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 meets the current  The New York State Education Department’s regulations on Teacher Education, the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) standards, and the National Science Teachers Association standards, and was developed based on 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 seek to earn certification for teaching science in Adolescence Education (grades 7–12).
   
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. Candidates will undergo a transcript review in order to determine the completion of prerequisites.
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 program 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 April 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 Program, Curricula 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 candidates are required to complete successfully a Culminating Experience (GRED 670) 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 enrollment in HLTH 230 School Health (CA, SAVE) and passing all applicable New York State Teacher Certification Exams: Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), Assessment of Teacher Skills–Written (ATS–W), and the Content Specialty Test (CST: Physics, Biology, Earth Science or Chemistry).

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, 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: