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):
- A resume
- A letter stating educational and professional goals.
- Official transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- 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.
- 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.
- At least a 2.7 grade point average in the undergraduate social science major and at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
- Two letters of recommendation with at least one from an instructor in the student’s undergraduate social science major or concentration.
- 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.