Middle Childhood Education (5–9) General Science Teacher, M.A.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must have 15 credits in science. Students deficient in science credits may be accepted on condition that they complete additional coursework as recommended by the program coordinator of science education.
Applicants for initial certification take the Multi-subject New York State Content Specialty Test.

Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. A minimum GPA of 3.00 in graduate courses is required to maintain matriculation.

International applicants whose first language is not English and who did not receive the equivalent of a four-year U.S. undergraduate education from an institution where English is the official language of instruction, must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and arrange to have official score reports sent to the Office of Admissions. See the section, “Additional admission requirements for students with international credentials,” in the Graduate Bulletin or the program web page for more updated and complete information on minimum passing score requirements. At the discretion of the program, additional English courses may be required as a condition for admission.

General matriculation and admission requirements of the Division of Graduate Studies are in the section “Admission” of the Graduate Bulletin.

Degree Requirements (30–40 Credits)

Thirty to 40 credits are required for the degree depending on applicants’ qualifications. Students must complete 15 credits in courses in biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, physics, and general science.

Students who have not already completed 30 credits in the science discipline of specialization upon admission must take courses in that discipline until the 30-credit requirement has been met. Once the 30-credit requirement has been met, students may take additional course work in a science other than the discipline of specialization.

The program of study must be approved by the program head of middle school science education.

All required education courses and some education electives require permission for registration as indicated in the Schedule of Classes.

Each student is evaluated individually based upon prior experiences. Based upon this evaluation and current certification requirements of the New York State Education Department, courses in education or another department may be substituted for required courses with permission of the program head of middle school science education.

Middle childhood education with a specialization in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science leads to a Master of Arts in education and a New York State Professional Certificate in Middle Childhood Education with a specialization in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science (grades 5–9). Matriculation requirements for all three options below include an undergraduate major in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and environmental science or the equivalent.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Be prepared to pass NYSED teacher certification examinations in content area, pedagogy, and knowledge of students.
• Apply the ACTFL, CEC, NCSS, NCTE, NCTM, NSTA, and SHAPE Standards and the Next Generation Learning Standards to planning, instruction, and assessment for all students, including those of low SES, linguistic/cultural minorities, and those with IEPs.
• Design lessons and units of study that engage all students, including ELLs and students with IEPs, in doing, thinking, reasoning, speaking, and writing in the content areas.
• Incorporate community resources in culturally relevant units of study.
• Create classrooms that support social and emotional learning.
• Make plans for and use technological tools (e.g., communication and collaboration tools, adaptive devices, Web-based digital media) in instruction.
• Analyze instructional materials and assessments in order to identify linguistic and extra-linguistic demands and challenges of performance tasks in the content areas.
• Analyze and interpret whole-class interaction focusing on guiding techniques conducive to orchestrating meaningful, inclusive, and content-rich conversations.
• Analyze and interpret samples of student work and classroom data to identify different levels of student learning as well as typical errors and misconceptions.
• Conduct and use research in their own practices to improve learning and teaching.

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Application Deadline: May 15
• Spring Application Deadline: November 15, rolling admission

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Photocopy of New York State or other state teaching certificate
• Brief biographical statement of 500 to 1,000 words describing your reasons for pursuing the specific graduate program to which you are applying and your future professional goals.

Required Tests

• F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Fingerprint verification is required for work in New York City Department of Education schools if you already have fingerprint records or not. Follow these instructions.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Alexakos Konstantinos, Program Coordinator

2617 James Hall
E: alexakosk@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3869

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool