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 and mathematics 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 and mathematics (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 mathematics while continuing to improve your teaching skills.

Program Highlights

You’ll enhance your subject knowledge through graduate courses in physics and mathematics. Beyond course work in content, you’ll have two options to improve your pedagogical skills.

Option I   

Includes study in the use of technology as a teaching tool in the secondary mathematics classroom.

Option II   

You’ll study the nature of the middle school adolescent learner and the teaching strategies that work best at that developmental level. With this option, you’ll earn a middle-level extension of your 7-12 certificate to include grades 5 and 6 for physics and mathematics.

Culminating Experience

Beyond fulfilling specific degree requirements determined by the Physics Department, you’ll complete a culminating master’s project.

Assistantship Opportunity

To become more involved in the field while you study for your degree, review the description of the semester-long Mathematics Department graduate assistantship and additional information about graduate assistantships at SUNY Cortland.

Career Potential

With the M.S.Ed. in adolescence education: physics and mathematics (7-12), you can expand your capacity to teach middle school or high school physics and mathematics. You’ll also earn SUNY Cortland’s institutional recommendation for New York State’s professional certification in both physics and mathematics. 

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 and a major in mathematics 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 both physics and mathematics 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 and mathematics 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.