MASTER OF ARTS IN THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL STUDIES WITH PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
This program shapes teacher-leaders in social studies education in middle and high schools. This program can be used for New York State Professional Certification for those individuals who hold Initial Certification in New York and have the necessary credentials.
This program is designed for current public and private school teachers looking to improve their practice and step deeper into the field of social studies education. It is also serves recent graduates who want more experience before taking a full-time position. The program has required coursework but enough flexibility to support the growth and interests of individual students. Students take courses in social studies teaching and social studies content. They also create a set of professional development coursework that support their interests and needs. The program culminates with a thesis activity related to teaching practice.
Most students either complete the program in one year as a full-time student or two years as a part-time student.
Admissions Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.
Master of Arts
- Points/Credits: 32
- Entry Terms: Summer/Fall
Certification
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- NY State Professional: Social Studies 7-12
Application Deadlines
- Spring: N/A
- Summer/Fall (Priority): January 15
- Summer/Fall (Final): April 1
* The final deadline for this program has been extended to May 1, 2024*
Supplemental Application Requirements/Comments
- Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume
- Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed
- Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
- $75 Application Fee
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Must hold Initial Certification
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.
The Master of Arts degree offers the following three tracks:
Master of Arts
This program leads only to New York State professional certification for those teachers already holding New York State initial certification. Program faculty cannot advise students about certification in other states or alternative New York State pathways to certification.
The program is designed for experienced teachers and those engaged in private school teaching. It requires a minimum of 32 points and a master’s integrative project. This degree program focuses on social studies teaching in middle and high schools and fulfills the requirements for New York State Professional Teacher Certification.
Master of Arts in Social Studies with Initial Teacher Certification
This program leads only to New York State initial teacher certification. Program faculty cannot advise students about certification in other states or alternative New York State pathways to certification.
This program requires a minimum of 38 points and an integrative portfolio project. It is designed for those with little or no experience teaching secondary social studies. Successful completion of this program of study leads to the M.A. degree and recommendation for New York State Initial Certification (grades 7-12). Student teaching is undertaken in cooperating middle and high schools, in the New York Metropolitan area. A committee of social studies faculty and cooperating professionals from the schools to which students are assigned supervise and evaluate the student teacher’s work.
In order to complete all degree requirements successfully, this program typically demands two terms of the academic year and two summer sessions, which can be taken in the same summer.
Master of Arts (Intensive Summer Master's Program-INSTEP)
This program leads only to New York State Professional Teacher Certification for those teachers already holding New York State initial certification. Program faculty cannot advise students about certification in other states or alternative New York State pathways to certification.
InStep is a three-year, summer Master of Arts degree. It requires 32 points and a master’s thesis. It is designed for teachers from both public and private schools.
For all programs leading to teacher certification, New York State Education Department (NYSED) mandates teacher certification requirements that are needed for program completion and graduation which are listed in the Office of Teacher Education section of the catalog.