Contact Persons:
For application and enrollment information, contact:
Peter Cutler, Graduate Admissions Counselor
Satterlee 117, (315) 267-2165, or 1-800-458-1142, ext. 1
(graduate@potsdam.edu)
For program information, contact:
Sandy Chadwick, Program Coordinator
Satterlee 201, (315) 267-2502 (chadwisc@potsdam.edu)
The Master of Science in Teaching Childhood Education program (Grades 1-6) has been designed to meet certification regulations of The New York State Education Department as well as the standards of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). This program is nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). The program leads to Initial Childhood (grades 1–6) certification.
Requirements for Admission
- Artistic Expression (a minimum of 3 credit hours to include two of the following areas: music, visual art, dance and drama)
- Communications (6 credit hours)
- Concepts in History (3 credit hours)
- Humanities (3 credit hours in Children’s Literature)
- Language other than English (6 credit hours)
- Mathematical Processes (6 credit hours)
- Pedagogy (3 credit hours in human or child development)
- Science Processes (6 credit hours from two areas, one with a lab)
- Social Studies (6 credit hours from two areas)
Additional Degree Information
Candidates are strongly encouraged to review the Policies and Procedures in the Graduate Catalog, focusing on the specific information related to education programs.
Candidates may complete most, but not all, of their degree requirements in the Watertown area.
All degree candidates are required to successfully complete a Culminating Experience in the School of Education and Professional Studies designed to synthesize their academic experiences. GRED 669 Professional Development Performance Portfolio completed during the Student Teaching semester satisfies this requirement.
While not required for degree completion, candidates are required to complete all New York State teaching requirements to be eligible for certification. This will include completion of HLTH 230 School Health (CA, SAVE) (2 credits) and passing all applicable New York State Teacher Certification Exams.
Student progress is carefully monitored throughout the program based on demonstration of appropriate knowledge, skills and dispositions. Students are provided with information on program expectations in their first semester. Students not making satisfactory progress will be counseled by their adviser and may be dropped from the program.
Course Requirements
A minimum of 47 credit hours with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher is required for the granting of the Master of Science in Teaching, Childhood degree. Additionally, candidates will complete HLTH 230 (2 credits) to satisfy certification requirements for a total of 49 credit hours. The 49 credit hours are divided as follows:
| Required Courses | 27 |
| GRED 530 Classroom Management and Discipline | 3 |
| GRED 558 Literacy I: Methods (Childhood) | 3 |
| GRED 559 Literacy II: Methods (Childhood) | 3 |
| GRED 565 Elementary Mathematics: Content and Methods | 3 |
| GRED 566 Elementary Science: Content and Methods | 3 |
| GRED 567 Elementary Social Studies: Content and Methods | 3 |
| GRED 607 Foundations of Education (B–6) | 3 |
| GRED 664 Practicum in Childhood Education | 3 |
| SPED 505 Introduction to Special Education OR another advisor approved Special Education course | 3 |
| Education Elective | 3 |
| One graduate education course selected with prior advisor approval | |
| Certification Requirement | 2 |
| HLTH 230 School Health (CA, SAVE) | 2 |
| Student Teaching and Culminating Experience | 17 |
| GRED 613 Teaching Internship, Grades 1-3 | 6 |
| GRED 669 Professional Development Performance Portfolio | 3 |
| GRED 676 Student Teaching Seminar: Policies and Practice in American Education | 2 |
| GRED 696 Teaching Internship, Grades 4-6 | 6 |
| Total credit hours | 49 |
Full-time Sample Schedule for MST Childhood Education | |
| Term I GRED 530 GRED 558* GRED 567 GRED 607* Graduate Elective HLTH 230 | |
| Term II GRED 559 GRED 565 SPED 505 GRED 566 GRED 664 (Practicum) | |
| Term III (Student Teaching) GRED 613 GRED 669 GRED 676 GRED 696 | |
| * Must be taken in first semester | |
Candidates considering part-time study should contact the advisor. Students may elect to complete the HLTH 230 requirement in either the first or second academic term.
For application and enrollment information, contact:
Peter Cutler, Graduate Admissions Counselor
Satterlee 117, (315) 267-2165, or 1-800-458-1142, ext. 1 (graduate@potsdam.edu)