Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2010-2011 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Elementary Education, M.S.Ed.


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Associate Professor Libresco, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-7704

The master’s program in elementary education is offered by the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership. This program leads toward the New York State Initial Certificate to teach Childhood Education (Grades 1-6). The program blends on-campus preparation with field experiences in a variety of elementary school settings, including high-needs schools, culminating in full-time student teaching. This program is registered with the New York State Education Department.

Admission Requirements



Admission to the M.S. in Education program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership is contingent upon the following:

  1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts and sciences concentration.
  2. A minimum GPA of 2.75 in each of two categories:
    1. Overall undergraduate course work
    2. Course work in the liberal arts and science
  3. General Education Core prerequisites for teacher education programs (see below).
  4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
  5. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and graduate course work.

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: 39



Elementary Education Major Requirements

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to remain 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.

Phase I - Semester Hours: 8


Admission to the Elementary Education Program

Phase III - Semester Hours: 9


Admission to Student Teaching

Field Experiences Before Student Teaching


Prospective teachers in the elementary education program complete a minimum of 120 clock hours (15 clock hours in each designated course) as participant observers in designated schools prior to student teaching. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. At least one placement in Grades 1-6 will be spent in a high-needs site recognized by the New York State Education Department. Students in SPED 264 will participate on-site with special-needs children in Grades 1-6. Field experiences before student teaching with children in Grades 1-3 and 4-6 are integrated with the following courses:

Student Teaching Prerequisites


  1. Program Phase II and General Education core must be completed prior to student teaching.
  2. Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Field Placement. Applications are due on May 1 for the succeeding spring semester and February 15 for the succeeding fall semester.
  3. Students must have a cumulative minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in graduate course work.

Graduation Requirements


  1. Completion of all requirements for the Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education with an overall GPA of 3.0.
  2. Completion of the 39 s.h. course requirements in the Master of Science in Education Elementary Education program.
  3. A comprehensive portfolio, illustrating the student’s education course work and professional accomplishments.
  4. A passing score on the departmental comprehensive examination or departmentally authorized equivalent (no degree credit).
  5. The completion of the master’s degree within a five-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements


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 fulfilling the required courses of study, the Commissioner’s Regulations mandate that all prospective teachers, pupil personnel and education leaders receive instructions regarding:
    1.     Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment.
    2.     Fire and Arson Prevention.
    3.     School Violence Prevention and Intervention.
    4.     Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Abuse.
    5.     Highway and School Safety/Prevention of Child Abduction.

New York State legislation also requires all persons seeking certification as special education teachers or school administrators working in special education to have training in the area of children with autism. All of these requirements must be completed before the conferral of the degree and recommendation for certification. Candidates for certification in New York state must also demonstrate satisfactory performance on the requisite state assessment. 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.

Footnote


*Fifteen clock hours of field work required in each designated course
**ELED 275 may be taken in substitution for ELED 202.

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