Master of Science in Education (MSEd)
Master of Science in Education
If you’re a teacher in New York State or would like to become one, the next step is obtaining a Master of Science in Education to grow your skills as an educator. Within five years of becoming initially certified by the state, you will need a master’s degree in order to continue teaching, so start your future today in our incredible Division of Education!
At the Mount, you can choose to get your MSEd in Childhood Education, Adolescence Education, Special Education, or Literacy, as well as take on Middle School Extensions or dual certifications.
Why get your MSEd?
Here’s what makes our MSEd program at the Mount unique:
- Excellence in Education: The Mount has long been renowned for our teacher education program. In fact, we often get calls from local school districts looking for our graduates, as they know how well they’ve been trained as educators. Early fieldwork opportunities and practical knowledge you can put into practice in your own classroom are just some of the best aspects of this stellar program.
- Community focused: From building our own internal community with small class sizes and approachable professors to partnering with local school districts and community centers for fieldwork, you’ll feel right at home in our community. Our focus on education as a service will encourage and support you in your goals of making a difference in the lives of others.
- Opportunities for advancement: Those at the master’s level have the opportunity to become dual certified (for example, childhood and special education or dual literacy for Birth-6 and 5-12). Additionally, the Mount also offers an Advanced Certificate in Gifted Education to further your studies.
Are you a Mount graduate? Don’t forget, Mount alumni receive 25% off of graduate tuition!
The Mount’s Education programs earned accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)* and by the following professional agencies: Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), International Literacy Association (ILA), National Council of Social Studies (NCSS), National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Learn more about our accreditation here.
*In 2018, the Mount’s Education programs earned accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). At this time, Mount Saint Mary College is currently pursuing accreditation of its educator preparation programs by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Pursuant to §52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the educator preparation programs offered by Mount Saint Mary College are considered to be continuously accredited for purposes of meeting the New York State requirement that all such programs maintain continuous accreditation.
Changing Careers?
A note for those changing careers: If you’re not already certified in education, you may feel apprehensive about attending graduate school in Education. Don’t be! You will be in class with other career changers who are new to teaching as well, so you won’t be the only one, and we’ll make sure you feel confident going into your new career.
"I had recently gone back to school to finish my bachelor’s degree in history after taking several years off. I knew the next step to becoming a teacher would be a master’s degree, as I did not take the traditional path of obtaining my certification during my undergrad. I was nervous, but I wanted to teach more than I was afraid of failure at the graduate level." - Frank Pasquino '16 MSEd '20, Special Education Social Studies Teacher
What to expect as an MSEd student
The number of credits you will need to take will depend on whether or not you have prior certification in teaching. Typically, we encourage students to take 2-3 courses per semester, and most graduate from the program within 2-2 ½ years, depending on prior certification credits needed. All of our courses take place in the evening or online, keeping the working professional in mind.
No prior certification needed:
Childhood Education
This program is designed for those who do not yet have certification in education, but have a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts subject (ie. math, English, history, etc.) and wish to become an elementary school teacher. Part of your studies will include a required student teaching placement to practice your teaching skills. If you successfully complete the program, you will be recommended by the Mount for education certification by New York State and take a series of exams to become certified.
You can also choose to receive dual certification in Childhood Education and Early Childhood (Birth-6), Childhood Education and Special Education, or Childhood Education and Literacy.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Transcript evaluation needed
Learn about MSEd Childhood Education academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Transcript evaluation required
- At least a 3.0 GPA
Learn about MSEd Dual Childhood Education and Early Childhood academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Transcript evaluation required
- At least a 3.0 GPA
Learn about MSEd Dual Childhood Education and Special Education academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Transcript evaluation required
- At least a 3.0 GPA
Learn about MSEd Dual Childhood Education and Literacy academic requirements and courses here.
Adolescence Education
This program is designed for those who do not yet have certification in education, but have a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts subject (ie. math, English, history, etc.) and wish to become a high school teacher. Part of your studies will include a required student teaching placement to practice your teaching skills. If you successfully complete the program, you will be recommended by the Mount for education certification by New York State and take a series of exams to become certified.
