Modern Languages Department
Timothy Gerhard, chair
Colleen Kattau, graduate coordinator
Old Main, Room 228

607-753-4303
Fax:

607-753-5965

Overview

Expand and share global awareness by enhancing your ability to speak another language and gain greater insight into its culture. Build on the solid foundation of your bachelor’s degree and competency in a foreign language or in ESL with a master’s degree in second language education at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

With the guidance of our expert faculty in modern languages, you will study methods of second language teaching, integration of technology in the classroom, theory and research in second language acquisition, and linguistics. The M.S.Ed. concentration areas we offer that require initial certification are English as a Second Language (ESL), French and Spanish. We also offer an ESL non-certification master’s degree.

English as a Second Language [SLED _ESL]

This concentration immerses you in developing practical techniques, methods and materials for teaching ESL. You also will study English grammar in the context of TESOL, investigate adolescent language development and explore bilingual and multicultural education. In addition, you may choose program-related electives such as literacy and reading in middle and secondary schools or teaching special education learners in general education classrooms. This concentration area leading to certification requires you to complete 50 hours of field observation as part of your course work. 

French [SLED _FRE]

You will explore teaching French and Francophone civilization and culture, as well as French and Francophone literature. Through special seminar topics in French, such as cinema, poetry, theater and translation, you will further your knowledge of French and Francophone language and culture. 

Spanish  [SLED-SPA]

Your choice of the Spanish concentration engages you with important issues relating to Hispanic civilization and Spanish literature. In seminar settings, you will explore teaching Spanish and Latin American literature and study Hispanic narrative, poetry, theater and cinema, thus gaining a more in-depth knowledge of cultural production in Spain and the Americas. 

Each concentration requires you to complete 50 hours of field observation and a K-12 ESL student-teaching experience.

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling the specific requirements for state certification, including passing scores on the appropriate Content Specialty Test, each concentration requires you to complete a comprehensive examination.

Career Potential

The accredited M.S.Ed. in second language education certification from SUNY Cortland, will further prepare you to teach in many settings in New York state or pursue careers in international business and other professions.

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
   Note: Candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor's degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program.

Admissions Criteria

Minimum admissions criteria include:

1. An undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher
2. Passing score on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and the Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (ATS-W)
3. Documentation of provisional or initial certification in the following:
   • French or Spanish at the secondary level for those candidates choosing either of these concentrations.
   • For those choosing the ESL concentration: Languages Other Than English (LOTE), English or a related liberal arts major at the secondary level, or elementary education with a concentration in LOTE or an approved related field.

Language Requirement

To be a candidate for the M.S.Ed. in Second Language Education: English as a Second Language (K-12), you must demonstrate competency in a foreign language by completing college-level study or the equivalent of a language other than English to the fourth semester level (intermediate II, 202).

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 availability.