Professional Preparation
By design, a Sarah Lawrence education prepares students for life, not just a career. The value of a liberal arts curriculum—which develops critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate ideas—helps graduates meet the challenges of any career and the world at large, the problems and needs of which are continually changing. Sarah Lawrence encourages individuals to explore a variety of academic disciplines in the context of their interests and fosters flexibility to change paths when necessary. This learning process emphasizes self-direction, an approach that is required in experiences encountered beyond college.
Students interested in Early Childhood or Childhood (Elementary) Education may, if in good standing at the College and with requisite liberal arts courses and field experiences, take graduate classes in the Art of Teaching program during their senior year. If accepted, a student will be able to complete graduate requirements for a Master of Science in Education degree in one additional year and summer of study. Interested students should speak to their dons during their first or sophomore year and contact the Art of Teaching director to learn more about specific New York State certification requirements for teaching children Birth through Grade 2, or Grades 1 to 6.
An estimated 70 percent of Sarah Lawrence College alumnae/i pursue graduate work in the years following graduation. They tend to choose human service-oriented and arts-related professions and to exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit in their life’s work.
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Thoughts on the Matter
What do you expect to be doing 10 years from now and how is SLC helping to prepare you for that?
Tomas Maccio '11
"Working with young children, either as a preschool teacher or as a therapist, perhaps working with non-English speaking children; the many psychology and child development classes have given/are giving me the theory I need to better understand what goes on in the minds of children, as well as to better understand my own personal experience as a child (to better relate to children)."
Christine Spinelli '10
"I hope to be filming in Latin America while doing social work on the side in 10 years. SLC has helped me learn how to ask the right questions and analyze. These two skills have greatly aided me in filming in Cochabamba, Bolivia this semester and I'm sure they will continue to throughout my life."
Baxter Townsend '12
"I expect to be working at a big marketing firm. Next year I'm going to be taking two languages, Spanish and Japanese, a nonfiction writing course, and an economics lecture. All of these things are awesome for business. And being so close to the city I can do internships."