Chemistry Department
Gregory Phelan, chair
Bowers Hall, Room 342
607-753-4323
Fax: 607-753-5928
Email: chemistry.department@cortland.edu

Adolescence Education: Science
Rena Janke, co-coordinator
607-753-2907
Sean Nolan, co-coordinator
607-753-5670

Overview

What's "inside" everything that makes up the world we know? What systems govern the structure and function of all forms of matter? Such are the questions that excite you as a scientist who studies chemistry. You want to light the fire of enthusiasm in the next generation of scientific explorers. With your undergraduate degree in chemistry or a closely related field, you can pursue your love of teaching "the central science" by studying for the M.A.T. in adolescence education: chemistry (7-12) at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

Enhance your content knowledge through graduate courses in chemistry as you immerse yourself in learning about successful classroom teaching. In your introduction to adolescence education and advanced developmental psychology, you'll explore the nature of the adolescent learner. Through courses in literacy development, language acquisition and science teaching methodology, you'll develop teaching strategies that work best with students whose ability, motivation and interests differ widely. In your field experiences and student teaching, you'll work in public school science classrooms with veteran teachers who support your integration of educational theory with the best teaching practices.

Culminating Experience

In addition to fulfilling specific requirements for the degree established by the Chemistry Department, you'll complete a culminating master's project.

Career Potential

When you earn the M.A.T. in adolescence education: chemistry (7-12), you will have fulfilled the New York State Education Department's requirements for initial certification in chemistry for grades 7-12.

 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 chemistry 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. Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues who can speak to the candidate's preparation and competence for teaching science in grades 7-12 (submitted online with the application).
4. New York State mandates that all SUNY teacher preparation programs adopt college entrance assessments for admissions consideration.  Anyone submitting an application for admission is required to submit scores for either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), with a minimum score of 375, or Miller Analogies Test (MAT), with a minimum score of 425.

Admissions Criteria

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

1. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale)
2. 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
3. At least 30 credit hours of course work in chemistry
4. Introductory biology and geology (totaling at least three semesters)
5. At least eight credit hours of introductory physics

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.