History Department
Randi Storch, chair
Kevin Sheets, graduate coordinator
Old Main, Room 222
(607) 753-2723
Fax: (607) 753-5598

Overview

Why do humans create and destroy? What can we learn from the remnants of past civilizations? How does information in the historical record help us create a better and brighter future? Explore these questions and more as you engage your love of history and pursue the M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: social studies (7-12) - history concentration at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

Expand your skills in historical reading and writing as you enjoy interacting with our outstanding faculty, who bring their excitement for history’s reach into enthusiastic exchanges in small classes. You’ll also benefit from interactions with your professional peers, most of whom already are teaching and can share their real-world classroom experiences.

Gain additional perspective from the guidance of our dedicated faculty mentors while conducting personally motivated research. Topics may range from women on the Oregon Trail or African Americans in the Civil War to issues in European or non-Western history such as the Holocaust and Latin American revolutionary movements. Internships may involve helping collectors with cataloging or projects at local historical societies and museums.

Take advantage of our flexible scheduling, with classes beginning at 4:20 p.m. to accommodate your current employment situation.

Culminating Experience

You’ll also write a master’s thesis or sit for a comprehensive written examination based on course work and mastery of the content and historical literature in your concentration or a combination of your concentration and a secondary field.

Career Potential

When you complete the M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: social studies (7-12) - history concentration at SUNY Cortland, you will achieve the terminal master’s degree required for permanent certification to teach adolescence social studies and history in the public schools of New York state. You may also choose to continue on to a Ph.D. program, and you’ll be well prepared for a career in a wide range of fields, including museums, archives, social work, library science, urban planning, public history, geography, political science, business, law or state and federal civil service.

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 history or geography and a minimum of 21 credit hours combined in history and geography. 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: Students must have at least a B average in their 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) - history concentration.