Admission Critera

Admission to the master of science in education degree program in the department of curriculum and teaching is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria including the following: 

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
2. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher on all course work.
3. A GPA of 2.75 or higher in liberal arts and sciences course work. Applicants’ with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
4. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession.
5. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
6. An interview with the program director.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a student’s potential for success in the program. Students may consider applying even if they fail to meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience might compensate.

General Education Core Requirements

In order to ensure that prospective teachers have a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences, all students must have completed undergraduate course work from each of the content areas below.
   1.     Artistic Expression/Humanities, 3 s.h.
   2.     Communication, 3 s.h.
   3.     Information Retrieval, (0-3 s.h.; can be satisfied with passing score on exam)
   4.    Historical and Social Science Concepts, 3 s.h.
   5.     Language other than English, (0-3 s.h.; depending on placement)
   6.     Scientific Processes, 3 s.h.
   7.     Mathematical Processes, 3 s.h.
   8.     Written Analysis and Expression, 6 s.h.

Please note that programs may have general education requirements that exceed the minimum registered with the state. Degrees will not be conferred unless all general education core deficiencies have been met.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 41

Pedagogical Core Requirements

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 while in the program. Grades of D or lower will not be counted toward the graduate degree but will be included in determining the grade point average.

Field Experiences Prior to Student Teaching

(15 clock hours in each course)

Prospective teachers in the dual certification program in early childhood education and childhood education complete a minimum of 120 clock hours as participant observers in designated schools prior to student teaching. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement.  At least one placement will be spent in a site recognized by the New York State Education Department as high-needs. Students in SPED 207 will participate on-site with students who have disabilities.

Student Teaching Prerequisites

1. Program Phase 2 and General Education Core must be completed prior to student teaching.
2. Application forms for student teaching are available in the Office of Field Placement and are accepted by October 1 or March 1 for the succeeding semester.
3. Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work without incompletes. Student teaching will not be waived.

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of General Education Core.
2. Successful completion of all course requirements for the Master of Science in Education Dual Certification in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
3. Completion of the 41 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Education Dual Certification Program in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Education.
4. A comprehensive portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
5. A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit).
6. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnotes

Teacher Certification

Upon successful completion of a school-based program, students will be eligible to apply for the University’s recommendation for New York state certification. The state requires applicants to have passing scores on each of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE): the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the appropriate Content Specialty Tests (CSTs). The state will not issue certification to individuals not receiving passing scores on all New York examinations. In addition to pedagogical studies, the Commissioner’s Regulations require that all school-based programs provide students with instruction for the purpose of  identification of child abuse and maltreatment; fire and arson prevention; prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse; School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE); and highway and school safety/prevention of child abduction. No degrees will be conferred without the completion of all of these requirements. Please contact the Office of Certification and Educational Support Services for information regarding fingerprinting, examinations and seminars.