Radis, Ph.D., assistant professor of Early Childhood Education in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, uses her classroom to build significant partnerships and relationships with students. And now she has an Outstanding Teaching Award to demonstrate the success of that approach.

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Contact Information

Dr. George Kamberelis
School Director
404 White Hall
330-672-2580 (phone)
330-672-3246 (fax)
gkambere@kent.edu