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

Adolescence Education: Social Studies (7-12) [SSA] M.S.Ed. - Geography Concentration


Geography Department
Scott Anderson, chair
Old Main, Room 138
(607) 753-4107
Fax: (607) 753-4114

Overview

How do the earth’s physical features affect our lives, our economies and our societies? What’s the impact of location on the world’s people, cultures, education and business? In what ways are geography and history related? Help inspire the next generation of geographers when you study for the M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: social studies (7-12) - geography concentration at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

Under the guidance of a dedicated faculty mentor, you will enjoy small graduate-level reading and writing seminars in geography augmented with online components. As you immerse yourself in the writing, scholarship and history of the profession, you will explore the expanse of human geography and develop a research paper addressing one of its many aspects, including cultural, historical, economic, political, feminist or urban, among others.

You may focus on topics such as the effects of the Erie Canal on the growth of New York state and the nation, the Underground Railroad, mapping Civil War battles, the northward movement of African-Americans during the Great Migration, alternative energy or environmental issues.

Through course work that combines content and pedagogy in courses such as Maps in the Classroom, Historical Geography, Teaching the Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa, Teaching the Geography of New York State, Teaching Geography through Film or GIS in the K-12 Classroom, you’ll enhance your instructional skills and your professional expertise.

If you hold an undergraduate degree in history, the study of geography rounds out your educational background. If you hold a bachelor’s degree in geography, our history-oriented courses increase your competence in teaching social studies in middle schools and high schools.

Our flexible scheduling offers you classes that begin at 4:20 p.m. to accommodate your work schedule.

Culminating Experiences

In addition to completing any specific requirements for state certification, you’ll write a culminating master’s thesis or sit for a written comprehensive exam based on work taken in the concentration and on your professional education.

Career Potential

The M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: social studies (7-12) - geography concentration from SUNY Cortland provides you with the terminal master’s degree required for professional certification to teach social studies, history and geography in the public schools of New York state. In addition to teaching at the secondary level or pursuing a Ph.D., your expanded career options include working in libraries and museums, public services, social work, urban planning, state and federal civil service, business and political science.

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 a M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: social studies (7-12):

  1. A resume
  2. A letter stating educational and professional goals.
  3. Official transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  4. Documentation of an initial/provisional certificate, or a certificate of qualification for initial or provisional certification, in adolescence/secondary or elementary social studies issued by the New York State Education Department.
  5. A minimum of 18 credit hours in geography or history and a minimum of 21 credit hours combined in geography and history. Under special circumstances this requirement may be reduced.
  6. At least a 2.7 grade point average in the undergraduate social science major and at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
  7. Two letters of recommendation with at least one from an instructor in the student’s undergraduate social science major or concentration.
  8. Approval of the Social Studies Graduate Committee.

Note: You must have at least a B average in your first six hours of course work in order to be admitted to candidacy for the degree.

Apply for the M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: social studies (7-12) - geography concentration.

Program Requirements (Alteration to existing program pending SUNY and NYSED approval)


Note: It is best to check with the History Department for changes to the requirements stated below.

A. Geography Concentration: 18 credit hours


1. Research and Writing Seminar: Three credit hours


2. Trends in the Discipline: Three credit hours


3. Courses Combining Content and Pedagogy: Nine credit hours


Select nine credit hours of geography courses at the 500 level from the following:

4. Electives: Three credit hours


Select three credit hours of geography at the 500 or 600 level.

5. C.A.R.R. and SAVE


Proof of completion of state-mandated workshops.

B. Cognate Social Science: Six credit hours in history or geography


  • Students concentrating in geography must choose a history course combining content and pedagogy at the 500 level; and an elective course in history at the 500 or 600 level.

C. Professional Education: Six credit hours


D. Culminating Activity: One credit hour


Additional Requirements


A new state regulation, effective Fall 2011, requires three credit hours on the subject of teaching students with disabilities. Other requirements for the award of the degree may be determined by the Geography Department and must be ascertained by the student in consultation with a department graduate advisor.

Total Credit Hours Required: 31