Childhood Education 1-6–M.S.E.D., Initial Certification Program

Program Descriptions

The MSED Programs leading to Initial Teacher Certification in either Childhood or Adolescence are full-time or part-time programs. The programs will admit 20 students (10 Childhood and 10 Adolescence) in each admission cycle. This program is intended for candidates who desire to make a career change.

Application Requirements

Candidates seeking admission to the Master of Science in Education Childhood or Adolescence Education leading to initial certification must hold a BA or BS degree in one of the academic areas of English, Foreign Language, Social Studies, History, Mathematics, or one of the Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, or Physics) or have the transcripted equivalent of a major in one of the above fields. For the Master of Science in Childhood Education candidates will be considered who have a liberal arts background that meets NCATE standards that includes a minimum of 12 cr of English, 12 cr of Social Studies, 10 cr of Natural Sciences, and 8 cr of Mathematics. For both programs content area course work may be required as a prerequisite and must be completed prior to Degree Candidacy. The NYS Content Specialty Test (CST) must be taken in the semester after all content course work is completed and prior to Degree Candidacy.

Further, all applicants must provide evidence of having the equivalent of one college year (6 cr college level or 4 years high school) of a language other than English. A computer language does not meet this requirement, but American Sign Language does. Applicants who lack an introductory course in Child Psychology (for Childhood applicants) or Adolescent Psychology (for Adolescence applicants) must satisfy this prerequisite. Students must complete the NYS certification workshops SSHS 1020, Safe Schools, Healthy Students.

All applications must include the following materials:

1. Completed application form – Parts I and II
2. An official transcript for all undergraduate and graduate work.
3. Two letters of recommendation: One from a college Professor and a second from a work supervisor.
4. Minimum grade index of 2.70. If the index is 2.69 or below, the score from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), (General Aptitude) or Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT) must be submitted with the application materials. To be considered, an applicant must score in the Fiftieth percentile or better.
5. Attendance at a Program Information Meeting. There are two meetings scheduled prior to the deadline for completing the program planning. To schedule a time contact the Curriculum and Instruction Department at 315-312-4052 or email cigrad@oswego.edu.
6. Completion of the NYS Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) certification exam.
7. Applicants to Adolescence 7-12: French, Spanish or German must complete the Oral Language Inventory (OLI).

Application materials are due by March 1 for summer and fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. All applicants will be reviewed at one time following the admission deadlines. Completed applications received after the closing dates will be reviewed in the next application period.

Degree Candidacy

Students accepted to the MSED-Childhood or Adolescence certification program must apply for Degree Candidacy after completing 12 to 18 cr of their program; any course work taken in excess of 18 cr is liable to forfeiture. A GPA of 3.0 or better is required to qualify for degree candidacy status. Submit the completed candidacy application to the Graduate Office; the application and a current transcript is forwarded to the advisor. Students will then receive a letter advising them of their status.