SUNY Potsdam

Contact Person:
Joanne Stiles, Clinical Faculty
213 Satterlee, (315) 267-2961 (stilesjm@potsdam.edu)

The MST Adolescence Education Program for teaching English is designed to meet the teacher education regulations of  the New York State Education Department, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), as well as Advisory Board recommendations and alumni feedback. The program leads to Initial/Professional Adolescence Education, English (grades 7–12) certification. This program is nationally recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). 

Requirements for Admission

1. This program is intended for candidates who do not hold a teaching certificate and who seek to earn Initial certification for teaching English in Adolescence Education (grades 7–12).
2. An undergraduate major comparable to a SUNY Potsdam undergraduate major in English (a minimum of 36 credits, excluding freshman composition), as well as six credits of a foreign language, is required for admission. A review of the candidate’s transcript will determine the need for completion of prerequisite courses.
3. A minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0).
4. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 in the English major.
5. 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, etc.).
6. Candidates are strongly advised to consult with the department chair concerning their degree completion plans and the appropriate semester to begin their study.

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. 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. In this program GRED 671 Developing a Professional Portfolio, will fulfill the Culminating Experience requirement.

While not required for degree completion, candidates are required to complete all New York State teaching requirements to earn initial certification. This will include completion of HLTH 230 School Health (CA, SAVE)
(2 credits) and achieving passing scores on the following New York State Teacher Certification Exams: Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), Assessment of Teacher Skills–Written (ATS–W), and the Content Specialty Test: English (CST).

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.

Candidates may begin this program in the summer session only.

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, Adolescence Education, English 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:

*GRED 677 is required if the candidate’s undergraduate work does not include a course in developmental, adolescent or educational psychology. If the candidate has previously satisfied the GRED 677 requirement, then a second elective will be selected with prior advisor approval.

Full-time Sample Schedule