The Adolescence Education Program for teaching social studies is designed in accordance with the New York State Education Department’s certification regulations, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards, and the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), along with Advisory Board recommendations and alumni feedback. The MST Social Studies program is nationally recognized by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). The program leads to Initial Adolescence Education: Social Studies (Grades 7-12) with an extension for Middle Childhood Social Studies Education (Grades 5-6) certification.

Requirements for Admission

General Graduate Admission Requirements  Additional Admission Requirements  

1. This program is intended for candidates who do not hold a teaching certificate and who seek to earn certification for teaching Social Studies in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12) with an extension for Grades 5-6. Candidates will undergo a transcript review in order to determine the completion of prerequisites.
2. An undergraduate major comparable to a SUNY Potsdam undergraduate major in anthropology, economics, geography, history, politics or sociology, as well as six hours of a foreign language, is required for admission. Candidates planning to teach in Ontario should consult with the Center for Graduate Studies for an appropriate major.
3. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A=4.0) in the most recent 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.
4. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 in the academic major.
5. Submission of an official GRE exam (other standardized exams may be accepted on a case by case basis).
6. Submission of three professional letters of recommendation with cover sheets from persons who can provide information about the academic and teaching potential of the applicant (e.g., former or current professors, school administrator, or other professional references).
7. Adolescence Education, Social Studies program content core requirements:

• Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• An introductory level history or historical research course
• A course in geographic literacy
• Intro to Psychology
• Adolescent Psychology (GRED 677 - Development and Learning in Adolescence  is not acceptable. Must be PSYC 321  or equivalent)
• An introduction to Sociology
• An introductory level politics course
• An upper level Economics course or Equivalent
• A course in Global Studies that integrates human interactions with languages and beliefs, and identifies connections with current and historical global issues: economics, environment and political crisis
• A US Politics and/or American Government
• US History
• A course in history, politics or economics of science and technology and their impact on societal values
• History of New York State

A student who does not satisfy one or more of the above may, in some cases, be conditionally admitted.

Additional Degree Information

All degree candidates are required to successfully complete a Culminating Experience in the School of Education and Professional Studies designed to synthesize their academic experiences (GRED 670 - Culminating Experience (Project) ). A content portfolio course (GRED 684 - Secondary Social Studies Content Portfolio , 1 credit) is also required.

Candidates are required to complete all New York State teaching requirements to earn certification. This will include enrollment in @HLTH 530 - School Health (CA, SAVE, DASA)  (3 credits) and successful passing of all applicable New York State Teacher Certification Exams. These are subject to change.

Student progress is carefully monitored throughout the MST Social Studies, Adolescence program based on demonstration of appropriate knowledge, skills and dispositions. Students are provided with information on program expectations in their first semester. Students not making satisfactory progress will be counseled by their adviser and may be dropped from the program.