About the Program
Career, Technical, and Science Education Department
Bacon Hall 122
(716) 878-4717
https://ctse.buffalostate.edu/
Accredited: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (formerly NCATE)
Enrollment in all teacher education programs follows the guidelines for "Admission to Teacher Education Programs" found in this catalog. Applicants who do not yet meet all admissions criteria should consult with the department.
Professional Licensure: This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification; please check for certification requirements in all other states.
This Master of Science in Science Education program is designed for individuals holding an undergraduate degree in a core science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geology, or Physics). Candidates who complete 31-37 credit hours (which includes student teaching and a master's project) in education coursework may qualify for NYSED initial certification allowing them to teach science in grades 7-12 in New York State.
Candidates should consult the Teacher Certification website for current seminars and workshops.
Admission Requirements
1. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree with sufficient academic background in the prospective area of teaching to take graduate work in the discipline. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the department's program coordinator for a transcript review and a pre-application interview.
2. The following criteria must also be met:
-Official transcripts from all institutions that the candidate has attended.
-Overall GPA 3.0 or higher.
-Proficiency in a foreign language through the 102 level (one year of foreign language).
-Science certification area (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geology or Physics) GPA of 3.0 or higher.
-A minimum of thirty credit hours in the science discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Geology, or Physics) in which certification is sought.
3. Statement of intent that should include:
-reasons for pursuing graduate study in science education;
-career aspirations;
-special interests within the field;
-any unusual features of background that might need explanation or be of interest to the program's admissions committee.
4. Letter of reference that includes an assessment of the applicant's ability to work with others.
Buffalo State Quick Admit
For candidates with undergraduate degrees from SUNY Buffalo State, Science Education has agreements with the content science departments to "Buffalo State Fast Track" their majors wishing to become certified to teach. Students in the following degree programs at SUNY Buffalo State who meet the above admission requirements can move directly into the M.S.Ed. program with this Buffalo State Fast Track option:
-B.A. Biology
-B.S. Chemistry
-B.A. Geology; B.S. Earth Sciences
-B.A. Physics; B.S. Physics
Official transcripts are not required for candidates on Buffalo State Fast Track.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Required Education and Science Education Courses (15-21 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SED502 SECONDARY SCIENCE EDUCATION TEACHING: THEORY, CONTENT AND PEDAGOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
SED545 LITERACY FOR TEACHING SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
SED650 CURRICULAR RESEARCH TOPICS IN SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
SED664 TEACHING SCIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
EXE500 INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS | 3 - Credit Hours
SPF503 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU609 RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN ADOLESCENT LITERACY | 3 - Credit Hours
Practica (13 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SED677 INITIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE | 6 - Credit Hours
SED678 INITIAL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE | 6 - Credit Hours
SED679 SEMINAR IN SCIENCE EDUCATION | 1 - Credit Hours
Culminating Project (3 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SED690 MASTER'S PROJECT | 3 - Credit Hours
Residency Program Requirements
Completion requirement
Preparatory Semester: Courses taken or undergraduate equivalents verified (3-9 credit hours)
Complete course(s) and earn 3 - 9 credit(s) from the following:
SPF500 MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION | 3 - Credit Hours
SPF503 EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
OR SPF529 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
EDU620 TEACHING AND LEARNING IN DIVERSE CLASSROOMS | 3 - Credit Hours
Required Courses (9 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
EDU609 RESEARCH AND PRACTICE IN ADOLESCENT LITERACY | 3 - Credit Hours
SED545 LITERACY FOR TEACHING SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
SED650 CURRICULAR RESEARCH TOPICS IN SCIENCE | 3 - Credit Hours
Residency Year (22 credit hours)
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
SED502 SECONDARY SCIENCE EDUCATION TEACHING: THEORY, CONTENT AND PEDAGOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
SED664 TEACHING SCIENCE WITH TECHNOLOGY | 3 - Credit Hours
SED677 INITIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE | 6 - Credit Hours
SED678 INITIAL HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE | 6 - Credit Hours
SED679 SEMINAR IN SCIENCE EDUCATION | 1 - Credit Hours
SED690 MASTER'S PROJECT | 3 - Credit Hours
Courses in both residency and non-residency programs are equivalent until final residency year when Methods of Teaching courses (SED 502, 664 and 690), are grouped into Semester I and Semester II of the Residency Year. Hours of practice in Semester I courses are increased to meet 500 hour requirement as are the 500 hours in the pratica, “teaching experience” courses, 677, 678) . Catalog descriptions of all included courses and catalog modifications are shown in MOU Appendix D. Courses in Residency are designated with an “R” and additional requirements specified.
Program Overview
The SUNY Buffalo State graduate residency program provides a residency track option for qualified candidates who are selected by the faculty from their demonstrated competence in the first year of their Master’s degree programs. In first year, course sequences are parallel for both non-resident track and resident track candidates to allow faculty and candidates to assess their suitability for the full residency track experience in year two. Rather than the standard 150 hours of field experiences and 100 hours of student teaching located in courses throughout the currently registered programs, residents enjoy 1000 hours of experience in graduated difficulty from field-based co-teaching focused on practicing specific pedagogies to full “teacher of record” responsibilities in the final months of their full year residency experience. The value of this model is in allowing resident applicants to be paid for working full time in schools while they complete their required coursework. The coursework remaining for the residency year complements their work with Mentor teachers and is accomplished in tandem with their classroom experiences.
Admission Requirements
Candidates who wish to pursue the residency option toward a recommendation for certification must be recommended by program faculty either upon first application to the program or during the first year of the curriculum prior to the residency year.
31-37 Total Credit Hours