Admission Critera

Admission to the M.S. 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. Students 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

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
2. Communication
3. Information Retrieval
4. History
5. Social Science Concepts
6. Philosophy
7. Language other than English
8. Scientific Processes
9. Mathematical Processes
10. Written Analysis and Expression
11. Cross-Cultural Appreciation

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. Students must receive a grade of B or higher in all required non-elective courses in the program.

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 need. Students in SPED 210 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. An electronic 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 5-year period.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Footnotes