The Master of Arts in Teaching degree prepares candidates without a formal academic background in education for initial/professional certification in New York State in adolescence education, grades 7–12 (biology, chemistry, English, math, physics, social studies).

For those who would also like to be able to teach English Language Learners (ELLs) and culturally and linguistically diverse students, New York Institute of Technology offers an optional nine-credit bilingual extension. (To receive NYSED certification, you will need to independently pass the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) in addition to successfully completing the course requirements for this extension.)

Our program focuses on instructional planning and assessment, as well as the skillful integration of technology. The program will give you the skills and experience to teach diverse student populations in a variety of classroom settings. Each course includes assignments that connect to the 15 hours of field experience conducted in collaboration with middle and high schools in the candidate's local area. Our technology-infused program is offered in multiple formats (online, face-to-face, and blended) on a full-time or part-time basis. Program requirements for Initial/Professional Certification are 30 credits, but depending on the subject area in which you choose to teach, some prerequisites may be required.

Financial aid is available for qualified students enrolled in six credits or more.

Prerequisite Foundations for Master of Arts in Teaching Program (Initial/Professional Certification)

The Master of Arts in Teaching program is available face-to-face, hybrid, and completely online. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major or its equivalent (minimum of 30-credit concentration) in one of the following areas:

• English
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Math
• Social Studies
  

Candidates with less than 30 credits in these areas should speak with the program chairperson to review their academic record for potential qualifying options.

Candidates are also required to have a satisfactory command of spoken and written English. Applicants who are judged to have inadequate English language skills may be required to take undergraduate coursework to strengthen their language skills before continuing in the program. A structured interview may be part of the admission process.

Field Experience and Student Teaching
Field experience and student teaching provide candidates with substantial clinical practice prior to graduation and independent professional practice. Field experience is linked with course assignments and progresses from observation to participation to clinical practice. Teacher candidates observe in a school setting under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and complete an assignment linked to each required course. The field experience component of the program is a critical part of a candidate's professional development and provides opportunities for candidates and the faculty to assess the development of their professional skills and the application of their classroom learning.

Candidates who have completed 24 semester hours in the program may apply for student teaching. Applications must be submitted by March 1 for fall semester student teaching, and by October 1 for spring semester student teaching.

Student teaching placements are based on the semester schedule of the cooperating school and provide the teacher candidate the professional environment to observe, prepare instructional plans, and teach students under the guidance of a master teacher during student teaching. The teacher candidate is required to remain at the cooperating school five days per week commencing the first day of the school's semester through the final day of classes in the New York Institute of Technology semester.

During student teaching and within the college calendar, teacher candidates attend professional education seminars on campus or virtually as required by the College of Arts and Sciences. The demands of the student teaching placement require a five-day-a-week commitment for the professional semester. A student teaching orientation program and handbook provide additional information to the candidates at the beginning of the professional semester and student teaching experience.

The checklist for the admission requirements to student teaching can be obtained from the College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Field Experience and Student Teaching.

Course Requirements

The program is organized to build knowledge and skills through carefully developed course content and related field experience. It culminates with student teaching and the planning and implementation of a field project. The program of studies should be followed as designed; exceptions may only be made with approval of the program chairperson.

In addition to the courses and experiences above, candidates in the program must complete the following non-credit-required workshops:

• Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
• School Violence Prevention and Intervention
• First Aid
• Safety, Fire Prevention, and Safe Environment
• Dignity for All Students Act

Students graduating from this program are eligible for teaching certification once they have passed all required portions of the New York State Teacher Certification Exam (NYSTCE). Students may also apply for internship certification after completing 50 percent of the courses. Internship certification permits students to begin teaching while they complete their degrees.

Candidates seeking to add a certificate for bilingual education may take an additional nine credits (three courses). As part of the required clinical experience, candidates must complete college supervised field experiences of 50 hours within a bilingual setting. To receive NYSED certification, candidates will also need to pass the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) in addition to successfully completing the course requirements for this extension.

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Admission Requirements

• B.S. degree from an accredited college or university with a major or its equivalent (a minimum of 30 credits in a concentration) in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, English, math, physics, or social studies.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  
  • Students who have a GPA lower than 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission by the program chairperson.
• Satisfactory command of spoken and written English. Applicants who are judged to have inadequate English language skills may be required to take undergraduate coursework to strengthen language skills before continuing in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program.
• Candidates meeting the above requirements will participate in an interview with the program chairperson prior to a final admission decision.

Application Process

The completed online application form requires general contact information as well as information about undergraduate coursework and GPA. It is possible for you to begin an online application, save the initial information entered, and return at a later time to complete and submit the full materials.

• Online application
• Personal statement: Why do you want to become a secondary teacher?
• Two letters of recommendation (recent professional or academic)
• Immunization form
• $50 application fee
• Official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• International student requirements: English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE), I-20, and transcript evaluation

Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling admission basis, as long as space is available.

Special Note
New York education law now permits nonresident aliens to qualify for an initial license. Individuals with U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status may qualify for a permanent or professional New York State Teaching Certificate.

Read more at NYSED

Transfer Credit
Transfer credit from other accredited colleges and universities is accepted up to a maximum of six graduate semester hours. The courses to be transferred must be relevant to the program of study being pursued and have been received within five years of the date of the transfer request. Grades earned for the course must be 3.0 or higher, and the credit must not have been applied toward another degree. Pass grades earned during the spring 2020 semester meet this GPA threshold and are transferable to New York Institute of Technology. The official transcript must be submitted to the Office of Admissions with a written request and a copy of the course description taken from that college's catalog. This form can be obtained in the College of Arts and Sciences or in the Office of Admissions.

Matriculation
All candidates must have been accepted into and matriculated in a master's degree or certificate program within the first nine credits of study. Non-matriculated candidates may take no more than nine credits. Interim assessment of all candidates takes place at 12 credits. The university reserves the right to withdraw matriculation status from any candidates who do not maintain a GPA of 3.0 and satisfy all other College of Arts and Sciences requirements at the point of interim assessment.

Graduation Requirements
At least 30 hours of this study must be completed at the university in the prescribed program of study.