The 4+1 Program in Philosophy and Education allows SUNY Cortland students to complete a BA in Social Philosophy and an MST in Education in just five years. With just one additional year of coursework, students in the program graduate as certified teachers, able to teach grades 1-6. An advantage of this alternative way into elementary teaching is that upon completion of the BA and MST the newly qualified teacher does not need to complete another Master's Degree.

In addition to courses for the major in Social Philosophy students will complete the prerequisites for admission into the MST. The prerequisites include:

• Two courses in each : English, Social Studies, Math, and Science
• A concentration of 18-24 credits (effectively a minor) in one of the following: English, Social Studies, Math, or Science
• A course in each : Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Health
• A course in Child Psychology
• A course in Foundations of Education
• Competency in technology

Students in the program will apply to the MST graduate program in their final year of coursework.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Social Philosophy BA program, students will be able to:

1. Judge and interpret texts critically
2. Construct and write logical philosophical arguments
3. Identify and classify the significant conceptual and ethical dimensions of diversity, pluralism and marginality
4. Understand, interpret and judge the significant issues of social justice and peace
5. Interpret and identify the major works of the global canon of philosophy

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Childhood Education (1-6) MST program, students will be able to:

1. Apply and promote their knowledge of child development, learning, and learning environments to support each and every child's/student's development and learning.
2. Develop authentic and meaningful relationships with families and utilize understanding of the communities in their field experience sites for planning and instruction.
3. Engage in authentic assessment practices, including for planning, to engage and support each and every child/student and their families.
4. Create and utilize developmentally effective approaches, educational technology, instruction, and classroom environments, to support each and every child/student's learning.
5. Apply their accurate use of content knowledge to develop meaningful, developmentally appropriate, engaging, and culturally responsive curriculum and learning environments for each and every child/student
6. Develop and demonstrate professionalism, guide decisions based on ethical standards and advocate for children and families in the field, collaborate with colleagues to support each and every child/student, and engage as a lifelong learner.

Minimum Average Requirement for MST

The MST degree will not be awarded to students who have lower than a 3.0 grade point average, both in the courses offered for the degree and in all graduate courses completed at SUNY Cortland.

Students enrolled in the MST program are required to maintain a minimum 2.8 cumulative grade point average in graduate work and will be dismissed from the College if they do not maintain the minimum average. Notification of dismissal will be made in writing by the dean's office. No grade below C will be counted toward the MST.

Click here for additional requirements:

• Graduate Admissions Process
• Admissions Criteria
• Application Deadlines
• Student Teaching Eligibility

For more information, visit the Philosophy Department.