You can also choose to receive dual certification in Adolescence Education and Special Education or Adolescence Education and Literacy.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Transcript evaluation required
- At least a 3.0 GPA
Learn about MSEd Adolescence Education academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Transcript evaluation required
- At least a 3.0 GPA
Learn about MSEd Dual Adolescence Education and Special Education academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- Transcript evaluation required
- At least a 3.0 GPA
Learn about MSEd Dual Adolescence Education and Literacy academic requirements and courses here.
Alternate Teacher B
This program is designed for those who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree related to education, but were never certified. Candidates for this program will only be recommended to New York State for certification if they have a teaching contract with a high-need district experiencing a teacher shortage.
Credits: 42
Prior Certification Needed:
Special Education
This program is designed for those who already have certification in Childhood or Adolescence Education in New York State, but would like to be additionally certified in Special Education. You can be recommended for certification in either Childhood or Adolescence Special Education upon completion of the program. Throughout the program, you will learn how to work with and advocate for those in your classroom with mild disabilities as well as techniques for behavior management and instruction.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Special Education Grades 1-6 academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Special Education Grades 7-12 academic requirements and courses here.
Literacy Education
This program is designed for those who already have certification in Childhood or Adolescence Education in New York State, but would like to be additionally certified in Literacy. Through this program, you will be trained in promoting and guiding students in the development of literacy skills, including writing and critical thinking. You can be recommended for certification in either Childhood or Adolescence Literacy upon completion of the program. Plus, B-6 and 5-12 can be completed in one year!
You can also choose to receive dual certification in Literacy and Special Education or both Childhood and Adolescence Literacy.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Literacy Birth-Grade 6 academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
- Learn about MSEd Literacy Grades 5-12 academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Dual Literacy Birth-Grade 6 and Grades 5-12 academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Dual Literacy Birth-Grade 6 and Special Education academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Dual Literacy Grades 5-12 and Special Education academic requirements and courses here.
Middle School Extension
This program is designed for those who are already certified in childhood or adolescence education and have a bachelor’s degree in a content area (ie. math, English, history, etc.) who wish to be further certified to teach middle grades (5-6 or 7-9). Through this program, candidates are taught how to work developmentally and instructionally with young adolescents. You can be recommended for certification in Middle School Extension upon completion of the program.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Middle School Extension (Grades 5-6) academic requirements and courses here.
Requirements:
- Initial teaching certification required
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution
- At least a 3.0 GPA
- Copy of passing score on the edTPA (or state approved equivalent)
Learn about MSEd Middle School Extension (Grades 7-9) academic requirements and courses here.
Lauren Skinner-Dennis '17 MSEd '20 6th Grade ELA AIS Teacher for South Middle School, Newburgh"Education is a lot more than just teaching math, science, ELA, Social Studies, and all that good stuff. Education, especially special education, is the relationships you build and the bonds you create with your students...While going through my teacher education at Mount Saint Mary College, the most important aspect of my education was the relationship and bonds that I had with my professors. That is how I learned, first hand, how students learn best, because it was how I learned best."
Be prepared for your future
With a Master of Science in Education degree, you will be prepared to teach in the field of your study and be certified under New York State. You will also be qualified for leadership positions within your organization, particularly within administration, consulting, and training.
Here’s how some of our MSEd alumni are using their degrees:
- Joseph Polvere ’00 MSEd ’01, 6th Grade Social Studies teacher at Demarest Middle School
- Torrance Harvey MSEd ’03, Mayor of Newburgh
- Nancy Benfer ’04 MSEd ’13, Principal of Bishop Dunn Memorial School
- Nicole Havrilla ’14 MSEd ’16, Reading Specialist at Washingtonville School District
Rebecca Norman
Meet the Division of Education Faculty
Get to know the rest of our incredible Education professors!