SUNY Cortland prepares more elementary and pre-school teachers than any other public institution in New York state. That’s because of the strength of the university’s Childhood/Early Childhood Education Department. This accelerated program, with coursework offered exclusively online, is intended for people who want to pursue a career in childhood education, teaching first through sixth grade.
Under the guidance of our expert childhood education faculty, teacher candidates will build on a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences as they incorporate theory into practice. In just 12 months of full-time graduate study, including extensive school-based field experiences and two quarters of full-time student teaching, candidates can complete this highly marketable CAEP-accredited degree.
Starting with full-time summer enrollment through the completion of student teaching, candidates will delve into instructional options for the key topics of mathematics, science, literacy and social studies. Teacher candidates will also explore technology, research, social advocacy and working with diverse learners. Extensive practicum experiences provide the opportunity to apply theories in child development, educational foundations and classroom organization and management to real-world situations.
A fully online curriculum
You’ll explore instructional options for mathematics, science, literacy and social studies. You’ll also master technology, research, social advocacy and working with diverse learners.
| Course |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
| EDU 510: Inquiry into Teaching, Curriculum and Student Learning+25 hrs field work |
X |
|
|
X |
|
| EDU 656: Classroom Applications of Child Development |
|
|
X |
X |
|
| EDU 512: Teaching Elementary School Math |
X |
|
|
|
X |
| EDU 513: Teaching Elementary School Science |
X |
|
|
|
X |
| EDU 514: Teaching Elementary School Social Studies |
X |
|
|
X |
|
| EDU 551: eLearning & the American Classroom |
|
X |
|
X |
|
| EDU 657: Elem. School Practicum & Research Seminar+150 hrs field work |
X |
|
X |
|
|
| LIT 511: Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades |
X |
|
|
|
X |
| LIT 516: Teaching Literacy in the Intermediate Grades |
X |
|
X |
|
|
| FSA 510/515: Teaching the Special Education Learner in the General Ed Classroom |
X |
|
X |
X |
X |
| EDU 690: Student Teaching I |
X |
|
X |
|
|
| EDU 691: Student Teaching II |
X |
|
X |
|
|
| EDU 698: Culminating Research Proj & Seminar |
X |
|
X |
|
|
Below are popular pathways for earning an M.S.T. in Childhood Education.
The accelerated schedule begins in the summer and enables students to complete the entire program within a 12-month period. This path is ideal for students who intend to focus primarily on their graduate studies and who have completed all pre-requisites for the program.
- EDU 512
- EDU 513
- EDU 514
- EDU 657+150 hrs (2 days/wk)*
- LIT 516
- Student Teaching
- EDU 690
- EDU 691
- EDU 698
*The hours refer to required field experience hours that will accompany EDU 510 and EDU 657.
The full-time schedule begins in the fall and enables students to maintain full-time enrollment (i.e., 9 credits or more) throughout the entire program and complete the program in less than 18 months. This path is ideal for students who have received a scholarship or grant that requires full-time enrollment. For more information about graduate funding opportunities and enrollment requirements, please contact our Financial Aid Office. Students needing to complete program pre-requisites may still be eligible to begin the full-time schedule.
- EDU 510+25 hrs*
- EDU 514
- LIT 511
- FSA 510/515
- LIT 516
- EDU 657+150 hrs (2 days/wk)*
- EDU 656
- Student Teaching
- EDU 690
- EDU 691
- EDU 698
*The hours refer to required field experience hours that will accompany EDU 510 and EDU 657.
These part-time schedules are ideal for graduate students with full-time employment and may be started in the fall, spring, or summer terms. When following one of these schedules, students will typically complete 2 courses at a time and can expect to complete the program in 18 – 24 months. To accommodate the working hours of most students, class times in the part-time schedule are always at 4:15pm or later. Students needing to complete program pre-requisites may still be eligible to begin the part-time schedules.
- EDU 657+150 hrs (2 days/wk)*
- FSA 510/515
- Student Teaching
- EDU 690
- EDU 691
- EDU 698
*The hours refer to required field experience hours that will accompany EDU 510 and EDU 657.
- LIT 516
- EDU 657+150 hrs (2 days/wk)*
- Student Teaching
- EDU 690
- EDU 691
- EDU 698
*The hours refer to required field experience hours that will accompany EDU 510 and EDU 657.
- EDU 657+150 hrs (2 days/wk)*
- LIT 516
- Student Teaching
- EDU 690
- EDU 691
- EDU 698
*The hours refer to required field experience hours that will accompany EDU 510 and EDU 657.
In-person requirements
You’ll complete two requirements in person:
-
175 hours of school-based field experiences
-
Two eight-week, full-time student teaching assignments at two levels
You will receive support from the university’s Field Experience and School Partnerships (FESP) Office in order to help arrange placements near you.
Strong alumni network
Many of our graduates are among the knowledgeable and caring teaching staff who support your field experiences.
Their guidance provides you the opportunity to apply child development theories, content mastery and classroom management to real-world situations. In short, you become a part of SUNY Cortland’s proud teaching legacy.
Local residency program option
Our Professional Development School partnership with the Homer and Dryden school districts can support your quest to be a teacher if you live near Cortland.
You work for a full year in several classrooms, becoming part of a nearby school community. You begin with two sessions of practicum — 25-45 hours in summer and 150 hours in fall — then apply those rich practicum experiences as a student teacher for the spring semester.
Career potential
Graduates are prepared to teach in the elementary school classroom, first through sixth grade. Students also benefit from our annual Teacher Recruitment Day, a career-focused event that takes place in the spring and draws many school districts from across the country.
