Curriculum and Instruction, MSED, Professional Certification

Major Information

The Master of Science in Education, Curriculum and Instruction program meets academic requirements for New York State Professional Certification for candidates entering with certification in the following areas:

• Adolescence (7-12) or Middle Childhood Specialist (5-9) in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, French, Spanish or German
• Art All Grades
• Childhood (1-6), Early Childhood (B-2), or Middle Childhood Generalist (5-9)
• Music All Grades
• Special Education

The Program

This Master’s degree program introduces candidates to topics and themes that P-12 teachers discuss, navigate, and build upon throughout their careers. Candidates will be guided to focus beyond individual relationships with their students and examine their roles as professionals in terms of a wider view of pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, data driven decision making, and professional development.

Candidates will also be introduced to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, whose mission is to strengthen the teaching profession and to improve student learning in America’s schools by establishing high standards for teachers. The NBPTS acknowledges high quality teachers by awarding them NBPT Certification. This program starts candidates on the path toward NBPT Certification.

In keeping with the SUNY Oswego School of Education Conceptual Framework, the MSED Curriculum and Instruction program strives to strengthen candidate’s knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the areas of content expertise, teaching practice, analytic reflection, productive collaboration, and timely leadership so that they can effectively develop authentic learning experiences and work for social justice in all of their professional activities.

Admission

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and hold, or be eligible for, a NYS Initial Certificate in one of the previously listed areas list (Also see Table of Requirements for Admission to Graduate Degree Programs  ).

The following materials must be submitted online to the Graduate Studies Office, oswego.edu/gradstudies. Applicants will be notified of the review committee’s decision within six weeks from the date the application is complete.

1. Program Advisement Form completed at a Program Advisement meeting. Schedule a meeting at www.oswego.edu/gradstudies and click on Program Advisement Meeting under “View Admission Requirement” or email cigrad@oswego.edu.
2. Graduate Application, including Education Essay and Purpose Statement
3. Official transcript for all undergraduate (cumulative 3.0 GPA is required) and graduate work. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 are welcome to apply, but you should explain in your Purpose Statement what skills /experiences you will bring to the program or any special circumstances that affected your GPA.
4. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for admission as mandated by New York State. Applicants may be conditionally admitted without scores, but test results must be submitted no later than ten days prior to the beginning of the semester
5. Submit a copy of a NYS initial teaching certificate in area of interest no later than ten days prior to the beginning of your program.
6. Two letters of recommendation (one from a college professor, and one from the student teaching experience or from a work supervisor) that speak to your potential for success in a graduate program
7. Current Resume

Degree Candidacy

Candidates accepted into the MSED Curriculum and Instruction program must apply for Degree Candidacy after completing 12–18 credits of the program. Any coursework taken in excess of 18 credits without candidacy is liable to forfeiture.A grade index of 3.00 or better is required to qualify for degree candidacy status. Submit the candidacy application to the Graduate Studies Office, 606 Culkin Hall; the application and a current transcript will be forwarded to the Curriculum and Instruction Department for review. Candidates will receive a follow-up letter advising them of their status and remaining requirements to be met.

Program Requirements

All candidates will complete the Pedagogical Core and Pedagogical Elective requirements.