Adolescence Education (MSEd)

Department Co-Chairs:  Marya Grande, PhD and Kelly Harper, PhD

Degree: Master of Science in Education

Program Details

The adolescence education program provides the education necessary for teacher certification in grades 7-12. Canisius offers certification in seven disciplines at the adolescence level: English, mathematics, social studies,  Spanish, biology, chemistry, and physics. Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree with approximately 36 credit hours in the academic discipline. Candidates must also complete 3 credit hours of study, or the equivalent, of a language other than English. Students who complete certification requirements may complete additional coursework to extend their certification downward to grades 5-6 (see Middle Childhood). 

Grade Requirements

Graduate students enrolled in initial certification programs must achieve a C or above in all course requirements and a B- or above in all graduate program coursework. Failure to meet these requirements will require repeating the course &/or completing additional coursework.

Licensure Disclosure

Canisius University cannot determine whether completion of this program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements outside of New York State for the intended occupation. We advise you to contact your state licensing board or appropriate licensing entity to determine whether the program meets requirements for Professional Licensure in the state where you are located or the state in which you intend to pursue licensure. Please contact the associate dean of your school if you have further questions.

Curriculum

Required Courses for Initial Certification in Adolescence Education

Required Certification Exams for Initial Certification

New York State Teachers Certification Exams (NYSTCE)

Certification examination requirements can be found here: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/certexam.html.

Note: fingerprinting is also required.

Middle Childhood

Candidates wishing to obtain an extension to teach grades 5-6 (thus enabling candidates to teach middle childhood grades 5-9 as well as adolescence grades 7-12) must add a middle childhood extension.

Prerequisites for Adolescence 7-12 Certification in the Content Area:

1. English:  30 credit hours are required in English. Topics that need to be covered include linguistics/grammar, American Literature, World Literature, Young Adult Literature, British Literature, and writing/composition (plus electives needed to meet the credit hour requirement)
2. Math:  30 credit hours are required in Math.  Topics that need to be covered include Calculus I, II, and III, differential equations, abstract math, linear algebra, abstract algebra, geometry, and statistics. (plus electives needed to meet the credit hour requirement)
3. Biology:  30 credit hours are required in Biology.  Topics that need to be covered include botany, evolution, microbiology, biochemistry, organismal biology, ecology, physiology, cell biology, zoology, genetics, and anatomy. (plus electives needed to meet the credit hour requirement)
4. Chemistry:  30 credit hours are required in Chemistry.  Topics that need to be covered include inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. (plus electives needed to meet the credit hour requirement)
5. Physics:  30 credit hours are required in Physics.  Topics that need to be covered include general physics, classical mechanics, nuclear physics, optics, electricity/magnetism, quantum mechanics, electronics, and statistics & thermal dynamics. (plus electives needed to meet the credit hour requirement)
6. Social Studies:  30 credit hours are required in Social Studies.  Eighteen (18) credits in history are required.  Three credits are also required in each of the following areas:  geography, political science/government, cultural studies, and economics.  The remaining credits can come from other social sciences including psychology or philosophy.
7. Spanish:  30 credit hours of study in that language are required *French concentration available to graduate students with 30-credits.

Roadmap

FALL START

 Note: If Middle Childhood extension is wanted then EMC 552 and EMC 553 can be taken in the Spring and Fall.  The classes can be taken after the Student Teaching experience as well. Keep in mind that graduates students are required to be enrolled in at least 4.5 credits to be eligible for financial aid. 

Candidates wishing to take more than 3 courses per semester (or less than 2 courses) may want to discuss this with their advisor to fully understand ramifications of course offerings and financial aid implications.

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EDAD 573 needs to have the prerequisites of EDAD 572 and EDAD 534

SPRING START

Note: If Middle Childhood extension is wanted then EMC 552 and EMC 553 can be taken in the Spring and Fall.  The classes can be taken after the Student Teaching experience as well. Keep in mind that graduates students are required to be enrolled in at least 4.5 credits to be eligible for financial aid. 

Candidates wishing to take more than 3 courses per semester (or less than 2 courses) may want to discuss this with their advisor to fully understand ramifications of course offerings and financial aid implications.

¹

EDAD 573 needs to have the prerequisites of EDAD 572 and EDAD 534

Courses

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