Every community requires qualified and dedicated teachers to prepare students for success in their subjects and in life. To meet the needs of aspiring teachers from a variety of fields and backgrounds, Binghamton University's Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership (TLEL) offers both initial and advanced certification programs in adolescence education. Initial certification programs are intended for students who do not yet have certification to teach. They culminate in Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees. These programs prepare students with bachelor's degrees who seek certification to teach students in grades 7-12 in New York State schools for initial teaching certification. Accelerated degree programs in biology, chemistry, earth science, mathematics, physics, French and Spanish are also available. These programs provide outstanding Binghamton University undergraduate students the opportunity to graduate with 2 degrees in 5 years: a bachelor's degree in a subject and an MAT degree to teach that subject.