Admission Criteria

Applications for admission to a master of science in education program in the department of curriculum and teaching are made to the Graduate Admission Office. Students who do not fully meet admission requirements may be required to complete prerequisite courses concurrently with the completion of the master’s program requirements. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in all course work.
2. A GPA of 2.75 or higher in liberal arts and sciences course work.
3. Two letters of reference addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
4. Completion of General Education Core and Content requirements for teacher education programs (see below).
5. Interview with the director of the TESOL Program.
6. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
7. 12 semester hours of foreign language study or demonstrated proficiency in a second language.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate’s potential for success in the program. Candidates may wish to apply if they do not 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: 37

Field Experience Prior to Student Teaching

A minimum of 100 clock hours of participation/observation is required prior to student teaching. At least one field placement must be in a district identified as high-needs by the New York State Education Department. All field experiences are incorporated into course curricula. Placements are arranged by the Office of Field Placement. Departmental policy is to place prospective teachers in districts other than those in which they currently reside or in schools that they attended.

Participation/observation field experiences in designated schools are required in each of the following courses:

• CT 229 - Development and Learning in Childhood and Adolescence Semester Hours: 3

• Requires 20 hours in high-need schools, including placement with socioeconomically disadvantaged students (PreK-12).

• ELED 225 - Teaching English as a Second Language Semester Hours: 3

• 25 hours in settings with English Language Learners (grades PreK-6).

• LYST 213 - Introduction to Bilingual and Biliteracy Instruction for Children and Adolescents Semester Hours: 3

• 10 hours in varied settings with English Language Learners (grades PreK-12).

• SED 267 - Teaching English to Adolescent and Adult Speakers of Other Languages Semester Hours: 3

• 25 hours in settings with English Languages Learners (grades 7-12).

• SPED 264 - Inclusion in Today’s Schools Semester Hours: 3

• 20 clock hours in settings with students with special needs (grades PreK-12).

Student Teaching Prerequisites

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfaction of all General Education Core and Content requirements.
2. Completion of all course work for the Master of Science in Teaching of English as a Second Language with overall GPA of 3.0.
3. Completion of the 37 s.h. course requirements in the M.S. in Education program with no fewer than 31 s.h. in residence.
4. An electronic portfolio illustrating the student’s educational course work and professional accomplishments.
5. All course work taken in satisfaction of the degree requirements must have been completed within a five-year period.

Footnotes