2011-2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Adolescence Education: Physics (7-12) [APH] M.S.Ed.


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Physics Department
Brice Smith, chair
Bowers Hall, Room 342
(607) 753-2821
Fax: (607) 753-4973

Adolescence Education: Science
Rena Janke, co-coordinator
(607) 753-2907
Angela Pagano, co-coordinator
(607) 753-2309

Overview

With your initial certification to teach physics in hand, you now have the challenge of meeting the New York State Education Department’s requirements for professional certification. SUNY Cortland’s M.S.Ed in adolescence education: physics (7-12) will help you fulfill those requirements. Whether you choose to enroll in full-time graduate study or attend part time while you’re in your first years of teaching, the degree will give you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your knowledge of physics and other sciences while continuing to improve your teaching skills.

Program Highlights

Through advanced study in physics, you’ll expand on your subject-matter expertise. You’ll also engage in graduate-level course work in biology, chemistry and/or geology. You have two options for furthering your knowledge of adolescent learners and how to create and maintain a positive teaching-learning environment for science. 

Option I

You will extend your teaching skills through exploration of emerging teaching methodologies and resources. You will examine the social, historical, philosophical or psychological foundations of education. 

Option II

You will study the nature of the middle school adolescent learner and the teaching strategies that work best at that developmental level. You will earn a middle level extension of your physics 7-12 certificate to include grades 5 and 6 for physics.     

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling any specific degree requirements determined by the Physics Department, you will complete a culminating master’s project.

Career Potential

 With Option I, you'll qualify for SUNY Cortland's institutional recommendation for New York state's professional certificate for physics 7-12. With Option II, you'll qualify for an insitutional recommendation of an extension of your 7-12 certificate to include grades 5 and 6 for physics.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program stated in this catalog, you should present the following for enrollment in the program leading to an M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: physics (7-12):

  1. All undergraduate transcripts that reflect evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree in physics or functionally related subject area. The transcripts need to show at least 30 credit hours of course work in the area of the certification.
  2. Documentation of an initial/provisional certificate, or a certificate of qualification for provisional certification, to teach physics in grades 7-12 issued by the New York State Education Department.
  3. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 overall, in the major, and in related areas of science and math.
  4. Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues who can speak to the candidate’s preparation and competence for teaching physics in grades 7-12.
  5. An interview with the coordinator of adolescence education: science (7-12).

Apply for the M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: physics (7-12).

Program Requirements


A. Major: 12 credit hours


  • 12 credit hours in graduate physics

B. Related Areas of Science: Nine credit hours


  • Nine credit hours in biology, chemistry and/or geology

C. Pedagogy: Six credit hours


D. Culminating Master’s Project: Three credit hours


  • (3 cr. hr.)
  • Any student who receives an incomplete grade must register for SCI 697 Graduate Culminating Activity (1 cr. hr.) each subsequent semester until the master's project is completed, not to exceed one year.

E. Course in teaching students with disabilities: 0-3 credit hours


F. Award of the degree


  •  Award of the degree requires completion of all course work with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and in each of the three categories A, B, and C shown above.

Additional Requirements


Other requirements for the award of the degree may be determined by the departments concerned and must be ascertained by the student in consultation with the coordinator of adolescence education: science (7-12).

Note: Specific information regarding additional requirements for qualification for the professional certificate in New York state may be found at Teacher Certification .

Total Credit Hours Required: 30-33


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