Ottawa Program

Program Description

The MST degree, leading to Ontario certification in the Primary/Junior Division levels is a part-time program offered over a three-year period by the State University of New York at Potsdam to the residents of Ontario on the site of the Derry Byrne Education Centre in Ottawa.

The program has been approved by the Ministry of Education and is consistent with the Ontario College of Teachers Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession, Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession, and the Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum Policies.

Requirements for Full Admission

1. Submission of an official transcript of an earned baccalaureate degree in an appropriate academic discipline from an accredited college or university.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in the most recent 60 semester hours of undergraduate study (based on a scale of A=4.0).
3. A letter of intent written by the applicant expressing professional goals as applied to the program.
4. Submission of three letters of recommendation, including one which focuses on teaching potential and two from previous professors, if possible, which focus on academic ability.
5. A non-refundable processing fee of $50 (U.S. funds).
6. Successful completion of prerequisite academic courses with a GPA of at least 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in each of the required areas.

Important Dates

The application and all other required documents must be received by April 1. If accepted into the program, the student’s signed letter of acceptance is due by July 2.

Childhood Instruction Program Prerequisites

• Artistic Expression – at least three credit hours in coursework related to dance, music, theater, and visual arts.
• Communications – at least six credit hours in coursework related to listening, reading, writing (composition), speaking (public), information retrieval, critical analysis, expression, and evaluation.
• Concepts in history – at least three credit hours in coursework related to Canadian history, world history, and history of Ontario.
• Social Studies – at least six credit hours, from two different areas, in coursework related to geography, economics, civics, citizenship, and government.
• Humanities – at least three credit hours in coursework related to Children’s Literature.
• Language other than English – at least six credit hours in coursework related to modern languages.
• Science Processes – at least six credit hours from two different areas, including one with a lab, in coursework related to physical and life sciences.
• Math Processes – at least six credit hours in coursework related to number sense and numeration, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, patterning and algebra, data management and probability.
• Technology – at least three credit hours in coursework related to engineering design, tools, resources, and technological processes, computer technology, technological systems, history and evaluation impact, and management.

The prerequisites may be taken prior to enrollment (as part of the candidate’s undergraduate work or after its completion) or concurrently with the proposed program. All prerequisites must be completed prior to the student teaching semester. Students should seek prerequisite course approval prior to enrolling in any such course.

Contact Information

Projected Course of Study (55 credits)

Fall 2008 (6 credits)

Spring 2009 (6 credits)

Summer 2009 (5 credits)

Fall 2009 (6 credits)

Spring 2010 (6 credits)

Summer 2010 (6 credits)

Fall 2010 (6 credits - includes 100-clock hours of field experience)

Spring 2011 (14 credits - a full-time commitment)