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 institutional recommendation of an extension of your 7-12 certificate to include grades 5 and 6 for physics.

Graduate Admissions

Evaluation Policy

At the State University of New York College at Cortland we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.

Required Materials

1. Completed online Graduate School Application - Apply Now
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office indicating a major in physics or functionally related area.
   Note: Candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor’s degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program.
3. Evidence of pending or awarded initial/provisional certification or a certificate of qualification for provisional certification issued by the New York State Education Department to teach physics in grades 7-12.
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 (submitted online with the application)

Admissions Criteria

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

1. An overall undergraduate GPA of 2.7 and above on a 4.0 scale in all courses, in the major, and in related areas of science and mathematics
2. At least 30 credit hours of course work in the area of certification

Deadlines

Fall semester applications: July 1
Spring semester applications: Dec. 1
Summer semester applications: April 1

Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (607) 753-4800 to check on availability.