About the Program
Teachers with New York State initial teaching certification in early childhood education may apply for admission to the master’s program in childhood education. Students who successfully complete this master of science in education program may apply for professional teaching certification from the New York State Department of Education.
Admissions Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale), or a minimum combined quantitative/verbal score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
2. New York State initial certification in early childhood. Recent graduates or those who are just completing their undergraduate program at the time of application must write in the anticipated date of certification on the admission application. Submit a copy of certification to the Elementary Education and Reading Department by the time of application for degree candidacy (after completing 6 credits and before completing 12 credits).
3. A word-processed statement addressing the following:
a) Professional goals for the specific program to which the student is applying
b) Related professional experiences.
Statements will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
1. Organization
2. Conventions of language
3. Content
Note: Please sign and date the statement.
4. Three letters of reference on special department forms that attest to the applicant’s potential as a graduate student. Please note that two references must be from college professors/instructors. Department forms may be downloaded at www.buffalostate.edu/graduateschool/admissions.
These are the minimum criteria for admission; satisfaction of these criteria does not guarantee admission to the program. In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Program Requirements
Seminar (3 credits)
EDU 501 Seminar for the Reflective Teacher (to be taken early in the program)
Multicultural Perspectives and Diversity Courses (6 credits)
Select one course from category A and one course from category B:
Category A
EDF 500 Multicultural Education
EDU 620 Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary School Classrooms
SSE 640 The Sociohistorical Context and Issues of Diversity in American Schooling
Category B
EDF 641 Social Foundations of Education
EDF 645 Social Influences on Teaching and Learning
EDU/EXE 577 Teaching Individuals with Exceptionalities in Regular Classroom
EXE 500 Individuals with Special Needs (cannot be taken by Buffalo State graduates)
SOC 506 Minorities in American Culture
Foundation Courses (3 credits)
Select one course from the following:
EDF 503 Educational Psychology
EDF 528 Human Relations
EDF 611 Evaluation in Education
Curriculum Courses (6 credits)
Select two courses from the following:
EDU 534 Holistic Curriculum
EDU 551 Improving Mathematics in the Elementary School
EDU 554 Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDU 574 Elementary School Curriculum
EDU 640 Conflict Resolution and Peaceable Schools
EDU 671 Constructing Science Understanding in an Elementary Classroom
EDU 672 Microcomputer in the Instructional Program
Literacy Course (3 credits)
Select one course from the following:
EDU 513 Survey of Basic Concepts of Elementary Reading Instruction
EDU 535 Teaching Writing in the Elementary School
EDU 546 Improvement of Instruction in Language Arts
EDU 609 Improving Reading in the Content Areas
EDU 612 Developing Literacy through Literature
Methods and Practicum Course (6 credits)
EDU 682 Enhancing and Integrating Elementary Math, Science, and Social Studies (6)
Elective Course (3 credits)
Research and Master’s Project (6 credits)
EDF 689 Methods and Techniques of Educational Research
EDU 690 Master’s Project
Total Required Credit Hours (36 credits)
All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.