SUNY Potsdam

Grades 7-12

Contact Person:
William Doody, Program Coordinator
215 Satterlee, (315) 267-2530 (doodywj@potsdam.edu)

The Adolescence Education Program for teaching science is designed in accordance with the New York State Education Department’s certification regulations, the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) standards, and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) standards, along with Advisory Board recommendations and alumni feedback.  The program leads to Initial/Professional certification in Adolescence Education, Science (biology, chemistry, earth science or physics).

Requirements for Admission

1. This program is intended for candidates who do not hold a teaching certificate and who seek to earn certification for teaching Science in Adolescence Education (Grades 7–12).  Candidates will undergo a transcript review in order to determine the completion of prerequisites.
2. An undergraduate major comparable to a SUNY Potsdam undergraduate major in biology, chemistry, geology or  physics, as well as six hours of a foreign language, is required for admission.
3. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (A=4.0) in the most recent 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.
4. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 in the science 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.).  At least one letter must be from a college instructor in the candidate’s science major, and must be accompanied by the required assessment form (PDF).
6. This is a competitive program and allows 20 students to enroll annually.  Candidates are encouraged to apply early.  Notification of admission acceptances may not occur until March 1 and will continue until the program begins.
7. Candidates may enter the program in the summer term only.  Study begins with the required course GRED 672 Science, Curricula, Program and Standards.

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.

While not required for degree completion, candidates are required to complete all New York State teaching requirements to earn certification.  This will include completion of HLTH 230 School Health (CA, SAVE) (2 credits) and passing all applicable New York State Teacher Certification Exams: Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), Assessment of Teaching Skills–Written (ATS–W), and the Content Specialty Test (CST: Physics, Biology, Earth Science or Chemistry).  These are subject to change.

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, Adolescence Education, Science 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:

Full-time Sample Schedule

Summer I
GRED 556
GRED 557
GRED 672
SPED 505

Fall I Practicum
GRED 502
GRED 571
GRED 501
GRED 673
GRED 675

Spring I Student Teaching
GRED 676
GRED 676
GRED 692
GRED 697

Winterim or Summer II
GRED 555

Candidates considering part-time study should contact the program coordinator.

Note: Undergraduate students interested in pursuing one of the BA/MST options to secure certification in adolescence science education should contact the program coordinator or refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for details on this combined program.