The Loading... program is a fully online program designed in accordance with the New York State Education Department’s certification regulations, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) standards, and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) standards, along with Advisory Board recommendations and alumni feedback. This program leads to Initial/Professional certification in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12), Science (biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics). Upon enrollment, instructors can guide you to the pathway of future dual certification.
What you will learn:
- Effective research-based teaching practices to make science and engineering exciting and accessible in the classroom.
- Core content knowledge and strategies to create engaging lesson plans in alignment with the New Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
- Techniques for helping students ask questions, conduct investigations, work with scientific models, and engage in meaningful scientific debate.
- Creative approaches for integrating technology into the teaching of science.
- Multiple opportunities to grow, take risks, and develop your own teaching philosophy.
- The perspectives and skills necessary to meaningfully connect science to the lives of students, ensuring that young people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds have equitable access to high quality science education.
Science teachers equip our citizens to make informed decisions about the socio-scientific issues we face in modern society.
The Fieldwork Experience:
- Completion of 100 hours of fieldwork experience in a local school prior to student teaching, gaining hands-on understanding of educational environments and innovative teaching strategies used in today’s classrooms.
- One semester of student teaching, including two distinct placements in the middle and high school level.
- A close relationship with your field supervisor, who is committed to offering the support and insight you need to reach your highest potential as an educator.
Unique Program Features:
- Student teaching placements frequently result in full-time employment upon graduation. Our faculty has a large network of contacts that lead to information about job opportunities, and our graduates regularly call for recommendations to fill positions.
- Hands-on experience working with middle school students in an afterschool science program, teaching mini-lessons, collaborating on projects and labs.
- Opportunities to attend the conference Science Teacher Association of NY State (STANYS) in Rochester, gaining valuable insight into the field.
- Small class sizes offer the opportunity to build close relationships with professors and fellow science teacher candidates. Students graduate with a cohort who provides support throughout their future careers
“I chose to enroll in SUNY Potsdam because I wanted to become a high school Physics teacher. Potsdam’s MST program meant that I could get my Master’s degree in record time, while I was still in school and not working full-time. The teaching principles I learned in the program have shaped me into the educator I am today.”
~ Brendan Burkhart '12
Program Contacts
Admissions / General Information
The Office of Graduate & Continuing Education
(800) 458-1142 / (315) 267-2165
Raymond Hall 206
graduate@potsdam.edu
www.potsdam.edu/graduate
Program-Related Information
Melissa Cummings
Professor / Practicum Supervisor
Satterlee 215C
(315) 267-2712
cumminma@potsdam.edu