M.A. degree program in education: English teacher (7-12)
HEGIS code 1501.01
NYS SED program code 26811 (Options A and B); 26810 (Option C)

Program Heads

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The M.A. programs in English education leading to Initial Certification and/or Professional Certification for English teachers grades 7-12 are designed for students who plan to teach or are currently teaching. The programs offer experienced and beginning teachers opportunities to develop their classroom practice and to expand their knowledge of English education and the field of education as a whole. Courses are taught by nationally known scholars, many of whom have had experience teaching at secondary levels. Our programs combine rigorous and rewarding study in literature and composition with intensive study of curriculum, pedagogy, and schools.

The profession of teacher education is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Therefore, program requirements are subject to change. All students should consult with the Department of Secondary Education for the current requirements.

Matriculation requirements

Applicants must offer at least 15 credits in advanced courses in English. Applicants must also offer (a) or (b) or (c):
(a) New York State Initial Certification in teaching English for grades 7-12; or courses in education that meet the New York State standards for the pedagogical core. These courses include study of the following: history of education and philosophy of education or principles of education or educational sociology; educational psychology or developmental psychology or psychology of adolescence or adolescent development; classroom management; teaching students with special needs and English language learners; 6 credits in literacy and language acquisition; curriculum development and methods of assessing student learning; uses of technology in the classroom; methods of teaching English at appropriate age levels; 100 hours of fieldwork; 300 hours or 40 full days of student teaching English at appropriate grade levels, or one year of full-time teaching English at appropriate grade levels, and passage of a New York State-approved Teacher Performance Assessment.

(b) an undergraduate degree with a major in English, or appropriate coursework in English;

(c) an undergraduate major in English, the Content Specialty Test CST, an approved 200 hours preparation program and a position at an approved public school through which students can accrue on-the-job training to substitute for student teaching.

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

Applicants who have not completed all the specific course requirements are given individual consideration and may be admitted with conditions, with the approval of the head of the program in English education and the chair or graduate deputy of the English Department.

International applicants for whom English is a second language are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 650 on the paper-based test or 280 on the computer-based test or 114 on the internet-based test, before being considered for admission.

Students should note additional requirements found in the sections "Admission" and "Academic Regulations and Procedures" in the Graduate Bulletin.

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 Coordinator.

Degree requirements

Option (A): 30 credits
English (18 credits)
Students who possess Initial Certification in teaching English or its equivalent must complete the following courses in English: English 7010X and 7011X.
In addition, and with advisement from the chair or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete courses in four of the six areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: Each of the four courses must come from a different area and students may not take SEED 7507X.

Education (12 credits):
Students must also complete 12 credits in courses in Education as follows:.
Research in English Education: SEED 7602T; Advanced Composition: SEED 7603X; Mindfulness: SEED 7504X; Development and SEL: SEED 7507X.

Option (B): 30-40 credits
English (15 credits):
Students who do not possess Initial Certification in teaching English or its equivalent must complete the following courses in English: English 7010X, English 7011X and English 7507X.
In addition, and with advisement from the chair or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete courses in two of the six areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: Each of the two courses must come from a different area and students may not take a course from area 5.

Education Core (12 credits):
The following four education courses are required unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous coursework.
Foundations: SEED 7500X; Mindfulness: SEED 7504X; Special Education: SEED 7671X; Development and SEL: SEED 7507X.

Student Teaching (4 credits):
The following two student teaching courses are required unless candidates have a New York State waiver: SEED 7542T, and SEED 7543T. (SEED 7500X and SEED 7600T must be completed before student teaching). SEED 7543T is not required if the candidate is teaching English full-time at an appropriate grade level.

Students teaching with a New York State Internship Certificate must be enrolled in either SEED 7542T or SEED 7001T during every semester that they are teaching under the certificate.

English Education (9 credits):
The following English education courses, or English education courses approved by the program coordinator, are required in the stated sequence unless candidates have taken one or more as part of previous coursework: SEED 7600T, SEED 7601T, SEED 7602T.

Option (C): 36 credits
Students who are teaching or have secured a position teaching English and who hold an Alt B Certificate must complete the following courses in English: English 7010X, English 7011X and English 7507X.
In addition, and with advisement from the chair or graduate deputy of the English department, students must complete courses in three of the six areas of study listed under the M.A. in English in the Bulletin, as follows: Each of the three courses must come from a different area and students may not take a course from area 5.

Students pursuing an Alt B Certificate may substitute their teaching job for student teaching but upon consultation with their advisor must still register for SEED 6002T and must take SEED 7500X, SEED 7600T, SEED 7601T, SEED 7602T, SEED 7671X, and SEED 7507X.

All students must pass a written comprehensive examination administered by the English Department at the end of their program. Information about the comprehensive examination is in the section of the "Academic Regulations and Procedures."

Courses in the English Department and the School of Education offered toward the degree must be 7000-level courses.

Students pursuing an M.A. English Teacher must have taken or must take courses that meet the New York State and National Council of Teachers of English NCTE English standards. Transcript review will determine what appropriate course work students must take.