The M.S.T. is designed to begin in the spring or fall and continue through the following spring or fall for a total of 51 credit hours, including both summer sessions.

This is a full-time program that requires field experiences in schools each semester. On completion of the courses, college requirements, and state requirements detailed below, graduates will receive a master’s degree and New York State Initial Certification in Childhood Education.

Career Potential

• Elementary school teacher

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of M.S.T. Graduate Program Application submitted to the Graduate Studies Office
2. An interview with graduate programs representative
3. B.A. or B.S. in a liberal arts area from a regionally accredited college
4. Approved concentration of 36 hours in a liberal arts area
5. Minimum of two undergraduate courses in each of the following areas: English, social studies (history, geography, economics, political science, sociology), mathematics and science, as well as general preparation in the following areas: physical education, fine arts and career and occupational studies
6. Foreign language: Successful completion of one year of college-level study of a language other than English or the equivalent. More information is available under Teacher Certification Information  for alternate ways of meeting this requirement.
7. Child psychology course
8. Basic competency in technology (computing) as determined by the students’ records and experiences
9. Strong academic record, demonstrated by a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better, GRE scores, or other standard test scores, indicating the ability to do graduate-level work
10. Letter of introduction (writing sample) that includes a self-description, background of experiences, and goals
11. Resume
12. Application to the SUNY Cortland Teacher Education Program

Graduation Requirements

1. Completion of all required courses in the M.S.T. program, including the master’s project.
2. Overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the M.S.T. program.
3. Appropriate teaching dispositions

New York State Certification Requirements

1. Health Education Course that fulfills state mandate (e.g. Health 265)
2. Passing score on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
3. Passing score on the Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (ATS-W)
4. Content Specialty Test (CST)
5. Child Abuse Identification and Reporting workshop
6. School Violence Prevention and Intervention workshop