SUNY Potsdam

Contact Persons:

For application and enrollment information, contact:
Graduate Admissions
Satterlee 114, (315) 267-2165 or 1-800-458-1142, ext. 1

For program information, contact:
Sandy Chadwick, Program Coordinator
Satterlee 201, (315) 267-2502 (chadwisc@potsdam.edu)

The Master of Science for Teachers 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.

This program is intended for candidates who do not hold a teaching certificate and seek to earn certification in Childhood Education (grades 1–6). Candidates will undergo a transcript review in order to determine the completion of prerequisites.

Candidates may begin enrollment in the fall, spring or summer terms.

Requirements for Admission

1. Submission of the Graduate Application with a $50 non-refundable application fee in U.S. funds
2. Submission of a typed Letter of Intent written by the candidate expressing the candidate’s professional goals as related to the MST program.
   
3. Submission of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, even if a degree was not earned.  Canadian students who have attended high school in Ontario must also forward an official high school transcript.  A bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 (A=4.0) is required in the most recent 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.
4. Submission of three letters of recommendation from persons who can provide information about the academic and teaching potential of the applicant (e.g., former or current professors, school administrators), using the required form.
5. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for details related to their prerequisite requirements.  Prerequisites may be completed prior to entering the program or concurrently with graduate courses.  All program prerequisites must be fully completed prior to the student teaching semester.  A minimum grade of 2.0 (C) in undergraduate courses or 3.0 (B) in graduate courses is required.  Candidates must have a minimum of 30 credit hours (of which at least 18 must be upper-division) in liberal arts subject areas appropriate for grades 1 – 6.  The following individual prerequisites are also required, some of which may be used to satisfy the liberal arts subject requirement:
   
   Childhood Education program prerequisites:

   • Artistic Expression (minimum of 3 credits to include two of the following:  music, visual art, dance and drama)
   • Communications (6 credits)
   • Concepts in History (3 credits)
   • Humanities (3 credits in children’s literature)
   • Language other than English (6 credits)
   • Mathematical Processes (6 credits, 3 of which can include statistics)
   • Pedagogy (3 credits in human or child development)
   • Science Processes (6 credits from two areas, one with a lab:  biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics)
   • Social Studies (6 credits from two areas)
   • School Health (2 credits with CA, SAVE workshops)

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 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 for Teachers, Childhood Education degree. The 47 credit hours are divided as follows:

Candidates considering part-time study should contact the advisor.

For application and enrollment information, contact:
Graduate Admissions
Satterlee 114, (315) 267-2165 or 1-800-458-1142, ext. 1