Childhood Education Program, M.S.T.

Program Area Coordinator:
Dr. Maureen Squires, 518-564-5134
Email: msqui001@plattsburgh.edu 
Sibley Hall, Room 206

See Teacher Education Unit  for faculty listing.

The Program

The Master of Science for Teachers (M.S.T.) program is for students who wish to become NYS teacher certified through a graduate education program. The M.S.T. Childhood Education program is a 51 credit hour* program leading to initial New York state certification for grades 1-6.

* Applicants may have to complete additional undergraduate courses in their content area and/or undergraduate liberal arts courses prior to matriculation.

Students with a B.S. or B.A. in education who hold a New York state Education Department provisional or initial certificate in elementary education should apply to the M.S.Ed. Teaching and Learning, Special Education, or Literacy programs.

For the shared vision and program themes of the professional education faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh, see Teacher Education Unit in the Academic Departments, Center, and Major Programs section of this catalog.

Students wishing to pursue this program at SUNY Plattsburgh’s Branch Campus at Queensbury see Branch Campus in the Regional, Local, and Campus overview section of this catalog for additional information.

Admission Requirements

The application deadline for fall or summer matriculation is February 15th. Late applications may be considered. Admission to the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh is granted without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or handicap.

Admission requirements include:

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in a subject matter major appropriate to SUNY Plattsburgh’s undergraduate teacher education programs. Any differences in the content concentration requirements as listed in the current undergraduate catalog must be made up prior to admission.
• A successful score on the MAT or GRE.
• Completion of six credits or equivalent in English, math, and social studies, and seven credits in science with no grade lower than a B. These SED mandates must be completed prior to matriculation. (Retaking/or taking undergraduate courses will not raise existing cumulative GPA)
• Demonstration of literacy skills and potential for success through a written statement of purpose.
• Three recommendations indicating the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study. At least 2 of the recommendations should be from college faculty.
• A completed M.S.T. Preparatory Worksheet obtained from the office of Graduate Admissions and approved by program area faculty prior to matriculation.
• Attendance at an on-campus interview, if invited.

Additional details may be found at www.plattsburgh.edu/academics/education/childhood/master.php.

Monitoring of Student Progress

Upon acceptance into the M.S.T. program, the student is assigned to a faculty advisor who guides the student’s progress through the program. Course instructors evaluate students’ academic and professional development throughout the program to ensure that students meet high standards. Students are expected to behave in ways that are consistent with commitment to professional and ethical behavior, academic excellence and diligence, and dedication to the teaching profession throughout their graduate programs. Faculty will review any deviations and will recommend action or dismissal from the program.

If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 or if the student fails to meet standards for professional behavior, the student may be dismissed from the program. Students who exhibit deficiencies in professional behavior and/or teaching performance, regardless of GPA, may be subject to dismissal from the program.

Student Teaching Requirements

Student teachers test ideas, assume responsibility, and develop competencies in performing the role of a teacher. At the beginning of every spring semester, ALL students qualified to student teach during the following fall or spring semesters must attend a mandatory student teaching application session. SUNY Plattsburgh operates student teaching field experience centers in various geographic areas, extending from the Canadian border to Malone and south to the Glens Falls, Albany, and New York City regions. Student teaching assignments are limited to these geographic regions. With the exception of New York City, students may be required to relocate to any of these regions. All placements are arranged by the Office of Field Experience and Student Teaching. 

Students in the M.S.T. Childhood Education program must meet the following requirements to qualify for admission to student teaching:

• Health Education Requirement: New York State Education Law mandates that all teacher candidates complete instruction in Substance Abuse, Child Abuse and Neglect, and School Violence Prevention and Intervention. EDU 5110  satisfies these requirements.
• The Dignity for all Students Act (DASA) mandates that all teacher candidates complete the six hour coursework in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention. Of these six hours, three must be face to face. EDU 5110   satisfies this graduation and certification requirement.
• Foreign Language Requirement: All teacher education students must complete a two-semester beginning-level sequence, or its equivalent, in French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Russian, any other modern foreign language, or American Sign Language taken at an accredited institution of higher education. For further details, see the chairperson of the Modern Languages and Cultures Department  or the graduate advisor.
• Attendance in the spring semester (1 to 2 semesters prior to student teaching) at a mandatory student teaching application session;
• Completion of the appropriate student teaching application form and all other required data forms;
• Certification by a physician that the student is apparently free from physical and mental conditions which might prevent the student from participating in the senior field experience;
• Certification by the Dean of Students that the student’s standing in the college community (as reflected in her/his conduct) is such as to ensure reasonable effectiveness in pupil, faculty and community relations;
• Completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; and
• Have attained a grade of B or higher in all courses in the M.S.T. program.

NOTE: No other courses can be taken during student teaching.

See additional information about student teaching and teacher certification in the Teacher Education Unit  section of this catalog.