Modern Languages Department
Paulo Quaglio, chair
Colleen Kattau, graduate coordinator
Old Main, Room 228
607-753-4303
Fax: 607-753-5965

Overview

Second language education allows you to build on the solid foundation of your bachelor's degree in a foreign language, English, linguistics, anthropology or sociology, education, speech or a related area. You also can expand your global awareness and enhance your professional credentials when you enroll in the M.S.Ed. in second language education: non-certification program 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 English as a Second Language (ESL) non-certification program 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.

An additional student teaching experience is not required for the non-certification program.

Culminating Experience

A comprehensive examination completes your program.

Career Potential

With the non-certification M.S.Ed. in second language education from SUNY Cortland, you are prepared to teach English as a second language abroad in many settings or at a tertiary institution. You also may enjoy teaching English in adult education programs or to new immigrants and in citizenship programs within local community centers, colleges and universities across the United States.

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 Admission Office
   Note: Candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor's degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program.
3. New York State mandates that all SUNY teacher preparation programs adopt college entrance assessments for admissions consideration.  Effective August 31, 2015 - anyone submitting an application for admission is required to submit scores for either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).

Admissions Criteria

Minimum admissions criteria include:

• An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).
• Recommendation of an undergraduate degree/major in one of the following areas:
  • a foreign language
  • English
  • linguistics
  • anthropology/sociology
  • education
  • speech or a related area.

Language Requirement

As a candidate for the M.S.Ed. in Second Language Education: English as Second Language (Non-certification), 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.